Nursing from both sides
By Jo-Anne Lawless, HCA, LC

Q. My son is now 8 weeks old. He has never nursed from both sides at one sitting. I don't think he empties one side completely. He nurses for 5-10 minutes and has had enough. He will burp and then take a few more sips and that is it. He is gaining weight and growing very well. My question is instead of offering the same breast after a burp, would I be better off to offer the second breast?

A. Yes, it would be best to offer both sides at each feeding. If you only offer one, there is a 4 to 6 hour wait for each breast between feedings, and that is too long. Both breasts are producing milk at each feeding and both should be emptied. You will find that he is more satisfied afterward, although occasionally he may want to nurse more often, if he is going through a growth spurt or teething.

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