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4. Can a baby have trouble sleeping because he’s going through a
growth spurt?
Yes. Babies grow tremendously fast during the first few months,
doubling their weight in about six months. Some babies do all this
growing at an even, steady pace, but many babies grow in fits and
starts (growth spurts and plateaus). In the midst of a growth spurt,
your baby may wake up more frequently and yell for a meal. (That’s
really demand feeding!)
5. Will my baby sleep better if he takes both breasts or just one, so he
gets the hindmilk?
Unlike formula, which doesn’t change from the first drop to the
last, breast milk changes greatly during the course of a feeding. The
milk that spurts out for the first five minutes is loaded with protein
and antibodies, and it’s more watery to satisfy your baby’s thirst. By
the time the breast is almost empty (after ten to fifteen minutes) the
milk slowly dripping out is as rich as half and half. This creamy,
sweet dessert is called the hindmilk.
Some experts tell mothers not to switch their breasts during a
feeding. They worry that feeding just a few minutes on each side
will deprive a baby of the hindmilk, which they consider nature’s
way of making babies satisfied and sleepy (like the drowsiness we
feel after a heavy meal).
Other experts believe babies get more milk if their moms switch
breasts during a meal. They advise mothers to feed for about seven
minutes on one side and then, after that breast has released its
quick, easy milk, switch to the other side, which is full and waiting
to be emptied.
I recommend this to my patients: Experiment to find what’s best
for you and your baby. If one breast keeps him happy for two hours
in the day and sleeping four hours at night, then there is no need for

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switching. However, if he feeds too often or is gaining weight too
slowly, try giving him seven minutes on one side and then let him
suck for ten to fifteen minutes, or longer, on the second side (that’s
enough for him to fill up with the early milk from both breasts and
still get the hindmilk from the second side).