When should you switch breasts when breastfeeding?

When should you switch breasts while breastfeeding? 

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

Regarding 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 milk, why the child seeks the breast, and about growth spurts.

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 raw milk or colostrum. It is yellowish in color, rich, and super nutritious and filling for the little child. It takes no more than a few drops of this “liquid gold” to fill the baby's stomach, which at this point is the size of a walnut. So, not much colostrum is produced at a time, but enough to satisfy and nourish the baby. Milk production is regulated 100% by supply and demand. It is therefore important that both breasts are stimulated by putting the baby to - especially here in the early breastfeeding establishment phase. At the same time, it is important to establish that babies are different. Part of establishing a well-functioning breastfeeding routine is getting to know the baby's signals and needs. You should therefore take your child as your starting point and always refrain from comparing.

Colostrum

Some newborns have enough colostrum from one breast per feeding. Others need colostrum from both breasts in the same feeding. Put the baby to the breast and let the baby feed until the baby rejects the breast, lets go several times, or simply falls asleep and sleeps soundly. If the baby continues to show signs of sucking, then put the baby to the other breast. 

If the baby becomes full and satisfied by feeding from one breast, then you wait with the other breast until the next feeding. If the baby feeds from one and then the other breast in the same feeding, then you should start with the other breast at the next feeding. Maybe you need to read that sentence a few times, I know it can be confusing until it becomes everyday life 😉 

The milk comes in on day 3-5

When the milk comes in on day 3 to 5 after birth, the milk changes its composition to consist of 2 types of milk. The first part of the feeding consists of a thinner, thirst-quenching milk. Gradually during the feeding, the milk transitions to becoming thicker, richer, and more 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 feeding. Therefore, you should not switch breasts until the baby rejects one breast themselves. Again, it will be enough with one breast per feeding for some babies, others need both breasts. Your child will show you. 

Breastfeeding is not just about food

It is also important to know that breastfeeding is not just about food and drink for the baby. Feeding from the breast is also about security, comfort, nervous system regulation, cuddling and more. Therefore, you will experience that your baby sometimes announces themselves and wants to feed just to cuddle-suck without swallowing. Then it is not food that is the need, but cuddling. And here you do not need to switch breasts, but rather the baby rejects the breast and still wants to feed. 

Growth spurts

Growth spurts are also important to know about in the conversation about when to switch breasts during breastfeeding. The word growth spurt covers when the baby suddenly increases the frequency of breastfeeding significantly for a few days. The baby does this to increase milk production. Either because it, for various reasons, has gone down a bit, or because the baby has received a greater nutritional need.

Do you remember that I mentioned that milk production is based on the principle of supply and demand? The need for a greater supply is simply “fixed” by the baby themselves during these growth spurts. 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, then you can, for example, put an elastic band around the wrist on your left arm, if you need to breastfeed from the left breast at the next feeding.

And hey, dear woman, it is completely okay to use little tricks, so you do not have to rack your brain trying to remember which breast you have come to. Some women can feel which breast is most full and milk-filled, but that does not apply to everyone – which is also completely normal. Just as babies are different, so are our breasts as women also different. 

Know that I am rooting for you! And know that it is completely normal that it takes time to establish a well-functioning breastfeeding routine. For some it takes up to a month or more, for others it takes less time.