My 2-Month-old Seems to Prefer One Breast over the Other

A lot of times, it's how their held. My daughter did this. I had to hold her cradling-style on one side and football hold on the other. Even then, she still liked one side better... It's normal. Gets better with time.

He may not be getting enough milk. If you have a pump, try pumping extra on the side he doesn't prefer to increase your milk production. I highly suggest a Medela pump if do not have on already! It is worth every penny you spend on it! Best wishes and kudos to you for nursing!

My son did the same thing... he only wanted to nurse on the left. I thought it was because I felt more comfortable holding him on the left due to being right handed. My lactation consultant said it was normal but to offer the breast that he didn't prefer first every time, so give it a try. It did give me some relief but he always preferred and ate better on the left. Good luck, Mother of 3 boys

C.,
Congratulations on your new baby boy! I have a 9 month old son, and I am still breastfeeding him. I'm not a lactation consultant or anything, but I did spend some time with one, so let me tell you what I know. Sometimes a baby may favor one breast over the other because the breast he favors could be producing more milk, which would make it come out faster. The other breast may take more effort for him to get the milk out. Or, it could be the other way around, and the breast he doesn't want is producing so much milk that he can't latch on properly or drink it fast enough. If you notice that the breast he refuses is very firm and full, try to hand express a little out before latching him on that side. This may make it easier for him to latch on. If you think it's the opposite problem, and the breast isn't producing enough milk, you may want to start pumping milk from that breast between feedings to increase the milk supply. Remember: the more milk that comes out, the more milk your breasts will produce. I actually had almost the same problem (one breast produced so much more milk than the other, so I had to hand express mild from that breast before my son could latch on properly). I hope this advice helps a little bit! Don't give up!

Hi C.,

Congratulations on your new baby, and good for you for giving him the best start by breastfeeding! I'm a midwife, and you have received lots of good advice thusfar. Additionally, you might consider taking him to a chiropractor that specializes in kids who can very gently adjust him. I'm absolutely NOT referring to the bone-popping kind of chiro that is sometimes joked about on TV. An adjustment of a baby is done with a very gentle touch of a fingertip of a skilled professional. Sometimes a slight "kink in the neck" will keep a baby from being comfortable in certain positions. If you'd like the names of some family-friendly providers in the area, check out my website, or contact me further, and I'll be glad to provide you with some names.

B.

Mine did the same thing. I was lopsided for weeks!!! Someone told me to start her out on the breast she "ignored"---she would take it because she was hungry. It helped a lot.

I would also occasionally pump on that side if she didn't take enough to keep things on an even keel.

Good luck!

That is perfectly normal. All breastfed babies have a favorite. As it turns out all of my children perfered the right one as well. Do you have the book; What to expect the first year? If not then either buy it or go get it from the library, it is a great resource.
K.

There are many good answers already. I would also suggest starting with the breast he ignores. Face him the same direction as he is in on the other breast. (if he is cradle on the one he likes then do football on the other or vice versa) Also before you offer the breast he doesn't like you should express some milk out of it because it is harder for them to get a good latch when it is that full. You also might want to try laying down to nurse both you and baby on your sides in bed, that worked for us. Good luck and don't worry too much about it, it's no biggie. :) And congrats!

Hi there! I have a 4mo and a 2yo and have gone through this with both. Try lying him down next to you on the couch or bed with his feet toward your back so that he's in the same position to nurse from the right that he'd be in with the left breast (the "football hold"). It's a little uncomfortable, but you'll probably only have to do it for a day or two. Good luck!

I second the first poster, start her out on the side she dosen't prefer .

Had a similar issue with our 3rd boy. Sometimes the shape of your anatomy can be different or the flow can be different, etc. Two things come mind...
1. try to start pumping right before you nurse on that side. Then when you feel your milk to flow or let down, try feeding your baby.
2. I used a nipple guard for a while until he latched on well. YOu can get them at Babies R Us in the Medela supplies.

And the best thing to do is to call Northside Hospital Lactation department. It is free advice. Just leave a message and they will call you back . That way you would be getting proffessional advice. Good luck.

Hi C. :-) My only thought is that maybe there isn't enought milk coming out from that breast. Have you tried massaging to express milk yourself? Your milk ducts could be plugged up. If so just try expressing some milk and massaging just in case there's some milk thats being held up. Or it could be just your baby's preference for now. Make sure you keep pumping though....good luck!

C....I had the same problem. My daughter preferred the left breast, so I would pump the right breast when she was asleep or in between feedings. That helps and also gives your husband/significant other a chance to feed them. It gives you a nice little break as well. Hope this helps and keep up the good work. It is hard to breast feed, but it does pay off in the end!

It is pretty normal, it may be he is more comfortable laying towards on side. I would recommend pumping the one he is not feeding from, in order to keep your milk coming. Also, since he does not feed often from it, it may be he has to work harder and therefore gives up. Don't get nervous, pumping may stimulate more milk and will make it easier for him.
Congrats on the baby!

a lot of babies will do this. I agree to start her out on the side she doesn't prefer but also be sure that there isn't something going wrong with that one. You could have a slightly blocked milk duct that isn't allowing the same easy flow as the other side and this is fustrating to them. Try massaging in a warm shower to loosen things up then continue to offer that one. Also, you can hold her in the opposite arm, maybe she prefers to lay on one side than the other.