Beat mastitis...beat thrush....now over AND under supply??

[largirl]

I have the post below about hating BFing.  At the advice of posters, I got treated for thrush and am having LO evaluated for posterior tongue tie.  However, because of all of our lovely (ha) issues, I am now having an unbalanced supply issue.  My left side is full and engorged for every feeding, while my right side isn't producing nearly as much.  How do I nurse/pump to balance them out?  Right now it's a lose-lose situation because I always have to nurse off the left to get it empty so I don't get blocked ducts or mastitis again, which obviously encourages production. I always try to nurse and/or pump off the right side to bring up production, but I usually only get anything the first pumping session of the day - the rest of the day it's just spurts.  When she nurses off that side she gets frustrated and starts crying at the breast so I switch her to the left side...which again is just encouraging overproduction on that side and not helping the right catch up.  How do I fix this?

[bigwater]

Oh my dear momma,

I feel your pain.  My daughter is 13 months now and still nursing.  I had unbearable pain during the first 8 weeks and was told by multiple caregivers and consultants that it was the baby's latch.  I always felt like it was my fault for not knowing how to latch (despite trying to learn for weeks) and had the same experience you did- everything was great when I had help there to guide me.  Well, baby's latch did widen/ deepen around 8-10 weeks as I was told it would b/c she grew bigger.  And my pain lessened... but did not go away.  Finally months later, I was diagnosed with vasospasm of the nipples.  

Despite the terrible pain, constant tears and hardship, I wasn't willing to give up!  I never supplemented with formula (this can negatively affect your success!)  And only had minimal success with pumping (I did not need to pump since I was not returning to work, but tried to use it to help with the pain.  I also had pump shields that were TOO SMALL and that did more damage- so look out for that if you are large breasted)

Not all lactation consultants (LC) are created equal, so ask around and find a really good one who is always willing to take your call.  I had to see a few different LCs b/c I wasn't getting the help I desperately needed.

Forums like these get you through the night but remember that human contact with a sympathetic woman will really help you reach your BF goals.  (ask local midwife, momma friends or La Leche for recommendations for a new LC)

My LC asked me if I have cold hands and feet?  Yes.  She said I could have Raynaud's Syndrome (which causes this) and affects the nipples as well since they are extremities.  Just a thought for you, if your pain continue past the first month or so.  This condition seems overlooked and it is quite painful, especially in cold weather or cold A/C.  When baby comes off the breast, my nipples turn white and shrivels (hardens like you are cold) then turns purplish pink.  The pain could be on latch, during feeding and after she unlatches.  I went on Rx meds for this and the pain went away within a day. 

One other thing I wished I had done sooner, try nipple guards to get you through a day or two... they are not recommended long term as they can affect supply.  But they protect that sensitive skin for a little while.  Also, my nipples were slightly flat so that could have added to pain.  I think there is another Medela product that can help get those nipples poking out more.

As for the oversupply side, I have dealt with that too (but on both sides)  Again, an LC would best advise you, but what I was told to try was "block feeding".  Feed on Right side two times, then Left side two times.  So for ex: baby nurses at 8am -Right side only, 10am -Right side only, 12noon -Left side only, 2pm Left side only... etc.   But not sure what this does for your undersupply side.  Get another consult, it is worth it!  

The good news is, as you recover from the birth your hormone surge will also begin to decrease!  I didn't realize how unusually exhausted and emotional I was for the first 2-3 months and that it would get much better in time.  

Good luck, my friend.  We are made to do this!  You have just hit a few speed bumps and will be sailing smoothly before you know it.

[AutumnW]

You're doing great offering your right breast.  Keep offering the right breast first and then when she gets frustrated switch her to the left and pump the right so that you signal to your breast to make more.  Try not to pump your left breast and if you have to just pump enough to be comfortable but not empty it.  Instead of pumping you could try cold cabbage leaves inside your bra on that side which will sooth as well as draw out excess milk.  Just switch them out as they get warm and wilty.  You could also try getting in a warm shower and massaging your left breast and hand expressing just enough to be comfortable. 

The key is to stimulate the right breast as much as possible by offering it first and then possibly even pumping while baby sleeps, while stimulating your left breast less so that it is not constantly told to make more and more.  Within a couple of days you should see them start to even out and then you can move on to block feeding or regular rotational feeding.

[foreverinbluejeans]

It's obvious how much breastfeeding your baby means to you to keep doing it when you hate it.

Relax. Forget pumps. Pumps can cause infections and make people hate breastfeeding. I breastfed my babies a total of 10 years and would have never done it if I had to pumped. 

It's normal for one side to make more than the other. It doesn't have to be fixed. It may not be able to be fixed. It doesn't matter. Everything doesn't have to be fixed. Everything doesn't have to be perfect.

Breastfeed frequently. If you have too much milk then use one breast a feeding. If you have not enough milk then use both, nurse more frequently, and make sure you don't let the baby sleep for more than 3-4 hours.