Need Tricks to Remember What Side to Nurse First!

I did the hair scrunchie/pony tail holder...no metal, or sharp things to worry about coming undone or fiddling with in the dark. Any rubber wristband, like the Livestrong band, worked on the days when I didn't want to wear a scrunchie as a bracelet!

Good for you breastfeeding!!!! Keep it up!!!!
Slainte

Get those cheap hair ties and put one on the wrist that you last fed on. I always have a hair tie on my wrist anyhow, so it's easy to just switch it over.

I put a soft hair scrunchie on the wrist of the side I should start with next time. then, if I was tired, I didn't need to worry about hooking a pin, barette, etc, I just moved the scrunchie to the other wrist, and was ready for the next feeding. I got really full in between feedings, so trying to see which one felt full, or squeezing them (they both were over-full!) didn't work for me. It was important for me to switch which side I started on, when the boys were really little, and were not totaling empyting my breasts, as I found myself getting lopsided (my breasts produced what they needed to) if I didn't. Hope this helps!

I have a suggestion for the overnight feedings. It probably won't work during the day. When my boys were waking up to eat during the night, I would lay them back down with their head facing the side I last nursed on. So if I finished on my right side, I would lay him down with his head to the right when facing the crib/bassinet, so I would remember to lead off on that side next time. I hope that makes sense. Congratulations on the baby girl. Good luck with the nursing!

I used a hair barrett that opens and when you push it into a U shape it pops shut. Sorry if that is a bad explination. It can be done with one hand though so it makes it nicer than a saftey pin. Or you could try a bobby-pin. :) Good luck

velcro.

or the squeeze test... squeeze em both and see which is fuller or squirts first.

I know you said you do not wear jewlery, but what about a wedding band? If not, just think to start on the side that the ring should be on... Hope this helps!

I used a nursing braclet, then I remembered when I needed to nurse. Then as he got older I would put the braclet on my bra. I got one off of ebay for 7 or 8 dollars. They are very neat. Good luck and good job on nursing. My son never took a bottle. :)

Does it matter? I don't remember making a conscious effort to start on the opposite side each time.

I know you said that you don't wear jewelry but I really liked the Milk Bands nursing bracelet. I got mine at Baby Mother & More www.milksmile.com I was in the same boat as you, I was so tired I couldn't remember which side I started on.

I used to use a safety pin that I would switch from side to side. Maybe this will work for you.
N.

I just kinda push on my breast and whatever side feels, "fuller" I nurse with that one. Ha!

Hi B.!

It is a great idea to evenly alternate your breasts because one breast could grow much larger. My son favored my left side (18 years ago! and my left breast is noticeably larger than the right. Originally, they were of matching size. My sister used a safety pin on her bra to remember. Good luck!
E.

HI B.,

Try a small safety pin.....it always worked for me.....

Good luck,

D.

I used different color nursing pads. The Lansinoh brand are pink and the Johnson and Johnson are white. That helped me. Good luck!

K.
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i had a stretch band watch. i would change it to the arm that wasnt under the baby because it pinched so i discovered that by accident but it was easy to remember which side i had nursed by where my watch was.

I'm currently nursing my 5 month old and the way I remember which side to start on the next feeding is put the nursing pillow or burp cloth on or next to the chair arm matching the breast I need to nurse first. This only works if you have a set place or chair where you always feed. Best wishes! I'm so glad you are nursing. Breastmilk is worth it's weight in gold for your baby and you. R. Certified Nurse Midwife and now SAHM Mom of a 3 y.o and 5 mo.old

Hi B.-

I always just do a quick "boob check" to see which one is more full (you can do it really discreetly), and I start on that side. If neither breast feels more full than the other, then I start on either side. It's worked really well with both of my girls, and I've never had supply issues.

:-) T.

I wrote it down on a sheet of paper. Just two columns and I wrote the date and time.

dry erase marker dot and wipe it off when your done feeding

I use to squeeze each breast to feel which one was currently the fullest and start with that one. Also a small saftey pin on the side you started from last time could work.
Good luck. M.

I heard of the safty pin idea on your bra, but to avoid the sharp pin, I would use a small hair elastic (like one your would use on a child) that I could loop through the clip of my nursing bra,
Good luck!

I totally understand your problem - had the same issue. What I did which really helped was wear a hair band or big rubber band or something on the wrist of the side I had last nursed on to remember. Good luck!

I always had the mini hair claw and I would clamp it to my shirt collar on the side I needed to nurse on. Otherwise I would forget which side to go to first. It worked for both of my boys and I nursed them 19 months and 22 months respectively. Sometimes I'd forget to remove them when doing the laundry so I'd get claw marks on my shirt, which went away with the next wash, and the hair claw was fine.

Congrats!!

C.

B.,
I had the same problem until I realized my Boppy cover had a different pattern on each side. I dedicated one pattern to the left breast & the other to the right. Each time I set the Boppy down I left it on the side I just fed off of so the next time I just flipped it over & nursed off the other side. It worked well as long as my husband didn't move the Boppy :)

place a safety pin on the bra on strap or on the cup to use next or on the cup you served on last. Hope this helps. other options might be found at laleche league online

I wore a livestrong rubber bracelet (not really like jewelry and for a good cause) for about 3 months, switching to the side that needed to be nursed next. One of the most helpful tips I give to new sleep-deprived mommies :)

I have a 3 year old and a 5 month old. Sounds like we're in the same boat!

I just "feel myself up" and give my boy the fuller one! If I get it wrong, I just leak a little too much on the neglected side. Oh well!

I do remember needing to know which side in the beginning,however and one thing I have done to remember is visualize where I was the last time I nursed. I can usually see a picture of myself in my head and remember which side.

Congratuations! I hope you sleep sooner than I have.
B

I did the "boob bump" which is just basically pressing up your arm/wrist to each and seeing which one felt fuller. Nothing high tech or guaranteed about this, just if that felt fuller, then that got emptied this time!
Otherwise a large hair elastic will do (I'm like you, I dont wear jewelry, but do "wear" rubberbands and/or elastics on occasion!!)