Falling asleep at the breast is a normal behaviour and is mostly due to a hormone called cholecystokinin or CCK. CCK makes your baby feel full and sleepy and it is released in your babies gut as soon as they start sucking.
If your baby has fallen asleep, wake him gently (try tickling his toes or stroking his face), burp him, and offer the second breast. Even if his eyes remain closed, you may have some luck getting him to latch on by gently tickling his lips with your nipple.
Newborns may nurse for up to 20 minutes or longer on one or both breasts. As babies get older and more skilled at breastfeeding, they may take about 5–10 minutes on each side.
If your baby is refusing one breast, encourage them to nurse from the less-preferred breast by always offering that breast first, when they're hungriest. You can also try offering it when your baby is just waking up and still sleepy.
If one side preference continues
In most cases it is possible to make enough milk. But it depends on the storage capacity of the breast. A baby who feeds only on one side may need to feed more often than a baby taking both sides. Each breast may be a different size if your baby is feeding only on one side.
If You Miss a Night Pumping Session
If you accidentally miss a pumping session now and then, there is no need to fret, as it most likely will not harm your supply — especially if you can squeeze in another session at a different time of the day.
Let your baby end the feeding when he shows these signs he's full: Releases or “falls off” the breast. Turns away from the nipple. Relaxes his body and opens his fists.
It may only take your baby about 5 to 10 minutes to empty each breast and get all the milk they need; however, this is different for everyone.
Some babies are snackers – they nurse for a minute or two, take a break, and then go back. Other babies can drain the breast in two minutes and be satisfied for a few hours. It depends on how much milk you're making and your let down, too.
CHECK FOR THESE EXPRESSIONS: If you want to know whether your baby is full or still hungry, then look for this: In case, baby has fallen asleep at the breast and hands are open and relaxed, it is full. If the fingers are tightly clutched and face looks tensed, then your baby is still hungry.
Your child's desire to nurse to sleep is very normal and not a bad habit you've fostered. Don't be afraid to nurse your baby to sleep or fear that you are perpetuating a bad habit. Baby often will seek the breast when sleepy or over-stimulated because it's a comforting and familiar place to him.
Removal Process
Place your finger at the corner of your baby's mouth. Gently slide your finger into the side of the mouth. Go past your baby's lips and between his gums as you press down slightly against the skin of your breast. This action will break the suction between your child's mouth and your breast.
Yes, you should burp your baby even after a dream feed, which is a late-night feeding you wake your little one up for before you head to bed. The reason? Any feeding, including a dream feed, can create gas and/or cause your baby to spit up. So do your best to alleviate that pressure.
Despite views to the contrary, breasts are never truly empty. Milk is actually produced nonstop—before, during, and after feedings—so there's no need to wait between feedings for your breasts to refill.
As long as your baby is getting enough breast milk and growing at a healthy, consistent pace, it doesn't matter if you nurse from one breast or both breasts at each feeding. You should choose the method that is the easiest, most comfortable, and most convenient for you and your baby.
A baby that is content at the breast seems relaxed. But if it appears that they are still hungry after eating from one breast, offer your second breast until they are full. If you don't switch sides during the feed, offer the other breast first on the next feed. This will help to build your milk supply in both breasts.
It's normal for one side to have more milk production than the other, and typically have a faster flow. Often, this is the breast your baby prefers. Some babies might struggle with the faster flowing side and prefer the calmer breast.
These sessions don't need to be evenly spaced, but you should be nursing/pumping at least once during the night in the first few months or anytime you notice a decrease in supply. Avoid going longer than 5-6 hours without pumping during the first few months.
It's common for moms to have different amounts of milk-making tissue and different sized milk ducts in each breast, so one breast naturally produces more than the other.
Sometimes a baby will prefer one breast to the other and there is no obvious reason. They are more comfortable feeding on one side. They seem to prefer being positioned on one side than the other. The refused breast may not be producing as much milk, or the milk may not be flowing as fast as the preferred breast.