BF moms - need suggestions/advice

holly423

Since DS was born my left side has always produced less than my right side. I knew that some variation was okay. About 3 months pp it got to be a huge difference: 3-4 oz..

I talked to a LC who said she hadn't ever seen that. She told me to always start feeding DS on the left side. I have been doing that since then and it improved. Some days my left side would be equal or more!

Well, the past few weeks it is decreasing again. Now DS doesn't even want to eat on that side. He screams and pulls away. After a 10 min. fight I can usually get him to eat on that side for a little bit. Today I pumped 6 oz on the right side and almost 3 on the left. If this keeps up I will eventually have to start supplementing and I really don't want to do that.

Anyone else have this happen? Any suggestions or advice? I can only pump twice at work, if that matters. I'm afraid I am drying up on just the one side.

leslienpete

I don't really have any tips because I deal with the same thing. Although I eBF and only pump 1x a day at night to build up a little stash. I will get 3 oz. from one side and 1 oz. from the other. So, I am another case your LC hasn't seen before either!

actgrl22

I'm probably not much help but my right side has always produced less than my left side. The first pump at work I used to get 3-4oz on the left and 1-2 on the right and it's just getting to the point now where I have to nurse DD on the left because first thing in the morning I'm so engorged and the right isn't.  And then before bed, again my left is fuller so right now the only action the right side gets is 2 pumping sessions a day but for me I'm okay with it because DD is going to be 9 months next week and we've been supplementing for a while.  I think it's fairly normal to have one higher producing side at least that's what my LC told me in the beginning.

KarBear

Hmm...I've pretty much had this issue as well.  This morning I got 4oz from left side, 2 from right.  I just thought it was normal.

ncbelle

I suppose you could try all the usual tricks to increase supply - oatmeal, extra water, maybe funegreek.  Any chance you can up the pumping?  It is possible to BF on just one breast if necessary (as in you can get enough supply from just one side).  I would keep offering him the "bum" side and if he refuses it, pump it instead.  Maybe if you can pump that side while he nurses on the other you can get more from it.

Good luck!

arizonamama

My right side has always produced way more than what my left side does. I was told to start on the side that produced less to try to build up the supply but DS is almost 10 mos and that never worked for me. What I do is feed him on the right so he doesnt get mad because he is starving and then move to the left to finish up once i think he is starting to get full. So far it has worked for us.

CaitlinJ22

I have the same issue. Ds will stay on my left for maybe a minute and then want the right. Your supply will regulate, maybe your right side will be bigger--like mine is LOL, but he will get enough, it doesnt have to be an equal amt from each. Ive heard people that only feed from one breast and the other they dont use.

 The pumping thing is not my territory, but if I were you I would pump for a few minutes on and off that side a few times during the wk to see if you can trick it into making more for when youhave to pump. GL

SarahMay77

This is exactly me.  My left side has always produced more than the right.  I just finished pumping 4oz from my left and 2oz from my right.   DD only nurses 2 or 3 times a day from me, so I'm not too worried about it.  I'm surprised that your LC hadn't heard of this happening before.  DD has always preferred my left side.  I always alternated, but she always nursed longest on this side.  I haven't dried up yet.    some days, I only produce a few oz total when pumping my right side.  I rely on lefty to get me through the days.

MetsGirl18

I always get at least 2 oz more from my right side when I pump.  I try to put DS on the left side first as much as possible.  It helps, but there's still a noticeable difference between the two sides.  I pump 2-3 times per day when I'm away from DS.  He gets BM through nursing or the bottle 4 times per day.  DS is almost 8 months old and I haven't had to supplement.