Both sides?

Question

My son is 4 weeks old and wakes up every two hours for a feed during the night. I only give him one breast. Should I be giving him both sides? Would that make him sleep longer?

Answer

I normally let my son nurse on one side until he pulls himself off and then I burp him and change him, then I offer the second breast and sometimes he takes it for a bit & sometimes he just goes back to sleep & if he doesn't take it then I just nurse that side next time. So, no you don't have to nurse both sides if baby is getting full from one side.

Answer

Two hours is very normal at 4 weeks! No need to feed from both breasts.

Answer

Your child will not overeat from the breast so whether you decide to just nurse from one breast and then alternate for the next feeding or offer one breast and then the other at the same feeding, your body will generally regulate itself for what it needs to make at what time. This will not make a difference in your babies sleep. Breastmilk is easily metabolized so breastfed babies are ready for food sooner than their formula counterparts. That being said, I have always found my supply to be at it's fullest when my baby drank one breast fully and then the other in one feeding. I had less engorgement as well.

Both sides?

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