I too am driven nuts by hearing from mothers whose babies are clearly 
not getting sufficient to eat, who are told 'feed only on one side 
otherwise they won't get the hindmilk.'


It's *volume* that drives weight gain - babies have to have access to 
sufficient *volume* and deliberate one-sided feeding *reduces volume* 
and ultimately, production. The only time *deliberate* one-sided 
feeding should be in play is when the mother is still plagued by 
over-supply, several weeks after birth.

The only rule is to be responsive to what the baby seems to need, 
using both breasts,  except on the occasions when the baby's 
behaviour clesrly tells you he does not really want more at this time.

This should be an easy rule - why are mothers (and HCPs) still unsure of it?

I think we should also try to get away from the idea of separate 
feedings/feeds. It's very normal to sometimes (often, in the 
beginning) to have 'feeding sessions'  with no very  clear beginning, 
middle and end, as well as 'episodes' which do appear to start and 
finish in an obvious way.

Supporting mothers and babies to get to know each other, to 
communicate well, and not to have rigid expecations,  also supports 
what we know of the physiology of breastfeeding.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc., tutor, UK


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