a strange question about breastfeeding?

Question

My baby is one month old (!!!) and she latches on perfectly to the left side but has difficulty latching on and staying on the right side. I've tried all different positions to help her out on the right side, but even when she DOES get a good latch on the right side she doesn't stay on near as long as the left. My mom said that if I let her eat more on the left side, my left breast will be bigger than my right one when I quit nursing.
I pretty much have no choice but to let her eat more on the left side because she comes off the right side (she'll eat for like 10 minutes max on the right side, and then 30 more on the left side after that!)
Advice? And do you think what my mom said is true??

Answer 1

Babies don't always have a preferred side. However I know that in speaking to many nursing moms most have more milk production and higher fat milk produced on their left side then their right. And, yes if you stick to the left it will get much larger then the right WHILE you are nursing.

But, I know that the let down on my right side is harder then my left and it takes less time for my son to nurse that side - so the same may be true for you. And on my right side there is a distinct second let down for the hind milk, while this is not the case for my left side.

What's my advice? Just start on the right side, she probably is getting all the milk from both sides anyway. Unless you start to get lopsided, just let it go - it will be okay. The important thing is that you are nursing her, which is wonderful. And remember over 90% of the world is lopsided even before nursing babies.

Answer 2

It's very common for babies to prefer one side. It could be that there's something about your anatomy (nipple shape, the way your nipples point, etc) or your baby's anatomy that make it easier for her to latch and nurse on the left. The fact that she has trouble latching on the right makes this likely. An occupational therapist or a cranial sacral therapist could evaluate her anatomy and see if there's some particular reason for her difficulty in latching on the right side. And since she's nursing much more frequently on the left side, you're going to produce a lot more milk on that side, which encourages her to prefer that side. . . notice the cycle?

It's perfectly fine to breastfeed only on one side. Your mom's partially right - while you're breastfeeding, the left breast is likely to be bigger than the right. As long as this doesn't bother you, there's no reason to change what you and your baby are doing. It's unlikely that your left breast will stay bigger once you stop breastfeeding. Your left breast will gradually return to a smaller size once your baby is fully weaned. Neither breast is likely to look exactly the same as before you had a baby; the hormones and changes during pregnancy will change your breast shape and size, and that could very well be permanent. But these changes will occur in both breasts, and would occur even if you never breastfed.

If you're really bothered by this, you could encourage your baby to breastfeed more on the right side. Offer the right side first at most feedings. Use breast compression to encourage her to stay on that breast longer. When her suckling slows down, cup your breast well back from the nipple and squeeze your fingers and thumb towards each other. Her suckling should increase. Hold the compression until her suckling slows again, then release, and move your hand to another area of your breast. Repeat as long as she'll continue to nurse. Try nursing her on this side when she's sleepy and less likely to notice that it's not her preferred side. You could also try wearing her in a baby sling or front carrier that allows breastfeeding, so she can easiliy nurse when she wants. If she tends to relax and nurse for comfort after she's mostly full, you could finish the nursing session on the right side. She might be more willing to spend more time if she's not frantically hungry.

Answer 3

Hi.

During my wife's breastfeeding period with our son, she had to use an electric breast pump that she used regularly. This pump was a dual pump. She pumped both sides and froze the milk in special bags. I dint know much about the size of your right side changing, but , it seems logical. I know its odd to hear a man say this but...my advice would be to let your daughter feed on the left all she wants and then pump the right side for 15 -20 minutes. I know if you dint feed her/ or pump on the right side then that side may not produce much after a while and possibly dry up . You should try to keep feeding for 6 - 10 months for optimal infant nutrition...so pumping and freezing the milk will be good for times when you aren't able to feed , such as when she doesn't latch on the right side. I know that after 6 months my son was able to hold a small Playtex bag style bottles and if your girl can do that with your thawed milk, it will give you two free hands ( and boobs!) so you can do other things like folding endless loads of laundry and answer the phone!

hope this helps!

Answer 4

Even though your baby may prefer your left side, you should always switch which side you offer first for every feeding. Ex: 5 am left, 8 am right, 11 am left, etc. I usually start the day w/ my left b/c my daughter prefers that one, but I always start the next feeding with my right, it will help maintain your milk supply in both breasts. Also keep in mind that it is very common for one breast to produce more milk than the other, so she may be emptying the right one completely in 10 minutes and the left one in 30 minutes because there is more milk in there. Good luck :)

May be TMI question, but take a look at your nipples, does the one on the right not stick out as much as the one on the left? Medela makes nipple shields to help with latching on problems, but they are supposed to be used under the supervision of a lactation consultant (so the package says), you can buy them at Target or online.

Answer 5

I have the same problem...! I just had to keep with it and try all the different positions see if one works more the other. I go to the point that it was hurting so badly on the right side from poor latches that I was afraid to get my son to eat off that side anymore and I ended up getting mastitis from not emptying it properly! so it is very important to keep trying on that side so you don't get an infection! Just keep with it, things will start getting better!

Answer 6

Have you thought about pumping the right side some to express milk? Its actually pretty common for a baby to prefer one side over another. I'm honestly not sure if it will result in one breast being larger than the other. Is there a lactation specialist you could consult at the hospital you gave birth at?

Congrats on the baby!!!!

Answer 7

as the above person stated. Babies will usually have a preferred side. Ive nursed 3 babies so far, all 3 prefered one side over the other and my breast didn't look any bigger on one side after I finished nursing.

Answer 8

Babies will often prefer one breast over the other. I would try to start her on the least favorite breast because she'll be hungriest and more apt to stay latched on to get some milk. I wouldn't give up, though - keep trying her on the one she doesn't like as much.

Answer 9

It might temporarily but, most breast aren't "perfect" or symetrical.... I breastfed both my children and they favored one breast over the other and my "post" bf breasts are just fine... Just try and switch as much as possible and you can pump the right side to empty it.. Then freeze it for when you want to go somewhere..Just get good breastmilk freezer bags. Good luck

Answer 10

your baby is only getting the beginning milk not the back milk you should express some off first, and as all have said, pop her on the right side first. good luck