as with my last baby, i seem to make less milk on one side and have stopped nursing on that side altogether. other than being bigger on one side which does not bother me at all, is there any other reason this is a problem? baby is thriving etc..
no big deal...I accidentally did that too...my first baby always favored one side and for him and his 4 younger brothers after that side always produced more...I tried to alternate or always at least start on the other side, but long term I see no major difference in my body...i stopped nursing our last son about a year and 1/2 ago and I seem to be about the same cup size on both sides...
Hi C.,
I have nursed 4 children, anywhere from 10 months to 18 months, and have experienced low milk production in one breast or the other at least a couple times.
You didn't state how old your baby is, or when you are considering weaning. If you have no intentions of weaning in the next 3 months or so, I would do what you can to bring milk production back up.
You really need to continue nursing on both sides, and pump whenever possible on the side that is low, to bring milk production back up. Your baby may be growing healthy now, but will need more milk than one breast can produce, especially if your baby is under 3 months old, unless you chose to suppliment with formula.
[If you use a bottle, remember to look into a NUK nipple (and pacifiers)- its shaped most like your own, and eliminates confusion with your baby. www.NUK.com]
Plus you have to consider the ability to find a bra that will fit properly with one breast with no milk, and the other full of milk. The breast that is producing milk will become much larger than the other because it will be making 2x the milk than is normal, because your baby will be nursing longer on that one breast, and not on the other.
I understand how hard it could be to bring milk production back up, but it will be worth it, to be able to nurse your baby. You can still keep nursing time shorter on the less producing breast, but do not cut out feedings on that one completely, your baby will need that milk. And you will be more comfortable with both breast producing.
1. Remember to use that breast for feedings, even if there is only a little bit, it will take time to build up to what your baby needs.
2. And pump in between feedings, this will bring production back up close to where it should be. Enough to feed your baby.
3. Start your feedings with the lower producing breast.
Good luck
I met someone at La Leche League that did the same thing and managed to breastfeed both her children, I think exclusively. I am pumping (my daughter doesn't nurse well) and get more milk on one side than the other even with months of exactly the same stimulation on both sides. The breast with more milk was slightly bigger to begin with but not by much (less than half a cup size) and the relative sizes are still the same.
You can ABSOLUTELY nurse from just one side. That's why mom's can exclusively nurse twins! Here's some info. from my favorite breastfeeding website. It says that if your baby only prefers one side, you do not have to do anything if you are fine with the asymmetry of your breasts. Here's an excerpt and the link:
Will baby get enough milk?
Yes - your baby can get all that she needs as long as she is allowed to nurse unlimitedly and unrestrictedly - even if you nurse exclusively on only one side.
C.,
I've heard of it, even if it hasn't happened to me. I do have one side that has more and I just try to nurse more there.
Baby should be fine with one side - after all, they both produce the same thing! :)
Was on family trip, that's why so late. (no, can't call it a vacation, although DH does!)
Good luck,
Mich
Not sure what causes them to produce different amount of milk, but it is very common. Your milk supply adapts to demand and nursing patterns, so stopping nursing on that side will definitely further reduce the amount of milk it produces. If you wish to even them out more, you will need to pump and nurse on the less-producing side (and less on the side that produces a lot). The more the pump and baby demand from a breast, the more milk it will produce and vice-versa. The baby can get enough from one breast (it will produce more if it's the sole provider!), but it may be more sore and of course, you'll be uneven.
