Since I have began breastfeeding my right breast is much smaller than my left and latley my baby has been refusing to eat on that side( he will for about 2 or 3 minutes and then he crys until I switch him to the other side). Has this been a problem for anyone else and what did you do to "even things out"?
2007-03-14 10:30:29 · 14 answers · asked by Sheena 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
sweetie try expressing that side to get the flow built up to match the other one, good luck
2007-03-14 10:34:04 · answer #1 · answered by Sunshine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try pumping the other side if he doesn't take to the other side well. It could be a few things. Your milk flow might be different on the other side. If you don't want to spend the money on a pump you can do it yourself my pinching around your nipples. While you are at it get some breastmilk storage bags so that you can have extra milk in the freezer when you're running low. Breastfeeding is a great thing and it's a lot of work! Congrats on the baby and great job on nursing! I think we all that nurse suffer from this problem occasionally so don't be embarrassed.
~Proud Mom of a 6 Month Old Baby Girl~
2007-03-14 11:53:03 · answer #2 · answered by qtiequawn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had this problem many a times u have to get you little tike to feed from the breast as much as possible or pump it it'll probably take a little time but things will get evened out.....all my babies have preferred a boob at one time or another its no biggie...while weaning my second child i only fed him nights for about a month or two and he was more comfy laying on his left side so he ate from the same boob all the time and the other dried up it was a bit silly looking but it was functional ( i just bought one of those bras where u can take out or add padding to the bottom of the cup and packed one with padding and didn't pad the other)
2007-03-14 10:46:32 · answer #3 · answered by adriannemae 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had that same problem! My son was favoring my right breast and completely neglecting the left. I was pumping for a while to relieve the engorgement until I visited a lactation consultant. She helped me realize that my son was not latching onto my left breast properly, so he was not getting any milk when I attempted to nurse. He would get frustrated and just cry until I offered the other side. I tried using a different hold and it worked! Try different nursing positions and check that he is latching on well. If the breast is too full, pump a little out so that it is soft enough for him to get into his mouth. Good luck!
2007-03-14 10:39:01 · answer #4 · answered by Mom23 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OMG I'm going through the same exact thing...lol..only reversed..lol I'm leaning to the right!
You know...I just started pumping like a maniac and I go almost twice as long on the smaller side.
I also always offer that one first.
It has taken about a month...and they are almost the same size again
I have the same problem though...my son preferred the right, and since that one got more use...it produces more ...so it's the one he always wants more cause he doesn't have to work as hard to get a meal...
You may also want to off the smaller one after he's eaten a bit so he isn't starving...that way he may be willing to put in the extra effort to get the milk.
But when all else fails...pump pump pump
Good Luck!!
2007-03-14 10:42:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try pumping the breast that he is refusing for a while after the baby has eaten to even out both sides.
2007-03-14 10:34:30 · answer #6 · answered by *Logan's Mommy* 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your baby prefers the left side, start him in the cradle hold on the left side. Then , part way through the feeding, slide him directly across your body without changing his position and try latching him on to the right breast. Sometimes this fools them and gets them to take the less prefered side. Also, sometimes if they aren't quite awake you can get them to take the side they don't like.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/lopsided.html
2007-03-14 11:15:12 · answer #7 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happened to me. Didn't fix itself after I stopped trying to nurse.
It could be that you are more comfortable holding him in a particular position (I'm right-handed, and was just not comfortable holding my son in a way that allowed him to nurse on the right side, and he could sense it). Try finding a nursing pillow or get someone to help you hold him in a way that makes you comfortable but allows him to nurse on your other side. It could be he feels less secure if you're uncomfortable holding him.
Switch back to the breast he prefers for a moment, but keep bringing him back to the one he dislikes. Maybe it's an acquired taste.
2007-03-14 10:36:39 · answer #8 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could be a flow problem try expressing, or he could be uncomfortable "laying" on that side, try a different position, like from under the arm pit on that side rather than across your body.
Good Luck and good for you for not giving up!
2007-03-14 10:47:13 · answer #9 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best suggestion, not knowing how old your infant is, would be to contact a lactation specialist if your hospital has one. A lactation specialist is a nurse with an extensive background in breastfeeding and can help with almost any problem. Or you can contact "La Leche". They may be able to help.
2007-03-14 10:37:34 · answer #10 · answered by Laura K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋