So I've only been nursing for 5 days and so far everything is going well. Sometimes by baby only "empties" one breast and doesn't want the other one even when I try and offer it to him. Other times he takes it and "empties" it as well. Anyway I want to know that when he only takes one side, should I pump the other side or just offer that one first at the next feeding. What I've been doing is pumping it if he doesn't want it but should I be? The reason I pump it is because of engorgement and well I was afraid that if I didn't get rid of it from one side it can mess up my milk production from that one side. Sorry I'm just new at the breastfeeding thing. I wasn't able to breastfeed my daughter so this is new to me!!!
2007-06-04 12:40:37 · 14 answers · asked by I smile because of them ♥ 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Just start with the full side next time, if you need to pump for comfort only pump 1minute. If you continue to pump it empty then you will produce that much more milk and if your baby doesn't need it then you will be always pumping the other side, and engorgement will be worse, however if you want to store the extra milk or donate it then by all means do so. Also, I was told by the latation consultant not to feed from the other side until the first is empty since the hind milk is what your baby needs, the beginining milk is foremilk which isn't as fattening and it takes a several minutes of nursing for hindmilk to come out. But you only produce as much as is needed so it won't mess it up to start on the next side next, that's what I do and what I was told, some good books are Breastfeeding for dummies, The womanly art of breastfeeding, and La Leche Leagues Question and Answers. And call your lactation consultant if you have one they are a great help with questions. Oh and if your baby it's still sucking and it's empty (you're never truly empty) but they may just be sucking to comfort themselves not for food, and that's not a problem, and don't give up, give it 2weeks, after that any initial comfort disappears (as long as baby is latched well) Good luck!
2007-06-04 12:58:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on the birth of your baby and on the excellent decision to breastfeed!
You can do whatever you are comfortable with.
Breastfeeding is a supply and demand thing...so if you pump...you're body will produce more milk. You can always store the milk in freezer bags for future use.
Or you can offer that breast first. Personally, I never had the luxury of excess milk...lol my little kidlet ate everything there was...all the time.
If it were me...I'd probably pump it ...just to have some stored, relieve engorgement, and to ensure abundant production. Triple Bonus!! lol :)
Good Luck!!!
And Congratulations again!
I'm also a member of the group mentioned above. It's an excellent source for information and support. If you have any questions or need any help...please do go to the link. :)
2007-06-04 19:47:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Really you can do either. If you don't pump the other side then just offer it first at the next feeding. If you want to pump to have some milk stored for later that is just fine too. Just be sure he feeds from both breasts equally--1 one feeding and the other breast the next feeding.
2007-06-04 19:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by jilldaniel_wv 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I did the same thing, but when I called the lactation concultant she said to just pump enough to feel comfortable. More pumping means more milk and that is the last thing we need if baby can feel full off of one breast. Switch breast so the next time baby wants to eat offer the breast they didn't drink from the last time
2007-06-04 19:45:21 · answer #4 · answered by rose 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when breastfeeding you can feed one breast and next time feed from other breast or you can stop your son about half way through and start on the other but if you do pump the better the more milk your body will supply for your son. either way it is up to you in what you want to do. I was not able to pump for either of my kids. I made enough milk for my daghter for 15 months and after 4 days with my son not being able to make enough he had to be put on formula. my son gets sick easy my daughter barley ever gets sick. she is very small but all she does is eat and healthy foods all the time.
2007-06-04 20:26:46 · answer #5 · answered by mea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you pump the other side you are signaling your body to make more milk, so it will continue to make enough milk for the baby and for you to pump. If you actually need the pumped milk that's fine but if you don't you are really just making the engorgement worse.
If the baby only takes one side that's fine. Just offer the more full breast first for your own comfort and to keep your supply more even. It doesn't really matter which breast he had last, just offer the more full one unless you start becoming lopsided.
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http://www.kelllymom.com
2007-06-04 19:44:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
mostly very good advice here so far
only don't feel like you need to put on the other breast before he has emptied the first!!....the composition of the milk changes during the feeding meaning if he is nursing well on one breast then he is taking the hind milk also
this is good
so just start him the opposite breast at the next feeding or pump the untouched breast while he is nursing and you can start building a great supply of frozen milk!
2007-06-04 20:44:20 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offer it first next time. Also, try switching him from one breast to the other sooner, it seems like he gets full before you switch him to the other side. You can always go back and forth as many times as you need, so if you start with one side, feed for a short time, then offer the other, feed for a short time, and he's still hungry, then you can always start back with the first side again... does that make sense? Good luck! Dont worry, you'll get the hang of it.
2007-06-04 19:44:54 · answer #8 · answered by violetpikkles 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dont apologize, you are doing great. What you do is feed partially and then stop and burp and then switch to the other side. About 5 mintues per side and then if the baby is still hungry you can do a couple more minutes on each side. Pretty soon you will you have an idea of how long on each side so you only have to switch once... but at first you just keep going back and forth, trying to keep it even
2007-06-04 19:52:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just start with that side on the next feeding. By pumping until you empty it, you aren't allowing your baby to set the supply and demand balance. If you are uncomfortable, just express enough to take the edge off of your discomfort and start with that breast next time.
2007-06-04 21:08:36 · answer #10 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋