One Boob Is Out of Milk!

I've had days where one side is lagging and on the verge of being out. What's worked for me is drinking mother's tea and eating oatmeal for breakfast. I've even sneaked oatmeal into other foods (like into meatballs) to get a milk boost in the evenings. Then if the baby doesn't want the other side, pump. You probably won't get much, but massage and pump, keep it up and it should stimulate production.

Yes, you can continue with just one side but...you should try to get it back up. Is it hard? Swelling? Tender or red? You still need to be cautious of plugged ducts and breast infections. Make sure you are getting enough rest and food.

Milk is about supply and demand...and rest. I can't make milk if I'm super over-exhausted. Put your baby on the milkless side more often. Start with that side and it should come back.

I also have one master producer and a sluggish side. I had it with both kids. Reason being, I simply am more comfortable holding the little monkey to my right breast and often forget to feed on the left.

check out pump station:
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Good luck!

Water! I was talking to a friend of mine, who just gave birth recently, who was commenting on how much water she is drinking, which reminded me that I drink about a gallon of water a day, along with milk and juice and so forth. Also, start your child on the non-producing side, it should come back...
Good luck
R.

Yes, you can continue on one side (many people do it). However if she has been nursing on the side you think is empty, then I'd keep offering it, as long as she is sucking, it will make milk. Just keep taking care of yourself like you are, drink lots of water and eat well. I do have a friend who's son only nursed on the left and he nursed past 2 years of age, so it can be done.

Best wishes,
M.

S.,

One boob is perfectly able to produce enough milk by itself. Women with twins can produce enough for both of them, there is no reason why you can't produce enough milk in one boob. My son liked to nurse on my left side and not my right. He self weaned at 18 months and I had no problem keeping up with him with basically one boob.

:-)T.

I had this problem too. It was because I was nursing more on one breast so by doing so I was telling that breast to supply more milk on that side. I got help with a La-lecha league mother she told me to nurse the empty side first and longer telling that side you need more. My baby had a favorite side and so did I and the milk supply went to that side. Try and notice if you nurse on that side more.
Good luck. M. R

The same thing happened to me when my son was 8 months. I called a lactation consultant and they said to pump for five minutes on that side after every feeding. My son did not want to feed on the left side because there was no milk. When I pumped at first, I got only a few drops after five minutes. After a week of consistently pumping after every feeding, I was back up to getting the 4-6 ounces in five minutes. I didn't take any herbs or do any other type of remedy. Your body supplies when there is a demand! Good luck! Relax about it though - if I was stressed or rushed while pumping, I didn't get much milk. Read a magazine, watch your baby nap or scoot around. Enjoy this time!

I think the teas... are gimicks. Just eat healthy foods and drink plenty water. Your boob probably isn't empty, just may not feel full to you, buy your baby may be getting milk. YES keep nursing!! I would find a Le Leche League group nearby or find a breastfeeding support through your hospital. It is rare that one would dry up but not the other. Hang in there and keep doing what's best for your baby. lelecheleague.com

Of course you can! Nothing will happen, except for a slight difference in size and shape which will completely go back to baseline by the second month you stopp nursing.

your baby might not like that boob. no worries, i had really low supply on one and the other one was the mama producer. it was bigger than the other one. it is ok, sometimes it is just like that. your baby chooses a favorite.

I would imagine nursing from only one side could not hurt either of you..check with yur doctor, though.

I was talking to my mom yesterday about nursing. She mentioned that "Garbanzo" beans are great for producing milk. She said with my younger brother she ate a lot of garbanzo and her milk was constantly spilling. If you don't like garbanzo, you might want to try it out, if nothing else for it's benefits, but if you do like it, it's seems like a pretty painless fix.

Hope you find an answer that works for you.

I nursed all three of my children off of one side, at least for a year. They would never latch on, and it was hard to get milk out of (even when pumping). It didn't seem to hurt any of them or myself.

Kids are now 11 1/2, 9 1/2, and 3.

Yes, you can continue with just one side. Or you can keep offering her the other side since supply follows demand.

Check with your local La Leche League group or leader -- they are a wealth of free information!! You can search La Leche League International online to find your local group information and a hotline number.

That happened to me and our PED told me to start on the low side first because baby sucks a bit harder in the beginning. It will come back. Be sure no infection or plugged ducts.

There isn't a problem with using one breast, but it will be bigger than the other! I wouldn't give up yet, but would get a pump and try to "get it going again". I am wondering if your pediatrician has some good advice...or hopefully you will get some from this sight. If not, contact La Leche League. I had a lot of problems when i first started breastfeeding and they helped me tremendously. Breast feeding is sooo good for the baby and so easy too!! Good Luck

HI there-
I have encountered the same thing. The only thing that I have found on the market that actually worked, is more milk plus. you can google the item and order it online. trust me, this product really works. The only side-effect is more than normal sweating when you are taking the product. this is due to the product having your sweat glands produce more. this works because the boobs are enlarged sweat glands.

I would recommend offering the left breast first for a couple days when feeding and then go to the right. It may not have dried out but simply adjusted and simply feels empty. If she's happily sucking at it odds are she's getting something. If the right breast doesn't get emptied enough during the next couple days of offering the left first hand express a little of the extra out or take one feeding a day where you offer it first, you don't want to find yourself with anything plugged or infected.
I hope that makes since.
After a while your breasts sort of level out and can seem empty. They still make milk as needed, they just don't have a lot hanging out in reserve and it doesn't come out quite as fast in adjustment to the improved suck of your child.
Have you tried pumping or hand expressing the side in question to see if anything comes out?
My boys would go through spells where they favored one side over another but niether side ran out of milk ever.
Good luck!