Low milk supply in left breast - how can I increase?

SJP82 · Mar 20th, 2012, 01:13 AM

Hi all, Hoping someone can help!

My LO is 3 and half weeks old and I'm exclusively breastfeeding. She's my first baby and for the first 2.5 weeks it was pretty painful feeding from the left side so stupidly I would be more inclined to give her the right side more, particularly if we were out or had visitors as it was just easier. Now though, the pain is gone and I'm able to offer both sides, however it's a lot smaller on the left, and never seems to fill between feeds like the right side does. She feeds for about 5 mins on my left before getting frustrated so I have to give her my right where she is then able to happily feed for about 40 mi s.

How on earth can I bring my left side up to the same level as my right? I've been giving her my left side a lot more frequently now but she just gets so ratty and starts head butting me lol. Is it now too late to resolve the issue a d will it always have insufficient amounts to cope with her demand?

I really don't want to express/bottle feed for various reasons so im desperate for some help!

Thanks so much

Oh, and not sure if it makes much difference but I usually just giver her one breast per feed (unless giving her the left side in which case she's still hungry so have to switch). Happy to change tactic though!

Thanks

SJP82 · Mar 20th, 2012, 03:47 AM

Anybody?

Mellybelle · Mar 20th, 2012, 03:57 AM

Not sure hun. I dont think its unusual to have one breast produce more than the other. Sometimes baby just prefer one side over the other for different reasons.
Maybe try to offer the lefty first every time.
Hope someone else can be a bit more helpful. xx

Sienna2012 · Mar 20th, 2012, 04:29 AM

I'm in exactly the same situation as you, not sure what the answer is but I try to offer the left at every opportunity. I also just give one breast but now try to offer both and have noticed a slight increase in milk supply. Hope somebody else can also advise

xsadiex · Mar 20th, 2012, 07:17 AM

I'd say keep baby on their as long as possible and when she starts to get really frustrated you can pump at that side so it starts producing more. That's all I can think of, good luck x

Kirei · Mar 20th, 2012, 07:26 AM

I think it's common, I asked my health visitor about it and she said most people have one better side. My left is the same, and I always offer it first. I also pump it but I never get as much from it as the right. As long as it gets emptied I don't think it matters, as long as your baby is gaining weight, etc xxx

Mar 20th, 2012, 01:13 AM	#1
SJP82 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 90	Low milk supply in left breast - how can I increase? Hi all, Hoping someone can help! My LO is 3 and half weeks old and I'm exclusively breastfeeding. She's my first baby and for the first 2.5 weeks it was pretty painful feeding from the left side so stupidly I would be more inclined to give her the right side more, particularly if we were out or had visitors as it was just easier. Now though, the pain is gone and I'm able to offer both sides, however it's a lot smaller on the left, and never seems to fill between feeds like the right side does. She feeds for about 5 mins on my left before getting frustrated so I have to give her my right where she is then able to happily feed for about 40 mi s. How on earth can I bring my left side up to the same level as my right? I've been giving her my left side a lot more frequently now but she just gets so ratty and starts head butting me lol. Is it now too late to resolve the issue a d will it always have insufficient amounts to cope with her demand? I really don't want to express/bottle feed for various reasons so im desperate for some help! Thanks so much Oh, and not sure if it makes much difference but I usually just giver her one breast per feed (unless giving her the left side in which case she's still hungry so have to switch). Happy to change tactic though! Thanks

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Mar 20th, 2012, 03:47 AM	#2
SJP82 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 90	Anybody?

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Mar 20th, 2012, 03:57 AM	#3
Mellybelle Other BnB Elite Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 11,673	Not sure hun. I dont think its unusual to have one breast produce more than the other. Sometimes baby just prefer one side over the other for different reasons. Maybe try to offer the lefty first every time. Hope someone else can be a bit more helpful. xx

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Mar 20th, 2012, 04:29 AM	#4
Sienna2012 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: London Posts: 41	I'm in exactly the same situation as you, not sure what the answer is but I try to offer the left at every opportunity. I also just give one breast but now try to offer both and have noticed a slight increase in milk supply. Hope somebody else can also advise

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Mar 20th, 2012, 07:17 AM	#5
xsadiex Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: West sussex Posts: 2,860	I'd say keep baby on their as long as possible and when she starts to get really frustrated you can pump at that side so it starts producing more. That's all I can think of, good luck x

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Mar 20th, 2012, 07:26 AM	#6
Kirei Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 976	I think it's common, I asked my health visitor about it and she said most people have one better side. My left is the same, and I always offer it first. I also pump it but I never get as much from it as the right. As long as it gets emptied I don't think it matters, as long as your baby is gaining weight, etc xxx

Status: Offline

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