Every Baby is Different

Be suspicious of any parenting books that recommend the same feeding pattern for all mothers and babies, because individual differences can profoundly affect these dynamics.

Many mothers with a large breast storage capacity find that their babies always take one breast at a feeding.

Mothers with smaller or more average milk storage often find that their babies always want both breasts.

There are no hard-and-fast-rules, because mothers and babies are individuals and these individual differences are responsible for the natural variations in babies’ feeding patterns.

During these first days, the amount of milk available to your baby tends to be small to match the size of her stomach, and your baby may want both breasts at every feeding. In fact, in these early days, your baby may want both breasts several times at each feeding.

Don’t hesitate to give each breast more than once if your baby seems to want it. Let your baby be your guide.

From Breastfeeding Made Simple, Mohrbacher and Kendall-Tackett, 2010.