Wont nurse from right boob..?

[Raven]

Hi...

I am really confused about this and was wondering if any of you guys could offer some explanation or advice. My ds is 3 and a half months and is a really big healthy boy. We have a really good b/feeding relationship but he has started to refuse the right boob. He will just flat-out refuse to take it, but will quite happily nurse from the left boob...? He will do this for a coulpe of days then go back to feeding normally.

I have tried everything: changing position, changing the atmosphere (darker/lighter, quiter, etc), waitning till he's tired, trying after he's fed for a bit on the left side... nothing works!

My boob is so sore and engored - I have to express to relieve the pressure and it has become a major pain the ass (or boob rather...)

I have heard of nursing strikes but this isn't a full on refusal to eat.

Any suggestions...?

[RachelGS]

Does he have reflux? My baby would occasionally refuse to nurse on one side or the other, and I finally figured out that she was refluxing. Treating the reflux solved the problem. And in the short run, I could sometimes get her to nurse lying down instead.

[1Plus2]

My oldest dd started refusing my right breast at about 6 months old. No matter what I did she would not nurse from that side. I don't remember having a problem with being engorged on that side but I do remember being *really* lopsided! LOL!! Dr. Sears says in his "The Breastfeeding Book" that it is very common for babies to prefer one side over the other and some totally refuse one side. I can attest to that being true.

One thing you could do while he's in a lefty mood is to pump the other side and freeze your milk for when he begins solids. You can thaw it and use it to thin some of his food out.

[BklynJen]

My DS does the same thing! Sometimes he'll happily take the right breast, but often he won't. I find that he will more readily accept it if we are lying down in the bed. He will always take the left breast without an issue. Because of this behavior, we now refer to my right side as the "Cheap Nipple."

[carrietorgc]

will he accept if you start out on the left and then twist to give him the right but keep his body in the same position? that works for my dd.

[Katie Bugs Mama]

My DD did the same thing at the same age, although it was the left side that she refused. I don't have any idea why, but my pet theory was that she didn't like to lay on her right arm because she was already definitely showing a tendency to be right-handed.

What worked for us was to nurse lying down BUT with positioned as if she going to nurse on the right side. Then I would twist my torso around a bit and offer her the left breast. It was a little hard on my back but must less annoying than a painfully engorged left breast.

Good luck.

[Raven]

Thank you so much for your kind responses - its really good to know I'm not the only one who has this kind of situation...

I have tried nursing lying down - in fact its the most often used position - and yes I have also tried nusing lying down as if to feed on the left then positioning myself to feed off the right breast...

I like the idea about freezing the expressed milk for later use - had no idea it could last that long in the freezer tho...

Can you perhaps elaborate on the reflux thing... thanks!

[1Plus2]

Here's a link with all kinds of FAQ's about storing breastmilk:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/b...lkstorage.html

[Raven]

Thanks - great link.

Just to let you know he has started to accept the right breat again (cant figure out why tho... just releived!)

Thanks guys...

[Emilie]

pump it

i prefer the left- for many reasons- dh is now 9 months- I have one size DD breast ( leftie) and one size B.( the right side runt!) pump the boob he is not eating on. he may come around too- so keep it going. bear thru it- it will get better- and by the way- i look really funny- and it is a major pain trying to pump the runt up!!!!

[DaryLLL]

Reason #1--Difference in let down. Some babies prefer a faster letting down boob, some a slower. Is there a difference in letdown force between yr breasts?

#2-- Difference in nipple shape/size/degree of eversion.

#3--Pain. Does baby have fluid in ear? Pain in neck/spine that could be fixed with chiropractic? Reflux was already mentioned.

[Raven]

I am not too sure if the letdown is diff between breasts - I think the left may be quicker? Now that you mention it, my right nipple is rounder than the right - maybe he prefers that. I dont think he is any pain b/c he will quite happily lay in the position to feed off the right side then complain when the boob arrives.

My left boob is definately bigger than the right makes me feel all lopsided! I think I should invest in good pump - I've been expressing by hand. How often should I pump/express - after every feed?

it is a major pain trying to pump the runt up!!!!

:LOL

[DaryLLL]

If it is letdown or nipple shape he prefers, you could just go with it. Just express the less favored breast to comfort until supply lessens. Eventually the right one will be bigger than the left if he prefers it. This is more common than you might think. Lots of nursing (and non-nursing) women have lopsided breasts. No one will notice unless you point it out.

[Raven]

Thanks DaryLLL!