Supply Going down on One Side Only - Ideas?

Sounds like you have clogged ducts on your left side. This is the most common cause of a decreased milk supply on one side only. I had this several times while nursing and actually went to a physical therapist who specialized in women's health to have them worked out. You can try warm compresses (use a diaper) and then massaging the breast extensively. Keep pumping/nursing that side though so the supply doesn't decrease even more. A lactation consultant should be able to direct you toward a physical therapist in your area.
Good luck!

I have 3 boys, and each one of them preferred my left breast to my right. The let down on the right was not as fast, and they quickly came to figure that out, crying & fussing when I'd put them on that side. With my first, after about 4 months, I ended up nursing him solely on the left side, for about 6 months. My Dr. said it was fine as long as he was thriving, which he was. When I stopped nursing him though (at 10 mos.), my breast were uneven in appearance. It was only noticible without clothes on, but it bugged me. So, with each successive child, I nursed them longer on the right breast - trying to always start on that side. They would still each reject it eventually, but later & later. I nursed each on until 10mos., and my second didn't reject it until about 6 mos., and my 3rd didn't reject it until about 8 mos. It has now been almost 2 years since I nursed, and I don't feel there is a noticible difference in the sizes of each breast in comparison to each other (in comparison to how they USED to look pre nursing is a whole different issue!!). I have to say, I do think it's weird though - I am also a type I diabetic, and when I prick myself to test my blood sugar, for some reason I get more blood on my left side too! Sometimes I can't even get a drop out of my right side! Finally, it didn't help that I am right handed, so having my right hand free to hold a book or phone or drink was appealing when nursing.
Hope that helps!

try to figure out what is going on on that side. i found that i nursed one side last/longest at night just because the couch was that way and i would have a drink on the side table, and that the baby didnt nurse as well on the other side because my bracelet was sticking him in the back of the head! these things together made a difference. do a couple of extra nursing/pumping sessions on the low side each day, and be sure to nurse the baby first/longest on that side an extra time or 2 each day. it should help to build back up. good luck, D.

the more you nurse the more the supply increases... find a way to nurse more on that side.

massage the breast before nursing,
and always start with the smaller one,when he is finished switch and the attach the pump massaging the breast before pumping.

relax, and imagaine the let down in the breast.

drink plenty of water,

And thats about all you can do

M

Does the baby breast feed more on one side at night? That could be why you are pumping less on one side. you should start with the breast that you get less out of when you start breastfeeding at night. and make sure to drink lots of fluids. Apply moist heat to the breast that you pump less out of. This might help with the let down. I stopped breast feeding my youngest daughter at around 6 months, because she just didn't like the taste of the breast milk after awhile. But, I also, supplemented with formula. Then, when she turned 1 yr. it was just milk. Hope I helped you out some.

Hi, L.,

I have always gotten more milk from one breast than the other. When I notice that the "lazy" breast is even lazier than usual, I try massaging it while I'm pumping. That seems to help a lot. To do this, it helps to be using a hands-free pumping bra/bustier. Do you have one? I highly recommend it. I use this one:

http://www.easyexpressionproducts.com/

Good luck,
A.