Breastfeeding on One Side? - Pearl City,HI

Is it painful? I nursed one-sided with my second b/c of comfort reasons with no problems, you just don't want a painful engorgment with the breast not being used. You can nurse or pump that side a bit to relieve it, hot compress and tylenol if you need it. It isn't too late at all to start using the other side. My youngest has been weaned for almost 6 months and I still have a little milk....Check with La Leche League or your doctor if things get more complicated. Good Luck

Your right breast is becoming engorged. It is full of milk that isnt being emptied. It will either stop producing eventually and re-absorb the milk, or it will get clogged and quite painful. You CAN undo it. You'll need to focus on feeding baby from both breasts. Feed from the right side first until it is relieved. =o)

You have to be careful!!! You may have set yourself up with mastitus or an absess... I would start pumping it right away and call a nursing consultant!

How LONG have you been doing this? I would consult a lactation specialist or the La Lache League to get some advice. I was guilty of using my right side a lot more than my left, simply because I was left handed and I could be doing other things while I nursed if my left hand was free. You may need to start pumping on the right side, to get the supply back up again, I don't know if your child will be willing to go to that side until it is more productive. Don't panic...talk to a local expert and they will be able to get you back in "working order" again!!!
I know that one side is more comfortable as far as holding the baby...or how you sit in your chair...etc...but after you address this issue , start nursing on alternating sides each time you nurse...and finish on the other side. That will keep things more even for you.

i think its normal to breast feed more on one side than the other. let baby nurse on both sides though. i dont know what you mean by "hardening". do you mean like it is drying up or you are becoming engorged?

try la leche league. they are nursing experts.

You should always use both sides to keep milk production fluid. If you want to nurse on left attach a pump to the right while nursing. The sucking form the left side will cause milk to flow on the right as well.

Hope this helps

I really didn't like feeding from my right breast in the beginning, it was uncomfortable to hold and it hurt, a lot.

But what happened is the milk in the breast got infected - called mastitis. My breast got very hard and hot. I ran hot water on my breast in the shower to help loosen it up and had to pump (often). My midwives had herbs and compresses and some other solutions - I am sorry I don't have those here to share. But really each person has a unique situation and I feel especially with this you should talk to someone directly.

Breastfeeding, as natural as it, takes a lot of work to get right. There are lactation consultants who have the information you need and of course there is La Leche League which is free. As well as your pediatrician.

You didn't mention that your left breast hurt, just that it is more comfortable. Just in case I wanted to say, remember the baby has to LEARN to breastfeed just as much as you do. If the latch isn't correct you HAVE TO STOP break the latch and try again, even if it 10 times or more. If the baby latches wrong your nipple will become increasingly sore - oh it goes on and on....good news is that when it's right it is easy and wonderful (also it gets easier - way easier for both of you through time).
Congratulations and good luck!
L

Do try to switch sides, at least every so often. If your breast is engorged, and you need some relief but don't want to nurse, try pumping the engorged breast. If you need breastfeeding support, go to a La Leche League meeting.

Please use both to prevent infections and also to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients he/she needs. Breastmilk has several layers of nutrition that your baby needs from the watery outer layer to the heavier creamer layer. Your body will need time to regenerate each breast. You will get used to both with practice. GOOD LUCK! Congrats on the baby. It is not too late if you start using the other side.

Your right side is getting engorged. Get into a warm shower and see if you can hand express some milk (to relieve some of the pressure), then nurse on that side! You can experiment with different positions for that side to make it easier on both you and the baby.