My newborn girl (3-18-08) will only nurse off of my right breast. She started off fine with both in the hospital but absolutely REFUSES to nurse off the left breast at all. I have tried crossholds, football holds, laying down, sitting her in front of me, warm compresses first, pumping first, starting her on the left breast first and switching between the two during feeding. She won't even bother latching on now and if I try to push the issue she just gets upset which makes the whole experience miserable for both of us. I did not have this problem with my previous 2 children and as far as I know there is nothing wrong with that nipple. As of now I am just pumping that breast after every time I feed her in hopes that my body will think I am just emptying both breasts. I am nervous my milk supply will dwindle from her not nursing from that side. Any suggestions or reassurance that this will pass and or not hinder the whole nursing process?
Could she have an ear infection?
I would contact a Lactation Consultant. The hospital where you delivered should have one on site, or you can find one on http://www.lllusa.org/.
In the mean time keep pumping on that side.
Hope this helps!
I never had this kind of problem, but I would talk with your OBGYN just in cause some thing may be going on that you little baby can detect from the tast diff from your milk. But keep pumping and freeze it for later. I know at one point my son would eat so little he nursed on one side and then hrs later the other so I would do as you and pump after wards so I would save an not lose my mild supply. Good luck and keep your head up.
I had a very large tumor removed from one of my breast (which impeaded the flow of milk for my first child) so I feed off of one for 6 mo. with him. Then I had it removed, and the damage of the surgery to my milk-ducts was unknown until I had my 2nd child. Turned out they were fine, but I mention this becuase after consulting a lot of specialist because breast feeding was very important to me. One can and will do the job if needed. It's just want your body gets used to. So, if it comes down to that, seek out a good lacations specialist for advise but know that if (all things going well calorie intake etc...) need you can do it with one.
Good luck!
My son did the same thing and later that day I started feeling sick, go the cold chills and come to find out I had mastitis in my breast. Its like he knew before it happened. Not saying u have an infection. I know some babies choose one breast over the other. Depending on what you eat in a day, she likes the taste of one over the other. Like vanilla icecream and chocolate.
