I am behind a little in my reading lactnet and am unsure about how the
discussion started so may be off beam here.  If I am I am sorry and excuse
my rambling post. Has anyone had discussed or mentioned the differences in
breast milk holding capacity that breasts can hold as being a possible
reason for switching?  It is my understanding that there can even be large
variations from one side to another in some mums.  We know from Peter
Hartmans reseach that there are also variations between women.  When mums
are empowered to know the signs that baby has 'finished' one side and if the
baby still appears unsettled, restless or looking for milk then offer the
other side, then offering the second side the baby becomes settled.

I believe that knowing that there are measurable differences between women
and between a womans breasts, and empowering the mum to know when the baby
has finished one side and needs more than there should be no concern.
Switching can be a real problem for some babies, for others to be "full"
need to be offered the second breast for either one or both breasts.  In the
need to switch for some babies the only explaination that I can think of is
breast capacity related.

On a personal level, my eldest and 2nd fed from one side only for each feed.
My youngest will feed from l side and be satisfied but r side will always
look for l side to finish the feed.  I wonder how much of the change has to
do with how frequently the youngest suckled on each side in the early days
(I have memories of various discussions about how some mums milk volume
seems to vary from pregnancy to pregnancy - may be someone could fill me in
here) or a serious low supply during and following a couple of serious bouts
of mastitis in which the effected breast never seemed to recover the full
volume.

warm regards

Ruth Fiedler
australia
Breastfeeding counsellor

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