BFing moms - some questions

Two weeks in a row, my BF class was cancelled. Since the baby is coming pretty much any day now, I know time is running out. I sent DH to the library to get some books since I am battling a bad head cold, but there are still a few questions I have, if you don't mind.

1. Do you change the baby before or after feedings? I would think most babies fall asleep while eating, but a lot of the books are saying they have a BM after each feeding. Does it happen right away? Or can I change her before, and then let her sleep when she is done eating?

2. Does she eat from both breasts each time?

Thank you so much!!

Re: BFing moms - some questions

my dd falls asleep five mins after starting bfing so i change diaper before to wake her up. Your supposed to feed on first breast for 15 mins burp then switch to second breast for 15 mins or until breast empty..

Re: BFing moms - some questions

Also, dont worry about the class if you dont get before baby being born, Hopefully the nurses at your hospital will help you with your questions and teach you the basics of bfing.. Mine kinda helped.. plus it was a weekend so no lactation consultant around, hopefully youll be able to get one.

Re: BFing moms - some questions

My DD always pooped after she ate without fail almost everytime in the beginning. As she got older that didn't happen, so the sleeping thing was okay.

I think it varies from baby to baby, but mine only ate from 1 breast at a time per feeding, she never took the 2nd one even though i tried everytime. I had an oversupply though and I was glad since i knew with one breast she was getting hind milk-the fatty part of the milk.

If you can, make sure you have an LC you can contact after you give birth for help or questions. My LC was detrimental in my Bf'ing success.

Good luck!!!


ETA: www.kellymom.com is an AWESOME bf'ing website!

Message edited 10/11/2007 11:37:15 AM.

Re: BFing moms - some questions

I change DD before feeding her. Occassionally she will have a BM while eating or right after and then I just change her again. But at night she usually falls asleep while eating so I just burp her and put her back down. Changing a diaper always wakes her up.

I usually only feed from one breast per feeding unless I just pumped the feeding before-then sometimes she needs to eat from both. When I was in the hospital she was eating from both as well.

I definitely recommend trying to see a LC after you give birth. I only had to use the LC in the hospital but I got a lot of great advice from her and know that I can call her anytime if I need help.

Re: BFing moms - some questions

Wow, what bad luck for it to be cancelled twice! Good luck with the delivery and with breastfeeding, it is tough. I will say I didn't take a course, but there was a lactation consultant at the hostpital, plus the nurses gave some advice (although I got the best advice from my DD's pediatrician!)- so make sure you ask at the hospital.

kellymom.com is a good resource for breastfeeding moms (of course I say this having only learned of the site after my DD was older, so I never really used it, but it has a lot of good info and is well-recommended).

Also I used babycenter.com, they have a whole section on breastfeeding.

As far as your questions...
1. Honestly I changed her before I fed her, at least at first, because she would fall asleep during/after feeding. But I would say sometimes I would have to change her again because she would poop (but I found that it was worth taking the chance just in case she didn't poop so she was going to sleep with a clean diaper.

2. I tried to feed her from both breasts. The advice is to alternate which breast you start with (people have suggested a scrunchee on one or the other arm to remind yourself). I would say feed for at least 10-15 min (depends on how efficient they are) then switch, but I didn't always follow this- when my DD was born she had latching problems, so I was afraid to chance breaking the latch in case she wouldn't take the other breast. As long as they seem full and you alternate breasts you should be fine (this is my advice not a professional's though).

On the one hand breastfeeding does not come naturally, but on the other hand the same thing doesn't work with everyone, you and your child need to get the hang of it together and figure out what works best for you! Good luck!

Re: BFing moms - some questions

I change my DS before each feeding. During the morning feedings I do not change his diaper afterwards because he usually does fall asleep. If he doesn't fall asleep I will then change his diaper after 5-10 minutes for when he pees.. at 3 months, he doesn't poop that often during the morning feedings..

When he does poop, I will change him even if I have to wake him up..


I think I'm in the minority.. I only feed my DS one boob at a time.. The consultant at the hospital told me to switch, so I tried that in the beginning but for me after letting him feed for 15 minutes then switching, by the time I got a burp he didn't want to eat..

So I just let him eat as much as he wants from one boob. Then the next feeding I will give him the other boob.

Message edited 10/11/2007 12:17:45 PM.

Re: BFing moms - some questions

Thank you for asking this question, now that i read what others are typing and there experiences, im going to try just one boob.. I kept breaking the latch and after i burped her she wouldnt take second breast. At the hospital they drilled both breasts into my head, i think my dd might be better off with just the one and let her stop on her own.. thanks again.. learn something new everytime i come on to this site... its great.

Re: BFing moms - some questions

thank you so much ladies! for some reason, BF'ing really has me freaked out. I really want this to work.

I left a message for the local LLL leader, I was hoping to maybe check out a meeting.

Re: BFing moms - some questions

What I learned was the more I freaked myself out about it, the harder it was. Once I relaxed it was smooth sailing. I would always change DS BEFORE feeding so that if he fell asleep while feeding I could burp him and lay him back down, USUALLY without waking him up. I also fed on both sides for about 15 min on each side. It's also important to start with the opposite breast each time to be sure the baby si getting the hind milk, the most nutritious. The nurses at the hospital where I delivered were VERY patient and VERY knowledgeable for the most part. They should hopefully have a lactation consultant visit with you as well, at least of a couple of your first feedings. Hang in there and try not to stress!

Re: BFing moms - some questions

I always changed DS before feedings to wake him up. DS didn't poop right afterwards most of the time. If he did then I would just change him again after.

My LC told me to let him stay on one breast and go by him and not the clock. DS has always been a one boob for about 10-12 min kinda guy. I was concerned that it wasn't enough, but at 4 mths he was 16lbs.

I hope they refund some $$$$ for the cancelled classes!!