BFing, uneven supply

Since the babies came early and were having trouble latching I have been pumping every 3 hours at the reccomendation of the lactation consultant. The babies are 1 week old now and when I have tried nuring them they seem to be latching and getting the hang of it now. I would love to switch over to nursing from pumping but here is the problem. One breast only gives me 2 oz while the other gives me 4+ oz.
What should I do? Should I just alternate which baby gets what side for each feeding?
They are eating about 2 oz pumped milk at each feeding now. I don't want the one who gets the 2 oz boob to go hungry. Should that baby get to finish up the other side? Is it bad for them to share a boob (germs?)


ETA: Another option... I am supplementing with Neosure (high calorie formula) at night. I could always give the baby who gets the 2 oz boob a half ounce of formula after nursing as well.

Message edited 8/6/2010 2:51:44 PM.

Re: BFing, uneven supply

Obviously not a multiple mom, but I BF and I would say not to use what you pump to be a measure of what baby is getting when you nurse. Baby is likely getting more than you pump. I would just rotate turns. Session 1 gets the left, session 2 she gets the right.
Again, maybe this isn't sound advice since I didn't nurse twins, but I really wouldn't measure what's in there based on what you pump

Re: BFing, uneven supply

I'd alternate sides with each baby at each feeding. Also remember just because you pump more from one breast doesn't meant the other is producing less, it may just be harder to get milk out of it through a pump but the baby may be fine at transferring milk.

Re: BFing, uneven supply

I agree with the PPs. A pump is not anywhere as effective as little mouths. I would alternate the breasts at feedings. So if gets the right breast at feeding 1, gets the right right breast at feeding 2.

Re: BFing, uneven supply

I had the same thing happen to me when I breastfed my twins. You can do one of two things. You can rotate which breast you put the babies on for each feeding. I had a schedule where I kept track of which baby fed on which breast and how many minutes he fed for. Iif Baby A fed on the right breast at the last feed, Baby A would go on the left breast for the current feeding and vice versa for Baby B. Things get a little blurry in the first few weeks, so don't panic if you realize you fed one baby more on the breast which produces more milk. Just do your best the next day. It all works out in the end. Incidentally, one breast usually produces more milk than the other. Also, the pump may not be a true indicator of how much is being drained by the babies.

Secondly, some Moms choose to feed Baby A all day on one breast, and Baby B all day on the same breast and switch breasts the next day. I think this can work, but preferred to switch breasts each time. There is some research about it being better for the babies to switch breasts because their muscles are forced to develop on each side when they switch breasts. You have to do whatever helps you get through the day in the beginning weeks, knowing that in 5-6 weeks you and the babies will get the hang of it and you can choose to switch sides each feeding then.

Don't worry about germs on the breast when you switch nipples. Your body will produce antibodies to help the babies not get sick and if they do, get better sooner.

I suggest to put your babies to the breast and eliminate the pumping if you can. It is much easier to not have to clean bottles and pump! Keep up the great work....you are doing awesome!

Re: BFing, uneven supply

I forgot to mention that I don't think the baby who gets the breast with the smaller milk supply will go hungry. My babies never had an issue where one appeared hungry after feeding from my breast with the smaller supply. You can tell if your baby has not had enough milk because she/he will cry and be very fussy after completing the feeding. You can certainly offer the other breast to your baby after finishing the smaller supply breast. Just make sure the baby feeding on the bigger supply breast gets a full feed (ie. feeds long enough to get the hindmilk, usually about 10-12 minutes or so).

Also, babies go through growth spurts at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. I had to supplement for a day or so with formula after a few feedings/day until my milk supply adjusted.

Re: BFing, uneven supply

Don't use the pump to estimate how much you are getting.
I would alternate days with the babies - it was a lot easier than alternating feedings - especially at the beginning - i got so confused!

So for example - on Monday, M would be on the left, and J would be on the right. Then on Tuesday, M would be on the right and J would be on the left.

Re: BFing, uneven supply

in the beginning. i would always top them off with formula. (an ounce or 2) they never really finished it. I did this until my supply increased. I felt bad giving one baby less milk. So I evened out with formula.

Re: BFing, uneven supply

mine have always been uneven and my boys are 5 months. i pump like madwoman then even out the bottles

Re: BFing, uneven supply

It is not working out.

They each BF for 15-20 minutes and come off starving!

But when I pump and give them 2 oz each they are done, and I have extra milk left over.

I guess I will stick with pumping for now.

Re: BFing, uneven supply