Feeding from one side only?

[saffrongirl]

Due to a wonky nipple on one side, dd (6 months) really prefers the one breast to the other. She'll latch on the weird nipple side and will nurse but definitely not with much gusto - that side has become the "snacking" side, whereas the other is the "meal" side. Because of this, I get much less on the one side than the other and lately, have been feeding her on both sides each time we nurse because I know she's still hungry after eating on the weird nipple side. I pumped today and got maybe 2 oz from the one side and probably 4 oz from the other (and it wasn't even "emptied" yet). I know pumping isn't an accurate way to check production, but it's sort of an indication.

So other than lopsided-ness (which I have already), what are the ramifications of using the one side for "snacking" and the other for "meals"? Can this work?

[boobs4milk]

my dd3 only nursed on the left side after ~ 9 mos. it is the better producer now. i've had supply issues this time with dd4, so i start with the right side so she eats more heartily and makes it produce more. as long as your baby is getting enough, i don't see why she can't continue the way you are going.

[Bluegoat]

Sure, I have even heard of a mom who nursed twins on one side alone.

[starling&diesel]

I'm a uniboober ... I think it's actually pretty common. I once met a woman who EBF'd her seven big healthy boys for a year each on just one boob.
The lopsidedness kind of sucks though. My DD does latch onto the other one, but just for 'snacks.'

[sunnygir1]

Originally Posted by saffrongirl

Due to a wonky nipple on one side, dd (6 months) really prefers the one breast to the other. She'll latch on the weird nipple side and will nurse but definitely not with much gusto - that side has become the "snacking" side, whereas the other is the "meal" side. Because of this, I get much less on the one side than the other and lately, have been feeding her on both sides each time we nurse because I know she's still hungry after eating on the weird nipple side. I pumped today and got maybe 2 oz from the one side and probably 4 oz from the other (and it wasn't even "emptied" yet). I know pumping isn't an accurate way to check production, but it's sort of an indication.

So other than lopsided-ness (which I have already), what are the ramifications of using the one side for "snacking" and the other for "meals"? Can this work?

Wow, I'm lucky to get 4 ounces from BOTH! I think what you're doing sounds great.

[maptome]

Originally Posted by saffrongirl

...
So other than lopsided-ness (which I have already), what are the ramifications of using the one side for "snacking" and the other for "meals"? Can this work?

I have a much more productive side. Twice, I got a pretty nasty bite and had to nurse on the lesser side. DD was crabby and hungry for a few days. That one boob was just not enough for her. But not a super huge deal in the long run. I pumped on the injured side to keep up supply. My babe won't drink from a bottle, even when starving, but if your LO does, then I can't think of any ramifications...

[detroitgirl77]

You can totally feed from only one breast. My cousin fed her son like this since he would only take the one side since her other didn't produce much at all. Her son and my 2nd son are 10 days apart and he was chubbier than mine! She was quite lopsided--an a cup and a c/d cup, but when she weaned him she evened back out.