Nursing on one side only?

Emily2me

I posted this on the breastfeeding board and didn't get a single response, so I won't be surprised if nobody responds here, either, but thought I'd give it a shot...

For the past month or so, DS has refused my right side. I stopped offering it to him a couple of weeks ago, I pump it at night and I'm slowly getting less and less. Tonight I barely got an ounce. I'm guessing this means that my milk has pretty much dried up on that side. I feel like he definitely gets enough from the other side, but also thinking this might be the reason that he eats every 2 hours, around the clock. Has anyone else dealt with this? My biggest concern is that I won't be able to continue breastfeeding because eventually I won't have enough milk.

Ttimes3

1. Has he always (for the most part) gone only 2 hours in between feedings; or did that length of time increase (back when he was taking both sides), then decrease again (when he started refusing the right side)?
2. Before he started refusing the right side, did he nurse from both sides during the same feeding; or has he only ever taken one side at a time?
3. Could you (maybe) start pumping the right side after each feeding, to attempt to rebuild your supply on that side? I know that sounds like a PITA, but it might help to protect your supply.
4. Have you, by chance, spoken with an LC? I'm sure one of the LC's at Mercy would be more than willing to give you her thoughts. I wish that I had reached out to them, more than I did, PP with J.

Emily2me

1. I guess he pretty much has always gone 2 hours or less between feedings. I just thought that by now, at his weight, he would have toned it down a little!

2. I'm glad you brought this up, he actually never nursed from both sides at one feeding. He always just nursed one or the other.

3. I tried to do that when this first started, but it's so tough to find the time. Whenever he finally falls asleep, I feel like I don't want the pump to wake him up. That's why I do it at night, so I can go downstairs, far away from him and try to pump.

4. I should have called sooner, I wanted to go to the BF support group, but calling is probably the better option.

Thanks for bringing some things to light!

Ttimes3

It sounds like your left side might have doubled the production to keep up with what the right side is no longer producing. As long as he doesn't seem hungrier than usual (meaning, he doesn't start demanding to nurse MORE frequently than normal and/or wake MORE frequently, overnight), it seems like you might be able to sustain what you are currently doing, long-term.

Either way, I would definitely call the LC. I remember (with J) feeling like I didn't want to call because I would "bother" them and/or I should be able to figure things out on my own, etc. However, they are there to help, and they really don't mind (I know because, when I was in L&D with W, I shared my feelings with them and they scolded me for ever feeling like I was a bother by asking questions, no matter how many weeks/months PP I was).

Good luck!

BTW - I just read/responded to your sleep schedule question from last night.

JLPT830

Emily I agree with TTT.  I would definitely call.  Maddie is still eating off one side per feeding except in the late afternoons when my supply is lower she'll nurse off both sides.  And I know that my left side produces less than my right.  When she was younger (that sounds funny to say since she is all of 3 months old!) she would sometimes get fussy on the right side and I found that changing my hold would do the trick.  Not sure that's an option for you now; I know for me some of the other holds were more difficult as DD has gotten bigger.  If you want to salvage the supply on the one side it's only going to happen if you are pumping or nursing.  I don't think one pumping session will cut it.  Is there any possible way to sneak to another part of the house to pump during the day??

 I hope the LCs can give you some good advice.  Good luck!

mag2point0

Ditto what other people have said. Rita has always only eaten off of one side at a time, except for at night. Then, she gets down to business. I'm sure a LC will be more than happy to help you. They do what they do because they WANT to help women bf. Good luck!

rottie06

DD only feed on one side each feeding.  I often pumped and feed at the same time!  DD was about 10 months old when I got mastitis and she would never feed on that side again.  At 12 months I put away the pump and was able to keep up with just feeding her on the right.  I was pretty crazy looking with one side dried up and the other swollen with milk!  Your DS is still young enough that I would call the LC and see what they can offer.   Best of luck.

KristenBtobe

Try a side lying position on the side he refuses.

allobosc

With Alex, I only got a full supply off of one side and that was all he eventually nursed from and I pumped from. My one side was just a dud for whatever reason. I was able to nurse him for nearly ten months until my period returned and my supply tanked and I also stopped pumping at work. Now with cameron so far, I'm doing great on both sides but my one side still produces about double what the other side does.