Can I Re-lactate other breast after feeding on one breast for two months?

[bebestar7]

LO has been EBF on one breast, he had terrible trouble latching on in the beginning and would only latch to the right.  Now he will latch easily to both, but I have been feeding only on one side for two months.  Is it possible to re-lactate in the other breast?  Anyone have experience/advice on this?  I am fine using just the one, but would like to use both if possible.

[Ravin]

You should be able to. I'd start by switch feeding--alternate frequently between breasts. This should give plenty of stimulation to the relactating breast while not letting baby get too frustrated. Any time you think he's comfort nrsing, opt for the off breast.

Edited by Ravin - 3/15/11 at 2:51pm

[Kuba'sMama]

I also nurse primarily on the right. I do have some milk on the left (if I squeeze it, milk comes out) but more on the right. DD has been favoring that one almost since birth. I try to offer the left one sometimes, to build up supply, get back into feeding on both, etc. but she's just not happy with it, so used to the other one I guess.

So i'm saying that building up supply for me hasn't been a problem as much as getting dd to accept the other one. Maybe I let it go on for too long.

[Megan73]

Have you tried pumping on the "off" breast while LO nurses on the right?

[emilysmama]

I think there is a good chance that you can.  I had an abscess due to untreated mastitis, and for at least 6 weeks it was just left that way because I couldn't find anyone to take it seriously and diagnose it.  The milk dwindled down to pretty much nothing, even though I constantly attempted pumped/breastfed. So I was essentially feeding and pumping exclusively from the left breast for at least 6 weeks.  When I finally had the abscess removed, I asked the surgeon what was the chances of being able to get the milk back from the right breast. Even she (and she is as breastfeeding friendly as they come) said that although I could start offering the right breast right away, I should prepare myself that the right breast might just be done.

But it wasn't.  In two weeks, everything was back to normal, and both sides continued to breastfeed until self-weaning at age of 3 years old..

So maybe, just maybe, you can.