When should you switch breasts when breastfeeding?

For some it is a fun fact, that you can fully breastfeed a child from one breast. For others, it is the reality, for example, with twins.

In relation to when to switch breasts, when it comes to one child with free access to both breasts, it is important to know something about the composition of the milk, why the child seeks the breast and about appetite spikes.

The composition of milk

We start with the composition of milk. The very first milk right after birth and until the milk comes in a few days later is called colostrum or colostrum. It is yellowish in color, full-fat and super nutritious and satisfying for the little one. It only takes a few drops of this “golden” milk to fill the baby’s stomach, which at this point is the size of a walnut. So not a lot of colostrum is produced at a time, but enough to satisfy and nourish the baby. Milk production is regulated 100% according to supply and demand. It is therefore important that both breasts are stimulated by putting the baby to the breast - especially here in the early breastfeeding establishment phase. At the same time, it is important to establish that babies are different. Part of achieving successful breastfeeding is learning the baby’s signals and needs. You should therefore start from your child and always refrain from comparing.

Colostrum

Some newborns will have enough colostrum from one breast per feeding. Others need colostrum from both breasts at the same feeding. Put baby to the breast and let baby nurse until baby rejects the breast, lets go several times, or simply falls asleep and sleeps deeply. If baby continues to show signs of wanting to suckle, put baby to the other breast.

If baby is full and satisfied by nursing on one breast, then wait with the other breast until the next feeding. If baby nurses on one breast and then the other breast during the same meal, then you should start with the other breast at the next feeding. Maybe you should read that sentence a few times, I know it can be confusing until it becomes everyday 😉

Milk comes in on the 3rd-5th day

When the milk comes in on the 3rd to 5th day after birth, the composition of the milk changes to consist of 2 types of milk. The first part of the meal consists of a thinner, thirst-quenching milk. Gradually during the meal, the milk changes to become thicker, fattening and filling. When the milk comes in, it is therefore essential that the baby gets both the thirst-quenching and the filling milk in the same meal. Therefore, you should not switch breasts until the baby rejects one breast. Again, for some babies, one breast per meal will be enough, while others need both breasts. Your baby will show you this.

Breastfeeding is not just about food

It is also important to know that breastfeeding is not just about feeding and drinking for the baby. Breastfeeding is also about security, comfort, regulation of the nervous system, comfort and more. That is why you will experience that your baby sometimes shows up and wants to breastfeed, only to then simply suckle comfortably without swallowing. Then it is not food that is needed, but comfort. And here you do not need to switch breasts, but the smaller baby rejects the breast and still wants to breastfeed.

Appetite jump

Appetite surge is also important to know when talking about when to switch breasts during breastfeeding. The word appetite surge covers when a baby suddenly increases the frequency of breastfeeding significantly for a few days. The baby does this to increase milk production. Either because it has decreased slightly for various reasons, or because the baby has a greater nutritional need.

Remember that I mentioned that milk production is based on the principle of supply and demand? The need for more supply is simply “fixed” by the baby during these appetite spikes. During these periods, it is important to remember to breastfeed from both breasts, so that milk production increases on both breasts. If it is difficult for you to remember which breast you last breastfed from, you can, for example, put an elastic band around the wrist of your left arm if you are going to breastfeed from the left breast at the next meal.

And hey, dear woman, it's totally okay to use little tricks so you don't have to rack your brains trying to remember which breast you've reached. Some women can feel which breast is the most tense and milky, but that doesn't apply to everyone - which is also completely normal. Because just as babies are different, our women's breasts are also different.

Know that I'm rooting for you! And know that it's completely normal for it to take time to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship. For some it takes up to a month or more, for others it takes less time.