NAK
DS is 3.5 weeks and we have been nursing pretty much non-stop since day 1. we had some latch issues in the first couple of days and my right breast was really sore. I had a bruised nipple and I still get compression blanching on that side, even when I feel we've had a good latch. I used a nipple shield for a few days, but it was really hard to use and kept falling off. I think my nipples might be too big. I admit that I dread nursing on the right side because it's such a pain, and I favor my left breast since baby latches better and it doesn't hurt at all. I thought I could even out the supply/demand by nursing more on the "good" (left) side. But my right breast is just constantly sore. it gets hard and "knotty" between feedings and when DS nurses I feel a moderate let-down (which i hardly ever feel on the left breast). Baby will happily nurse for hours on end, most days. We still have latching issues on the right breast though; since I'm very big-busted, it's hard to see his latch. The only position we ever have success in on that side is to have him flat on his back on my lap with me leaning over him. It's killing my back. I'm sure the engorgement makes it even harder for him to get a good latch. I've tried pumping, but it takes ages to get even a few drops out. As soon as DS latches, he gulps and gulps, and after 10-15 minutes or so, the engorgement is gone, but the breast is still very sore. I don't have this at all on my left breast, even though I know there's plenty of milk on that side. Now I'm noticing that, in addition to the soreness and constant full feeling, that my right breast is at least 2 cup sizes larger than the left. I'm already an F cup and it's like my right breast is taking over my body! It's heavy, swollen, tender and, call me selfish, but being grotesquely lopsided is really bothering me!
How do I resolve this? Is there any way to decrease the supply on one side so my mutant boob will return to a normal size and start behaving like its sister?
DS is 3.5 weeks and we have been nursing pretty much non-stop since day 1. we had some latch issues in the first couple of days and my right breast was really sore. I had a bruised nipple and I still get compression blanching on that side, even when I feel we've had a good latch. I used a nipple shield for a few days, but it was really hard to use and kept falling off. I think my nipples might be too big. I admit that I dread nursing on the right side because it's such a pain, and I favor my left breast since baby latches better and it doesn't hurt at all. I thought I could even out the supply/demand by nursing more on the "good" (left) side. But my right breast is just constantly sore. it gets hard and "knotty" between feedings and when DS nurses I feel a moderate let-down (which i hardly ever feel on the left breast). Baby will happily nurse for hours on end, most days. We still have latching issues on the right breast though; since I'm very big-busted, it's hard to see his latch. The only position we ever have success in on that side is to have him flat on his back on my lap with me leaning over him. It's killing my back. I'm sure the engorgement makes it even harder for him to get a good latch. I've tried pumping, but it takes ages to get even a few drops out. As soon as DS latches, he gulps and gulps, and after 10-15 minutes or so, the engorgement is gone, but the breast is still very sore. I don't have this at all on my left breast, even though I know there's plenty of milk on that side. Now I'm noticing that, in addition to the soreness and constant full feeling, that my right breast is at least 2 cup sizes larger than the left. I'm already an F cup and it's like my right breast is taking over my body! It's heavy, swollen, tender and, call me selfish, but being grotesquely lopsided is really bothering me!
How do I resolve this? Is there any way to decrease the supply on one side so my mutant boob will return to a normal size and start behaving like its sister?
Remember it usually takes 6-8 weeks for supply to regulate - you are getting there!
