Latching on and Uneven Engourgement

Hi E.,

Pumping the left breast and massaging it regularly to unclog any ducts should help clear up the problem. Breastfeeding is a little tricky at first but it gets easier as you go. I loved the la leche league website and also a website called www.breasfeeding.com. I went on that website all the time for breastfeeding info and always found it helpful. Also, there are breast feeding supply stores around the valley that have very helpful employees in them. Not sure what part of the valley you are in but, there is a store in Mesa called Baby Mother and More and the store owner, Chuck, is great! He is so very helpful and seems to know just about everything there is to know. And, if he can't answer the question for you there is a lactation consultant that is there to help by phone.
Hope all this info helps. Happy breastfeeding and congrats!!

1 mom found this helpful

You might want to examine how you are positioning him on your left breast. Maybe he isn't getting a good latch or is uncomfortable on that side. See how it compares to how he is on the right one.

But don't stop feeding on the left breast. Milk will come according to demand, so if you stop, there will be less. Even if you have to hand express or pump a little on that side. In fact, that might help get more milk appear. Perhaps, hand express a little before putting to the left breast. With a little milk coming out that may encourage him to stay with it.

J. Streit
HypnoBirthing Educator and Doula
Rio Rancho
www.posihd.com
###-###-####

1 mom found this helpful

oh my gosh, I have a 3 week old and I had that same problem! I had to do the football hold on that side becuase it seems to work better. Make sure that his body is totally facing you and make sure you get him to open his mouth really wide. The best way is to rub your nipple on his nose so his head is turned up then pull him into you quickly. I went to breastfeeding.com and it had lots of great ideas and pictures so I could see what the problem was. It ended up being his lower lip would be curled into his mouth instead of outside of it.
As far as your uneven engourgement, you should pump to relieve the pressure, but don't pump too much becuase it will continue to fill up more and more. Once he gets his latch right it will even out. Mine did. Congratulations and good luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful

go to a chiropractor! It's hard work being born, not suprising that babe is a little out of alignment. You want someone who is trained in the Webster Technique and works with children. Even after one adjustment, you will see a difference. Good luck.

Alternate which side you start on. I've heard of children having their "favorite" sides but you need to alternate anyway. He will get the hang of it. I breastfed all four of my children for 9-26 months. And my boys got the hang of it faster than my girls did. My girls had trouble but I kept with it and we both got the hang of it eventually. Good luck and congratulations!

Hi there and CONGRATS on your lil guy!!!! I had the same thing happen to him, hope this helps you can try pumping a lil on that side it seems like that made it a lil easier!!!! I think it is great you are breastfeeding just relax and keep up the good work!!!!

You might want to call Mama's Latte, ###-###-#### and talk with Sybylle or TJ. They are lactation counselors and they're very good at figuring out and solving problems realted to latching on. Good luck!

C. Villa

From my experience it is often the case that one side produces better than the other, my guess is that this is the case, so he may just be frustrated by this. One thing you could try is pumping some on that side to try and even it out some. But sometimes pumping doesn't work for some women, I know I can never pump more than an ounce from both of my breasts combined. Another thing you may wish to attempt is eating garlic. Breast milk is flavored by what we eat and amazingly garlic is one of the things they have found flavors the milk in such a way that babies just can't seem to get enough of it. Who knows maybe something like that would do the trick. The good news is while it is making you uneven he is getting what he wants and needs, this is the most important part. Don't stress too much over this it will only make it harder on both of you. My first experience with breast feeding was so difficult and stressful that I ended up suffering from some postpartum depression. I didn't have enough milk and had to supplement... it took me a long time to adjust to that being just the way it had to be for me. On my second baby things went much much smoother. I ended up having to supplement again but I was much more relaxed about it and I actually had more milk too. It all turned out all right. Both of my girls are very healthy little girls now. Starts can be rough sometimes but the two of you will get the hang of it. I also highly recommend meeting with a lactation consultant... some hospitals offer this even after you take the baby home. They can really put your mind at ease about things. Good luck, I hope things go well for you and your little one.

www.milksmile.com

they have the best lactation consultant EVER there. they're open every day.

Before I started nursing, I never realized how different each of my boobs was!! They both have a very unique breastfeeding personality, that's for sure. My advice is just to stick with it, keep on putting him on the less-dominant breast first. Those first couple weeks are very hard, but it won't be long before he's a pro at latching. It is not uncommon for a baby to have a preference for one over the other. My left side lets down a hundred times faster than my right, so when he's hungry, he (now 11 months old) goes for the left one. But if he's just leisurely wanting to suck, he's happy to start on the right. Your body will make enough milk regardless of which breast he is more fond of. Just keep putting him to both of them as much as possible.

I would caution against pumping on the less-dominant side while you are establishing your supply during these early weeks. You can over-stimulate your supply, which can cause problems of its own. I had over-supply and it made my boobs so full of milk that for about 2 months my baby did not enjoy nursing, and there was so much milk coming down, my LC said, imagine trying to latch onto and drink from a hose on full force while lying down. Also, when there is too much milk, they will get too much of the watery stuff before the hind milk comes in, which can cause intestinal issues and they might not get all the good fatty stuff they need. Just don't pump for the first couple weeks as long as your baby is getting everything he needs.

Good luck and congrats on your committment to giving your baby the best nourishment available!!

Congrats on your new baby! I have actually had the exact same problem with both of my boys. Neither of them have enjoyed nursing on my left side. My right is always bigger and now fuller. I tried pumping and it was never clogged, I think that perhaps it just never was able to produce enough milk. What I do is I just continue to try, my second son is now 3 months old. If he is really hungry I will start on the right and them move him left. Anyway, if you call the hospital where you delivered you should be able to meet with a lactation specialist for free. This is what I would recommend. Good luck!
W.

Maybe he's having issues with the left b/c it is full? You could try pumping that side to make more milk; another idea is to trick him.....I used to keep my baby facing the same way (like set him up to nurse on the right then scoot him to the left, with his body still against you as if he were taking the right, does that make sense?) so it will end up that he is on your left but it feels the same to him as being on the right, make sense? It could just be a quirkly comfort thing that he will grow out of....I also suggest watching the clock for a while and just do 5 minutes on each side and keep switching so the milk evens out. Also, if you are too engorged, pump the right or express some milk in the shower to get some relief~ Happy nursing!

I have to say that your breasts are different from when you are born - not just because you had a baby or due to his nursing. Most women have a slight difference in size and my opinion is that it is due to more milk ducts in one side. When I first nursed my first, he preferred the right because he didn't want too much milk. Once he got to where he wanted more milk, he preferred the left. At some point, many months later, he basically refused the right side because the let down was so much slower and less. I tried to avoid this with my second, and now with my third, but eventually it happens. No matter how your baby nurses, now that the milk ducts are "engaged," I bet you'll always see a size difference. He may be more likely to take the smaller side once he is a little satisfied and isn't ravenous. Also, from experience, no matter how much I pump the smaller, it would never over-produce, so don't worry about that.

E.,
My youngest daughter had the same issue. It turned out that she didn't like laying on her left side. Consequently, I nursed her on both breasts, always starting with my right breast (the less prefered side) on her right side. I propped her up with pillows under my arm. It was a little awkward at first but we both got the hang of it. Because I always started on the right she was hungrier and more likely to nurse more vigorously. When we switched to the left side she spent more time cuddling while she nursed. By the time she was four months old she prefered sitting up while nursing. She is twenty years old now and still preferes to sleep on her right side. Good luck with your precious son.
K.

Ahhh, the joys of breastfeeding! I breastfed all 4 of my children, and I did have this problem with my 3rd child. For now, I would pump the milk on the left side to "even" yourself out, while still offering that breast first at every feeding. After a few more weeks, he should start feeding on both. Also, you can try a different position, such as tucking him under your arm, or lying on your side. Most babies do have a favorite side, which is usually the right, because we are usually more comfortable holding them that way. A boppie is a great help to support him or your arm if it gets tired, since our left arm is usually the weaker side. You can also squeeze a few droplets out, so that he tastes milk immediately and may latch on quicker. Good luck to you!

You must alternate which side you start on. For awhile start on the left until your breast even out. I suspect that your baby is not as hungry when he gets to the left side and so he wants to play a little. Also, burping your baby between each side may help. There just might be a little bubble inside of his body that must come out so that he will be comfortable enough to continue on. Hope this helps. I am a mommy of 9 children. All were nursed until they weened and two of my little angels were twins. Best of luck. N.

First, don't get discouraged. Keep going! Second, call LLL or a lactation consultant. Don't hesitate. The money you spend is nothing compared to paying for formula for a year. It's an investment in your child's nutrition, health and your bonding. Also, if you are still having troubles and just need a little help over time, this place has breastfeeding classes and help, as well as a link to the local LLL:
http://www.bodymindandspiritabq.com

Finally, I was also going to suggest the football hold. Also, you may have to hold the breast at just the right position and shape for him. This is normal and not something you'll have to do forever.

Again, please get help if you need it! Good luck.

E.,
First off, kudos to you for making the decision to breastfeed! It is the best thing you can do for your baby :)
I would suggest trying to pump your left breast after baby has fed from the right. This will let your body know to reproduce milk in the left as well as the right. Your body is like a factory (sounds terrible but it's a beautiful factory!)right now and will supply milk on demand. Because baby feeds better from the right it is naturally producing more. I hope that the pumping helps and keep encouraging your little guy to feed from both breasts, you guys will figure out what works for you!
~D.

That's hard when they prefer one breast over the other.
Have you tried holding him in a different position to nurse on the left? Instead of cradle in front of you, hold him "football" style to the left of you - just like you were holding a football cradled in your arm on your side. Your left hand would cradle his head and his body/feet would be pointing behind you, supported by pillows or boppy. Maybe try expressing a little milk out of your left breast first to see how much is coming out. Is it clogged? Try pumping your left side to stimulate more milk production. Try nursing on that side first...but if he's really hungry that could just frustrate him more. Maybe try it when he's calm but still wants to nurse more. Nurse on demand, newborns should not have a schedule that is convenient for us. Feed him with little to no other distractions. I'm sure you've tried everything. This is what I can think of from my own experience. There are many great lactation consultants out there who can come to your home. It would be worth the $ for the extra support and knowledge. Mostly, as much as you can, and I know it's frustrating:), be as calm and stress free about it as possible....babies really pick up on our moods. He's still very little, often it takes time for both mamma and baby to get the hang of this - keep with it. It will pay off:)

Much good energy for happy nursing.

A.

Call for a lactation specialist or LLL as soon as possible. Everyone that I know that has allowed these frustrations to force them to quit too soon has regretted it. They are the experts and can see firsthand what is best for your situation. They can pick up on things you might never even think to ask.

Hi. I am a retired RN and my field was OB/GYN. It sounds to me like you are engorged on one side. This is a very common condition. There are some simple things that you can do to allieviate this.
Treatment includes frequent nursing or pumping of breast, breast massage and warm compresses prior to emptying the breast, and anti-inflammatory drugs (tylenol or ibuprofen in small doses). I believe that ibuprofen crosses the milk barrier so it should be taken in smaller doses and after breast feeding.
It could be that the baby just doesn't like laying on that side. Believe it or not, some babies do have preferences. If that is the case, try holding your little bundle under your arm like a football when nursing on that side. See if it makes a difference.
That should give you something to start with. The most important thing for you to remember is that this is normal. There are always little obstacles to overcome when breastfeeding. It is new to both of you and you will learn together how best to do it. Give it time. And...enjoy your precious little one.

i had to pump on one side for a couple days to a week to get it to start producing enough. I would not use a manual they never worked for me. i would pump every hour for 20 minutes on the one breast and feed with the other until I could get enough milk to feed with. and then I went to feeding my son on both sides and it worked great and then I could aslo pump and let dad feed so i could have a moment of piece and quit to relax and it was nice having that pump... Also my one side always produced more I could fill up a 6 oz bottle in 5 minutes and the other side would tke 10 to 15 minutes. Plus I also know that there have been other ladies unable to feed from one side and never produced but try pumping first before you give up.. Good luck and have fun with the little one they grow so fast...

Hi E.,
It might help to pump on the left breast to bring up the milk production and in doing so when you are ready you to give the baby a bottle you can have it stored in the freezer and your husband can feed him. Be careful to massage your breast every day so you don't get a blocked milk duct and end up with mastitis. Once your milk production is up maybe the little one will latch on better.
Good Luck and congratulations.
Barb

Maybe he likes laying on his left side..... I think that's the side he lays while nursing on your right side. You could wrap his body around yours so he is laying on his left side while nursing from your left side. You hold him like running w/ a football.... hope that makes sense. Just keep offering him your left side! He'll get the hang of it. What a blessing! Enjoy!

Although they do tend to favour one side and you end up lopsided (until they are weaned unfortunately) there are some things you can do to "even it out". This is what I do. I always start on the smaller, least favoured side. On me this side tends to be very milky but hard to get going so I dry it off every time she detaches. It seems easier for her to latch on when it is dry. Eventually she got the hang of it so I don't have to dry it anymore. I still start with that side and she still prefers the other side but at least it gets use. Good luck!

try pumping on that side and I would also continue to stay the course and try to keep letting him nurse. It is also normal for one side to produce a little better than the other.

Check out Best Fed. They have International Board Certified Lactation Consultants who can gelp you. I was so engorged when my son was bord that I went from a C cup to a G cup. After my first appointment with Best Fed I went down to a D cup. I could feed him fine on my right breast, but my leaft breast I had problems getting latched properly. I would recommebnd them to anyone and I know a few other mom who have used them. http://ebestfed.com/contact.html this is therir website. I live in the west valley so this was the closest place for me to go, there are places thatare similar to this throught out the valley but they have different name. If it is to far for you to travel to, they will come to your home also. If you go with a different company, make sure you see an Internationaly Board Certified Lactation Consultant, they are specially trained and have to have a lot of exoerience and training to get this certification, this way you know it is an expert helping you and not just someone who thinks they know what they are doing. Get help before your milk ducts clog, this can be very painful. In the meantime, pump so you don't loose the milk supply in that breast.

I do not know what to tell you, but I know who can help you. Contact your local la leche league. They are educated, experienced women who volunteer their time to help with breastfeeding issues and will be glad to help you. Dont give up! Nursing is an amazing, rewarding experience. Good luck

I have breastfed all four of my children for close to 2 years - my left one never made as much milk as the right. I tried starting on it every time (which you can try too), but it just never really did as well. Ironically, at first (before they realized that there wasn't as much milk) they preferred this side. Anyhow, stay patient, things will improve and he will become better able to stay latched on. Check your sitting position - is it comfortable for both of you? Try different holds, use a boppy or pillow to help. As long as he is getting enough, don't worry too much and your breasts will settle in soon and the physical difference won't be as noticeable. Good luck and congratulations!!!!

Hi E.,
Congratulations on your new baby. I have a six week old baby and had some resistance from her feeding on my right side but nothing to the extent of what you are dealing with. Maybe the flow from the breast you are having problems with is too slow? I have no idea really but I do have a great resource that I use currently as well as with my son when he was a baby. Baby, Mother and More in Mesa. ###-###-####. It is owned by a man but there is a woman named Mary who gives free breastfeeding classes as well as advice. A great resource as well as supportive. Good luck.

I too had a lot of trouble getting my son to latch on the left side. I finally got the hang of the "football hold" with the help of the boppy pillow (his feet sticking out behind my left elbow with his head in my left hand and I would swadle him first). For the first 6 weeks or so when I nursed him on the left I had to hold him like that and he would latch and nurse fine. After that (@ 6 weeks old)he would nurse on the left with the more traditional cradle hold. Good luck.

Hello,
Although it has been many years since my children were babies I breast fed all three with no problem. I would suggest using a breast pump to stimulate production of milk on that side. Good luck, and don't get discouraged.