Breastfeeding question?

Question

I have been breastfeeding my six week old son and recently the health visitor advised to let him empty the right breast, wind him, then offer him the left one. But how do I know when my breast is empty? and also how can i tell if my son is actually drinking and not just suckling on my nipple? (which im convinced the cheeky little boy is doing)

Answer 1

I figure if my son (7 weeks) pulls off the breast and then I offer him the second breast and he takes it, that he has "emptied" the other. When I think my boy is just playing silly buggars i put my finger near his mouth n gentle pull on my breasts skin n if he sucks it right back in I know he is feeding, if I can pull if neally all the way out of his mouth before he tries to suck it back in I know he is being cheeky.

Answer 2

When your baby is actually drinking, you should be able to hear him swallowing. It sounds a little different from adult swallowing, so the lactation consultant had to point it out to me. Also, you can tell that your breast is empty when if feels soft and pliable instead of firm and heavy. You will become better at determining this as time goes on. Often, the baby breaks off his latch after he has drained the breast, but if he has been at it a long time and you no longer hear swallowing or he seems to be falling asleep and you need to empty the other side, you can gently break his latch with your pinky finger and then burp and switch him.

Answer 3

Trust me-- you will know when your breat is full of milk, it will sometimes leak a little and its funny how that happens when the baby appears hungry.

Latch him on and give all you can, do what the health visitor suggested but if he seems to be falling asleep and using it as a comfort rather than a feed, get his hand and stroke it inside this is called the 'strike up' method and he will start sucking again.

If he continues to use it as comfort, withdraw and use your instinct. The breast Demand and supply and the more he goes to the breast thenmore milk you will make.
Your diet is important too though, to make rich milk you need to eat regularly and always keep a glass of water aside when feeding. empty one breast and always offer the other, even if hes only on the other for a few minutes you need to drain them both to minimise engorgement creating pain and infection of blocked milk ducts.

Plus he will put on weight at a steady pace and your breasts will offer nutrition.

Good luck

Answer 4

You can never really tell when your breast is empty but it would feel rather less full, you'll get the feel for it the longer you feed. It's always good to let them feed till they're done on one side or they may just end up having the watery drink on both!
As for the using you as a dummy ... haha ... been there! Have a look at him whilst you know he is definatly drinking & u'll see just above his ear, kind of near his temple, his head is moving, that's when he's feeding properly, when he's just suckling he'll probably be not as latched on & if it continues beware for sore boobs! Listen as well to the noises he makes! Give it time & u'll know his master moves better than anyone!

Answer 5

It took me a while to get to grips with this one! My little madam would be an hour and a half if I let her, then fall off and snooze for a half hour before deciding she was hungry again! First of all, I don't think there is any point in offering the second boob if baby is content after one, just offer him the other next time round.

You will get to learn and recognise your babies sucking. There will be a moment or 2 of vigourous sucking (to stimulate the milk) when he first latches on, followed by a longer period of regular sucking (where he is actually feeding). At a young age baby may stop for breaks, but watch for a change in sucking to a gentler pace and rhythm, indicating comfort sucking. This probably indicates that he is done and using you as a dummy to fall asleep!

Your boob will feel softer, possibly more comfortable, and your son won't be dribbling so much of the milk as the feed progresses. Watch your little one and get to know his signs. As he gets bigger he will make more obvious signs that he wants the other boob please mum, but to start with it's observation and second guessing. Which is fine, he didn't arrive with a personalised instruction manual!!

Answer 6

I was advised of this as well, however, I chose not to adhere to the advice. Mainly bc my son would just sit and suckle for long periods of time. This was teaching him to prolong the nursing session. Instead, I offered his the left for a set amount of time, allowed him to burp and then if he was still hungry, I gave him the opposite breast. The up side of this was my milk production was GREAT - I could pump 6-8 oz a time from each breast! Good Luck

Answer 7

I think that with health visitors, you need to hear what they say, then go and do your own thing...I'm convinced they know nothing about actually having a baby around 24/7- mine has never been useful- her only answer has ever been 'make a doctors appointment', she has no clue what to say when I am asking her advice.
You know your baby best, so feed him however you feel comfortable. To find out if he is feeding, or using you as a dummy, feed him in a QUIET room...if you can hear him softly swallowing, he is drinking, but if there are no sounds to suggest that he is swallowing anything, he is using you as a dummy.

Answer 8

Before you nurse your baby feel your breast to see how heavy/full it feels. Then nurse him. You will be able to telll the difference. If he is drinking you should be able to hear him gulp. If you're not sure then stop nursing. If he is still fussy then he is still hungry! He'll let you know I'm sure of it. Some women nurse one breast at a time because they are not sure what's half and half (for the time). I do it occasionally. I hope this helps and congrats on your baby!

~Proud Mom of a 6 Month Old Baby Girl~

Answer 9

You can tell if he's drinking or just sucking by listening for swallows. He should swallow after 4 or 5 sucks if he's still drinking.
As far as knowing your breast is empty- you can try pumping afterwards to see if there's still a lot left. The breast should get softer as it empties.

Answer 10

Feed on one side until the breast feels comfortably empty. you will never know exactly when its empty just see how it feels
.Then offer the other side, if you little one is too full or sleepy to take it just start on that side next time.

I could always tell which side to start on because it felt lopsided and i started to lean (only kidding)

When breast feeding is fully established you don't get the filling and emptying sensations quite the same and your body just makes milk when required its amazing!!