favorite boob

[stellabluz]

So he has got a favorite as did my last daughter...coincidentally or not it's opposite my typing, writing, dominant hand so I can accomplish some tasks here and there while nursing. with my daughter this led to major shrinkage and lower supply on that other side.

I am already noticing a slight size difference although I always start him on the non-favorite side. there is still good let down, but it never feels quite as full. any ideas on how to up that side's supply or is this just going to be my imbalance for good? Should I try pumping that side? I don't want it to get supply issues...he gets very frustrated with it when it seems low...

[motherhendoula]

My LO has had a favorite side since he was about 4 months old.   I really dont know what the deal is with 'fav sides' but i do know that many babies seem to have them - i just wanted to tell you youre not alone - i dont think pumping is the way to go.  and maybe let him fall asleep on the 'icky' side - instead of starting there....let him really drain it and stay on for a while, hopefully that will encourage production. 

My sons 'icky side is my left side - (im right handed)  and that breast has always been at least a size smaller anyway.

[lovelylisa]

Yes, it's my left side! I wonder if its because we have had more dificulty getting a good latch there. Now its SO much smaller than the right. Crazy.

[greenmama66]

I had this issue with my third child- it started when he was around 5 months though and he would ONLY nurse on one side so I had to trick him (using bizarre positions, changing nipples as he slept/nursed etc;) and it drove me crazy and led to a plugged duct. I have no idea why he favored one side. My next children after him did not favor one side over the other and this new baby doesn't either. Odd how it can happen with one and not others.

[stellabluz]

greenmama you have awesome things to offer here~ did that side "dry" up after the plugged duct? Or what did you do in the long run with that baby? My right (the smaller, less milky one) is becoming smaller and less milky. The left is a great gigantic chock full boob that floods him every time and the other is starting to slow with good let downs. Did you ever pump it to get the supply back. I am just worried this is happening so soon where as with my last I think it happened out of me not putting her to it enough. any thoughts?

[greenmama66]

Originally Posted by stellabluz 

greenmama you have awesome things to offer here~ did that side "dry" up after the plugged duct? Or what did you do in the long run with that baby? My right (the smaller, less milky one) is becoming smaller and less milky. The left is a great gigantic chock full boob that floods him every time and the other is starting to slow with good let downs. Did you ever pump it to get the supply back. I am just worried this is happening so soon where as with my last I think it happened out of me not putting her to it enough. any thoughts?

I never pumped- I just tricked him into switching as soon as he was asleep (sleep nursing) sometimes he would notice so I did this- I nursed him on favorite side and then didn't move him at all but switched the other breast- sometimes this would put me in funny positions- upside down, over his head etc; but it worked- he weaned when he was almost 4 years old during a pregnancy.