Please Help! Is There Something WRONG with My Breastmilk?????

Have you gotten your period back yet? Is it possible that you are having it now/getting it soon? I haven't yet, but I hear that can cause things to taste "off". Check for pregnancy too - my son definitely changed his habits when I became pregnant with my daughter, which happened when he was 16 months old.

My daughter's the same age almost exactly now, and she definitely has strong feelings about either wanting to nurse or not, one side or the other. It's so frustrating when you don't know what they're looking for. At this point my girl prefers the left side and nurses from it 2-3x/day, but will only nurse from the right side when she's quite sleepy or just woke up in the morning. I figure that side will be done first, and that's ok at this point - whatever works for her.

My kids did the excat same thing around 16/17 months. I would up being pregnant both times. I think pregnancy hormones can change the taste of your milk. Just a thought.

My son is almost 21 months and is obsessed lately with switching sides constantly. I don't know what it's about, my daughter didn't do this so I can't give advice other than to say I think it's normal. They are just strange little beings these babies of ours :)

J.-

I would start with checking that she is ok.. her refusal of one side can be from discomfort of being in that position.

Also milk does change in taste for a number of reasons... as has been mentioned, menses/pregnancy/as the milk decreases it can also taste different. - pumping can bring up a milk production if that is the issue.

good luck,

warmly,

P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

I thought ear infection, too. If you change positions (for example, if she is lying down, switch sides so your head is down and she gets the other breast on that side) does it make any difference?

I agree with the others... could be an ear infection, hormone changes (due to your menstrual cycle or pregnancy, etc) or maybe she is getting a tooth and leaning/resting her head a certain way makes her tooth/gums hurt from the pressure, etc.

It could be a nursing strike too. Hang in there for a week or so and console and offer as much as possible and try to go to a LLL League meeting or email a leader- they can be really helpful with support and diagnosing problems.

:)
M. (currently "still" nursing her 23 month old, and veteran nurser of my older daughter until she was 3.5 yrs and sooo glad I did!)

Hi J.!

I don't know if this could be it but every time my daughter acted like you are describing she had an ear infection.

I wish I could offer more!

J.