XP from BF: Breastfeeding on one side?

peelester429

Hi all!!  As I've posted about before, C and I have had quite a difficult road through breastfeeding, but I've been determined not to give up.  From mastitis, to thrush, to excruciatingly painful nursing sessions, it's been rough!  I feel like we've finally gotten the hang of things on one side, but not the other...My right side is still incredibly painful and that nipple isn't as "breastfeeding friendly" as the other one.  We seem to take one step forward, two steps back with that side.  She only nurses on one side per feeding session (I have incredibly fast let-down and she's a very vigorous sucker, so she gets full after about 10 minutes) so when things got rough I would pump/bottle feed her when it was time to eat on that side.  However, that was annoying and a lot of work!Any suggestions? TIA! 

laurenlomsdale

I don't have much of a suggestion but to say to keep trying to BF on the painful side. I think that's the only way it will get better. When I first started BF, I used those gel soothies by Lanisoh and they really helped heal things. I'm sure you're using lanolin to help too.

If it doesn't get better and you are in too much pain, maybe you could pump on that side while she's eating from the other, so you have it ready to go for her next feeding time. This way you're kind of hitting two birds with one stone- feeding her and getting the bottle ready for the next time. GL!

Saemilyn

I'm currently BF on the right, pumping on the left due to a really bad cracked nipple I'm trying to heal. It's working for us! I pump after each feed off righty, or every 3 hours if she's cluster feeding. If I do find myself with an hour I'll cluster pump on the left to keep up with production. She gets a bottle usually 2-3 times a day, later afternoon/early evenings because it seems my breasts are really soft then and she just can't latch. Then I pump righty too.

 

I know it's ok to feed from one side, then the other the next feeding. As long as you keep switching.

peelester429

Thanks for all the input!!  They thought the thrush could be exacerbating my pain and affecting C's latch... We are both on medicine, though they said it could take weeks to clear up.  My left side has gotten SO much better... I finally feel as though I know what BFing is supposed to be like!  Now if only I could get the right side going...

AngLK987

My lo heavily prefers the left side over the right so when it's time to fed on the right I try that first but if she is fighting it or too fussy I'll give her the left boob for 5 min then switch to the right once she's calmed down, but out feeding sessions are upwards of 45 minutes most of the time... She's a pig!