https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:56:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2786642 Wed, 15 Nov 2017 15:21:25 +0000 Boopers 2786642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorthStar: @PawPrints: Thanks! I pumped both sides at work with LO1, but I also fed him on both sides each feeding so getting used to a new feeding experience this time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2786639 Wed, 15 Nov 2017 15:20:11 +0000 PawPrints 2786639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boopers: You can just pump both sides every time at work, don't need to overthink it. Yep your body does just get used to it. No need to ever pump just one side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2786637 Wed, 15 Nov 2017 15:09:38 +0000 NorthStar 2786637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boopers: yep! I am actually pumping right now! haha and I always do both sides. I think that our bodies just get used to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2786636 Wed, 15 Nov 2017 15:08:37 +0000 Boopers 2786636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all so much for your replies! He's 7 1/2 weeks now and still feeding on one side per feeding. He's stretching out his feedings to about 3 hours during the day and has one 4-6 hour stretch at night. At first my breasts were feeling engorged similar to when my milk first came in, but things are regulating and I don't feel as miserably full now.</p> <p>@NorthStar: When you pumped at work did you pump both sides? I feel like when I go back to work in January I am going to have to do something similar- feed on one side before work and pump the other side, pump both sides twice at work then feed on one side once we get home and once from the other side before bed. I'm sure we will get a good groove after a few weeks.</p> <p>@PawPrints: I am definitely not pumping the other side. I did that initially when LO was 1-2 weeks old and my LC told me to stop because I had serious engorgement that wasn't going away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785417 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 14:21:51 +0000 PawPrints 2785417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD always did one side per feeding. (Up until she was like over a year old anyway, when nursing is very different).</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings?<br /> No, and I would not worry about this.</p> <p>2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side?<br /> Yes. I had oversupply actually. Like a fountain. Everything I owned was perpetually soaked.</p> <p>3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day?<br /> Easily, yes. I went back to work at 6 months and pumped 3x/day and usually produced around 12+ oz/day (more in the morning, less in the afternoon). </p> <p>4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash?<br /> NO and would really discourage you from doing this. You're doing enough already nursing your little one, don't worry about the other side or a freezer stash. I ended up building a freezer stash simply by pumping once a day every evening (when DH would give DD a bottle) and she would usually eat only half as much as I pumped at that point in the day. So I ended up with a big freezer stash. It is really not necessary to have a big stash though, I just ended up rotating through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785361 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 12:22:44 +0000 codeitall 2785361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 7 months old and has been a one side at a time nurser since she was born.</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings?</p> <p>Nope.</p> <p>2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side?</p> <p>Yep. But supply has never really been a problem for me.</p> <p>3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day?</p> <p>I cheat and only pump once a day. She hates bottles and barely drinks anything at daycare, so I wasn't too worried about it. She gets the most from me in the evening and overnight. I've actually built up a little stash because she barely drinks at daycare.</p> <p>4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash?</p> <p>DD had struggles with one side, so at the beginning, I did pump the other side when she'd reject it. That kept my supply up until she was better at latching both sides. Honestly, all of that milk was basically wasted on attempts to get her to drink from different bottles :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785329 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 11:00:27 +0000 maddyz 2785329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO1 always nursed both sides. LO2 mostly has only nursed one side with some exceptions now that he is almost 14 months old. He nurses both sides and for like an hour at bedtime and in the early mornings before we really wake up. I just kinda go back and forth from one side to the other for an hour...</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings? I have had mastitis twice with LO2 and once was because I think I went 12 hours with out nursing one side, he slept MUCH longer then normal and I mixed up my switching. I should have been more proactive. The other time I was away for 5 days and only pumping and the pump wasn't emptying me all the way. I dont think the second time had to do with how he nursed.</p> <p>2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side? I have not had any supply issues. Actually I think I have a little too much milk because of how he has nursed and how I have been pumping at work.</p> <p>3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day? Yes, I had trouble with that with LO1 but with LO2 I think it's actually helped. But everyones body is different.</p> <p>4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash? When LO2 was little I would use a silicone manual breast pump on the boob I wasn't nursing when I was nursing at night. It suctions on and catches milk, for me the suction was enough to get a small letdown on that side while I was nursing the other. It would collect 2-3oz. Once LO2 got wiggly it I couldn't use it anymore because he would kick it off and spill milk all over... I think I used it until about 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785325 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 10:47:49 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2785325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of my kids have been 1 side nursers.</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings? I had one time with my first, but I think I had a virus that made me not get out a blocked duct more than starting with mastitis.</p> <p> 2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side? I have a large supply in each breast. In actuality, both kids slept through the night early and I was routinely going up to 16 hours without nursing at 3 months. I have a large breast supply and at 3 months got 14-16 ounces when I didn't nurse in the morning. </p> <p> 3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day? I was in the beginning. I am not making enough for DD now that she is 9 months, but DD loves her solids. I have no worries that I don't have enough for her by nursing. I am just giving her food and water in her sippy cup. </p> <p> 4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash? I didn't, but in the beginning, my breasts were so full that I had to pump some just for my comfort and for her to be able nurse. I have about 60 ounces in the freezer and am pulling out 3-5 ounces each week. I just hope to get to the beginning of January when DD will be 11 months. I'll just move to milk early if I have to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785302 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 09:44:31 +0000 Bluebonnet 2785302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Its been a little while since my LOs were babies, so my memory is slightly hazy, but I did this and was fine. Answers below.</p> <p>1. No<br /> 2. Yes - my body adjusted<br /> 3. Yes - I had no issues pumping at all. When I went back to work, I think LO started nursing from both sides after work/at night.<br /> 4. LO started sleeping in longer stretches pretty early on (sleeping 12 hours before 6 months). When LO started sleeping longer at night, I pumped both sides every night before I went to bed and built a massive freezer stash. ETA - once LO was sleeping 12 hours, I had to pump the other side before I went to work (otherwise there would have been a very noticeable difference) - this also helped build my freezer stash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785293 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 09:22:59 +0000 josina 2785293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is almost 9 months and usually will only nurse one side, sometimes both at bedtime, which is when I have the least milk.</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings? No, I had a clogged duct on one side but hot baths/massage got rid of it.<br /> 2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side? Yes, never any issues.<br /> 3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day? I went back to work at 7 weeks, and average 4-5 oz each pump, which is what she drinks.<br /> 4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash? Only if I was super engorged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785281 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:41:48 +0000 Ajsmommy 2785281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is a one side at a time nurser... my first was a both side nurser just as you stated, so I too had to get used to the one sided thing.</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings? No, never had any issues<br /> 2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side? I did, no problems. My supply only dipped when I returned to work and had to pump and then when I got my period back.<br /> 3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day? I was. I actually pumped WAYYY more than needed bc I pumped both sides. I was pumping 2-3 times what I needed on a daily basis and it allowed me to build up a good stash.<br /> 4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash? I did not pump the other side when he nursed one. I only pumped both when I was at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785276 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:34:23 +0000 NorthStar 2785276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is almost 9 months old and I went back to work fulltime when he was 12 weeks. Once my supply regulated, we've been pretty much been doing one feed per side.</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings? Nope - I've had clogged ducts a few times, but it's been quite a few months since I've had that happen.</p> <p>2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side? Yes, supply has been fine. The only thing that tanked it was when I went back on the non-hormonal BCP. The doctor told me it wouldn't affect my supply. um, it totally did. Once I stopped that, my supply eventually went back up with some help from supplements.</p> <p>3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day? Yes - So, I would feed him before dropping him at daycare, pump at 10 and 2 and get maybe 8 oz each time. I would feed him when I got home and again right before bed. It's a bit different now that he's eating dinner, so the nursing right when I get home is gone. Eventually, I did have to supplement from my freezer stash for a few months. But, it was only a bag or two a week at most. Now with DS at 9 months, his milk intake has really decreased, but I'm still pumping about the same amount. So, for the first time in what seems like ages, I actually put a bag in the freezer last week!</p> <p>4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash? Somewhat, i guess? So, when I feed him right before daycare/leaving for work, I pump the other side at the same time. Takes some juggling, but then, I can get an extra ounce or two. At night bedtime feed, I do feed him both sides. But, all during the night, it's only one side at a time. For maybe 2 months, I would feed him on one side and then go pump the other side. I was able to create quite a hefty freezer stash this way. I eventually stopped doing this and although there were a few uncomfortable nights (where my boobs were adjusting), my body has figured it out. </p> <p>I will say that on weekends, I really only feed him one side at a time, except for his bedtime feed. During the work days, it's kind of a crap shoot regarding how he slept at night. But, I try to stick to one side at a time on the weekends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785254 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 06:28:59 +0000 Pumuckl 2785254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have now nursed 2 singeltons per one side per feeding and one set of twins, so it can definitely be done. Here's my answers to your questions:</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings?<br /> <i> No, I had one time were it came close to being a mastitis with LO1 but it resolved without antibiotics. My supply regulated and it didn't matter that I went 5-6 (or now 4h with my twins) between feedings. </i></p> <p>2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side?<br /> <i> I only ever started with one side per feeding because I have a tendency to have an oversupply. I could easily nurse my kids for prolonged times. All 4 of my kids are basically EBF (some exception with the twins but that wasn't supply related). </i></p> <p>3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day?<br /> <i> I didn't go back to work fully until after they weaned (thank you amazing parental leave policies in Germany) but whenever I had to pump because I had to leave for hours or even days I had no issues pumping the desired amount. </i></p> <p>4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash?<br /> <i> I actually did that with my 1st for one feeding a day and my body just adjusted to it. </i></p> <p>My advice would be to just roll with it and be confident that your body can handle it! All the best :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785249 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 01:31:09 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2785249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boopers: I can only respond based on 2 and 4. </p> <p>Both my kids have only nursed on one side until they’re older, like 8 months+. Right now my second is 3.5 months and nurses on one side exclusively every 2.5-3.5 hours. I don’t feel like I have supply issues and he is pretty full and gaining appropriately. I have felt a little bit full a few times and have pumped the other side between a feeding or after a feeding of I know it’s goong to be a long time and I feel uncomfortable. I don’t make a habit of it though because: I’m a stay at home mum and don’t need the milk, he doesn’t drink from a bottle anyway and probably wouldn’t unless desperate, and I didn’t want to make myself have an oversupply or get my boobs used to being used that frequently since he doesn’t nurse that way. I want my supply to just match what he needs/wants. I rarely feel engorged or engorged enough to pump and have gone 5 hours between a feeding a few times. Have also been lucky enough to never have a clogged duct or mastitis and hope that continues. </p> <p>If you’re wanting to save a freezer stash though then it makes sense to me to pump some from the side baby doesn’t nurse on. I’d also try pumping a bit from the side that was nursed in too. I think at some point they want to eat from both sides. I’m waiting for that anyway. I forget when it occurred with my first. I also have super short nursers, eat from one side for under 10 minutes and then carry on with their day. I don’t know what that means about my milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785247 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 00:52:04 +0000 bees_knees 2785247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boopers: both LOs only nursed from one side per feeding until they were 6-7 mo old. I always offered both sides, but it was very rare that they would take both. My supply was fine. I chose not to have a freezer stash because I SAH and loathe pumping (ha) so I only kept like 10-20 Oz in the freezer available for a random date night or something. I never got mastitis, but I did occasionally get engorged and got a handful of clogged ducts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785246 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 00:39:48 +0000 IRunForFun 2785246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 9 months and has only ever nursed from 1 side at a time, except around 6 months she started taking both sides right before bed. My supply regulated to the point where I would not (and still don't) get engorged going 5 to 6 hours between feedings on each side. I haven't gotten mastitis. </p> <p>I do not work full time but do work out of the home some and have always been able to pump to match her needs; I just roughly line up pumping times to match when she'd nurse and pump the side she would have nursed from if I was with her. I built up a freezer stash when she started sleeping longer stretches at night by nursing on the first side and pumping an ounce or two on the other. I'd still have enough to nurse her again in 3ish hours from the side I pumped and the 1 to 2 ozs started adding up.</p> <p>If it's any consolation I'm away from my LO for 6 days right now (on day 5 currently) and still pumping 20 to 24 ozs per day by pumping just one side at a time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785237 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:49:47 +0000 kitty 2785237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! My LO2 (now 5mo) also only nursed on one side at a feed until he was about 3 - 3.5 months. Our feeds were a bit closer together at 2-2.5 hours but I had some of the same concerns as you.</p> <p>1. No mastitis (one near miss but that was from sleeping on my boob)</p> <p>2. I did maintain my supply, because he was having a bigger feed from the one side rather than two smaller feeds from each side if that makes sense?</p> <p>3. I'm not back at work yet, and LO now feeds from both sides about 1/3 to 1/2 of the time, but I don't respond particularly well to the pump anyway - I think I would have to do two short sessions to get LO enough for one feed.</p> <p>4. I haven't been pumping much but I did consider this - I ended up not pumping that other side because I wanted to make sure LO had enough at his next feed. That said, your supply would probably just increase a little and you could go ahead building a freezer stash. Something I should do soon too!</p> <p>It always feels so complex, doesn't it? Anyway, maybe your LO will eventually feed both sides too. Good luck :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-on-one-side-per-feeding#post-2785234 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:11:19 +0000 Boopers 2785234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO2 is 6 weeks old and has always nursed on one side per feeding. Right now he eats every 3 hours which means if I start on my left I don’t end up nursing again on that side for another 6 hours. I have a good supply and can usually pump 3-5 oz from one side if I choose to pump rather than nurse for that feeding (which I’ve had to do on the right side occasionally due to some painful latching). I dealt with some oversupply in the beginning and my LC said that this could help regulate my supply to just what my LO needs which I feel has happened.</p> <p>LO1 always nursed on both sides per feeding so this one side per feeding thing is new to me. My LC assured me that it’s fine and my supply should be regulated by now so not to worry about supply issues, but I’m hoping for some real life experiences from bees who only nursed on one side per feeding.</p> <p>1. Did you ever deal with mastitis going so long between feedings?<br /> 2. Did you feel like you could maintain your supply going 5-6 hours between feedings on each side?<br /> 3. If you went back to work and pumped were you able to pump enough for your LO each day?<br /> 4. Did you choose to pump the other side your LO didn’t nurse on to help maintain your supply and build a freezer stash? </p> <p>Thanks! </p>