Feeding
Which side did I feed on last? Tracking breastfeeding
Can’t remember which breast you fed on last? How to track breastfeeding sides, feed times, pumping and stored milk, so anyone giving a bottle knows what to do.
Short answer
The easiest way to remember which side you fed on last is to log it the moment you start: left or right, with the time. A breastfeeding timer that records the side and suggests the next one saves you from guessing at 3am, and also keeps count of feeds across 24 hours.
It happens to almost everyone. Your baby starts to stir, you sit down to feed, and your mind goes blank: was it left or right last time? A safety pin on your bra strap or a hair tie on your wrist works for a while. A shared log works better, especially once a partner, grandparent or nanny is helping with bottles too.
Why track which side you breastfed on?
Many parents like to start each feed on the side they finished on, or the one used less last time. Whatever approach you and your midwife or breastfeeding supporter settle on, you need to know which side came last. That’s surprisingly hard to remember when you’re feeding often.
And you will be feeding often. In the first few weeks, the NHS says:
As a rough guide, babies feed at least 8 to 12 times, or more, every 24 hours during the first few weeks.
Across that many feeds a day, plus the nights, a quick record of side and time is the only reliable memory.
How long should each feed last?
There isn’t a set length to aim for. The NHS describes responsive feeding:
Responsive feeding means feeding your baby whenever they show signs of hunger, and for as long as they want.
A timer isn’t there to cut a feed short. It’s there so you know, afterwards, roughly how long feeds have been and when the last one ended. That’s useful when your midwife or health visitor asks how feeding is going.
What to log for each breastfeed
- Start time. The single most useful detail, and the one you’ll be asked about most.
- Side, left or right, and if you switched, which side you finished on.
- Roughly how long, if you used a timer.
- A short note if something felt different, such as a sleepy feed or a sore side, to mention to your midwife.
Tracking pumping and expressed milk
If you express milk, logging it helps in two ways. You can see when you last pumped and from which side. And everyone knows how much milk is available and how old it is.
For storage, the NHS gives clear limits:
Expressed breast milk can be stored in the fridge for up to 8 days at 4°C or lower, or for up to 6 months in a freezer at -18°C or lower.
A simple habit helps: label each container with the date you expressed it, and log it at the same time. Then whoever gives the next bottle can pick the right one without guessing. Our guide on making up formula and storing breast milk safely covers the rest.
When someone else gives a bottle
Expressed milk means a partner, grandparent or nanny can take a feed, which can be a real gift in the early weeks, whether that’s a night feed so you can sleep or a daytime bottle while you’re out. It only works smoothly if everyone shares the same information. Before you hand over, make sure they can see:
- When the last feed was, and whether it was breast or bottle.
- Which expressed milk to use first, and how much is in the fridge or freezer.
- Anything you’d like them to note, like how much was taken.
- How to log the bottle, so you know about it when you wake up.
Tracking breastfeeding with BabyLifeLog
BabyLifeLog was designed around exactly this question. On the Feed screen, tap Left or Right to start a breastfeeding timer. Switch sides with one tap and stop when you’re done. Next time you open the app, the last feed is the first thing you see, with the next side suggested.
Pumping sessions and bottles of breast milk or formula are logged the same way. Everyone you invite, from your partner to a grandparent or nanny, logs into the same journal and sees the same last feed, and each entry shows who logged it. Lumi’s morning note summarises yesterday’s feeds against NHS guidance for your baby’s age and your own last 7 days.
Feeds and nappies go hand in hand in the first weeks. If you’re counting one, it’s worth counting the other: here’s how many wet nappies a newborn should have, and how often a newborn should feed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remember which side I breastfed on last?
Log the side and start time as soon as a feed begins. A breastfeeding timer that suggests the next side, shared with everyone who helps, means nobody has to rely on memory.
How many times a day does a newborn breastfeed?
As a rough guide, the NHS says babies feed at least 8 to 12 times, or more, every 24 hours during the first few weeks.
How long can expressed breast milk be kept in the fridge?
The NHS says expressed breast milk can be stored in the fridge for up to 8 days at 4°C or lower, or for up to 6 months in a freezer at -18°C or lower.
Should I time breastfeeds?
You don’t need to aim for a set length: the NHS describes responsive feeding, for as long as your baby wants. A timer simply records when and how long feeds were, which helps at appointments.
Sources
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your baby, contact your midwife, health visitor, GP or paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Keep reading
FeedingHow to make up formula and store breast milk safely
Make up formula safely with water of at least 70°C, what to do with leftovers, how long breast milk keeps in the fridge or freezer, and how to give a bottle.
FeedingHow often should a newborn feed?
How often a newborn should feed in the first weeks, what responsive feeding means, and how to keep track of feeds day and night and share the night feeds.
TrackingWhat to track in your baby’s first year and why it helps
What to track in your baby’s first year (feeds, nappies, sleep, growth, temperature), how a log helps at check-ups, and how to choose a baby tracker app.