Breastfeeding: Which is best?
A UK reports it is better to do the short breastfeeding like the traditional 10 minutes on one and 10 minutes on the other over the baby-led. Which do you do? Do you allow your child to eat off one breast for a prolonged period of time and next time eat off the other?
They did a study in the UK and followed around over 120 different women and their babies and half did the baby-led while the other half did the traditional 10 on each side. Those that did the traditional type of breastfeeding had very healthy babies that were gaining weight. Those that did the baby-led may have had healthy babies but they weren’t gaining weight like they should.
It is stated that those that did traditional breastfeeding were giving their babies the extra higher fat and protein that comes down with the milk. However when only one is being used at a feeding it doesn’t allow a letdown, plus it can dry up milk production faster.
According to this article and many doctors the traditional breastfeeding of 10 minutes on one and 10 on the other is best. Which do you do? I won’t lie, I’ve been known to do both.
Tags: babies, baby-led breastfeeding, breastfed, Breastfeeding, tradtional breastfeedingRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Breastfeeding
3 opinions for Breastfeeding: Which is best?
Olivia
Apr 20, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I’ve been worrying about this lately and am so glad to read these findings. My baby was born in the US and all the nurses and lactation consultants only ever mentioned feeding the baby at both breasts at each feed. We had lots of problems with baby latching on and it was very stressful. Luckily, my daughter was latching on properly before I started hearing about single-side feeding from several Europeans or I would have been way too stressed. As it is, I’ve been worrying she doesn’t get enough hindmilk by feeding at both breasts but this study has dispelled my fears. I’ve been know to leave her at one breast for ages, too though!
I’ve found breastfeeding to be much more complex and controversial than I expected and created a survey at:
http://www.opiniondb.com/DoSurveyList.aspx?id=99aaf44d-a5e3-40bc-8bd0-3be1a0143748
I’d like to see what others thinks and hope it’ll be helpful to those currently pregnant.
Pink Potter
Apr 21, 2008 at 10:04 am
For my first, and only one, baby, I’ve used the 50-50 method, but my sister was used to empty a breast and if the baby was still asking for milk, she gave him the other.
Both our childern have grown healty… :-)
Maria
Apr 21, 2008 at 8:43 pm
My son was always a one side feeder, and he was fed on demand. Occasionally, he would take both sides, but only during growth spurts. I never had any problems with my supply… other than over-supply at times… and he has grown very healthy. Also, I had multiple let-downs per nursing session.
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