Breastfeeding Question: Left Breast Pumps Out More Milk than Right Breast...

Updated on April 30, 2011
M.R. asks from Corona, CA
17 answers

I breastfeed my three week old during the day but I pump for about 15-20 minutes at night. My left breast ALWAYS gives more milk than my right. Tonight was the record breaker though; I pumped 5 ounces from my left and only 1 ounce from my right! Is something wrong, has this every happened to anyone else? I'm getting a little worried. Maybe I have blocked ducts, but I have no pain whatsoever. I will contact a lactation consultant, but I just wanted to get some feedback on here too. Thanks in advance.

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M.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think this is totally normal. I had one breast that gave out a lot more milk than the other one too. And if you had a blocked duct - you'd know it. It's pretty painful.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes, I always got more out of my left breast than my right; most women get more out of one side, usually the right.

I think I tried starting my daughter off on the right side 2x, then once on the left, 2x right, once left. Eventually it evened out a bit, but the left always produced more.

You're normal!

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

My right boobie ALWAYS produced more milk, I was always lopsided for a year, lol. She hated my leftie, so my right got WAY more attention.
3 years later, my left boobie is still smaller, lol. The beautiful scars of doing right by your child..... Lol.

3 moms found this helpful
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R..

answers from Chattanooga on

I have the same issue. It sucks too, because my DD is almost 1, and I've gotten pretty lopsided. :P I usually try to nurse her more on the side that produces less, hoping that it will help, but it doesn't really. I wouldn't worry as long as you are able to get enough to keep your baby full. :)

2 moms found this helpful

L.L.

answers from Rochester on

Your breasts create milk independent of one another, and let down is also independent. You may be favoring that breast in the morning when she nurses more; it may be the side you lay on at night, etc. I wouldn't worry about it, as long as collectively you are producing enough milk. :)

2 moms found this helpful

P.M.

answers from Tampa on

Nothing is wrong... it's normal for one breast to not only be the favored one of the infant's but also one which will produce more. Pumps are a horrible way to gauge your milk production anyways - so never equate what you pump to what you have in your breasts.

Keep doing what you are doing and do not forget to nurse on demand as much as possible!!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I was always lopsided. I had a "better" side. It was not uncommon to only get 4-6 ounces total, double pumping with a good pump (PISA). Most women have a better side and some people even have one side that gives up but they successfully nurse only from the working side. I wouldn't be too worried about it. With a pump, you can see the ounces, but try not to get caught up too much in amounts. Go for averages and need. Your baby will only need 2-2.5 oz bottles at this age anyway.

kellymom.com has good info

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

For me, leftie is the "milk dud" - it's totally common. BUT if you're using a double pump, do you always use the same side of the pump for the same breast? Sometimes I have a little luck by switching it up.

Also, try stopping, turning the pump off, and then shaking your breasts and tweaking your nipples a little (yes, really) before turning the pump back on. Sometimes I can get another letdown that way, and my left almost catches up to my right.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.K.

answers from Honolulu on

My right gave more in the beginning then my left caught up. Now their pretty much even. It may just be the pump. If when/after you feed baby on your right side and (s)he is full I think it's ok.

I work FT and don't pump/make as much milk as before but I feed her when I get home she seems full.

Good luck- let us know how it goes.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.N.

answers from Las Vegas on

Very common for it to be that way. You can try pumping or nursing the right side first more often, but it doesn't really matter. As long as you know about it and your baby is getting enough milk from both/either breast in total, that is what matters. Also, your milk will fluctuate, three weeks is just the beginning, so once your body adjusts a bit more, that could help regulate the amount of milk in both breasts.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was like that; with my son, my right breast almost always pumped more than my left one. I was working during the day and whenever I pumped, the right one was always more than my left one. Sometimes it would be close, sometimes it would be a big difference. I would think that if you aren't feeling engorged or having any pain in your left breast, it's probably normal. Does your baby feed more off of one breast than the other? Maybe it's just how your breast is with the pump. I think it's always a great idea to contact a lactation consultant about anything regarding breastfeeding, so definitely do that. I just wanted to tell you that it happened to me, too, and it was fine. Congratulations on your baby!

1 mom found this helpful

A.F.

answers from Chicago on

My one breast ALWAYS produced more than the other....it has more ducts and if I watch it when I pump, more spray on the side that has more milk. I nursed and pumped with 2 kiddos....and about 3 weeks away from my due date with baby #3. If you don't have pain or a tender hard spot on your breast, I doubt it is a plugged duct. Eat oatmeal and drink plenty of water. The fact that you get 5 oz from one breast at NIGHT for a three week old alone is pretty remarkable. Milk production is usually highest in the morning and tapers as the day goes along and your baby is so small that there is no way he or she could possibly polish off 6 oz before bed. Hope you are freezing that stuff! Best wishes!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had exact same situation for my two kids. Even they both increase the supply, but, still the left is more than right. I believe it is normal and as long as you don't have any uncomfortable area with your right. So, just let it be.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was/am the same way with both kids (currently nursing my 11 week old) and I'm thinking since you have no pain, discomfort or supply problems, nothing to worry about.
I agree with coffeemama, good to check with a lactation consultant.
Congrats!

1 mom found this helpful

M..

answers from Ocala on

I have four kids, I have breast feed all of them and this has happened to me each and every time with each one and right now I am breast feeding my fourth one. She is 5 months old and I am having this problem right now.
I have started to take Fenugreek ( from GNC ) to help me make more milk.
I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.
Congratulations on your new little bundle of Joy.

God Bless.

1 mom found this helpful

H.V.

answers from Cleveland on

From what I always have heard, its totally normal and actually pretty common.
Mine did the same.
My kids also preferred one over the other, which of course,. made it worse.
The more you use it the more milk is produced.

Yes it is really annoying. Considering with that extra production your breasts tend to be uneven. grrr :) It will even out

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

Same thing happened to me. It was frustrating! But my lactation consultant said that sometimes that happens and it is normal. Just the way it is sometimes. But yes, like others have said if you have a blocked duct you would know it. It hurts. You probably do but just make sure to clean the girls well after each nursing to help prevent that from happening.

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