[happy_momma]

My daughter has always nursed better on the left side but I never seemed to have trouble making milk (over supply) Now I noticed that my right side seems to have dried up over night!! Why would this be? If there is nothing coming out how can I stimulate more. Will hand expressing stimulate my supply? My hormones seem wacked lately..could that be it?? Im almost in tears. She is 4 mos and has never had a bottle nor do I want her to. What if she wont even take one??

 

[GoGoGirl]

(I'm by no means an expert, I've only been breastfeeding for a month!)

But my supply went WAY down on my left side after I got mastitis in that breast a few weeks ago. I was only getting out a few drops when I tried hand expressing. Like, I was THRILLED to get out 20 drops. I just kept offering that breast to my DD first, and kept up with the hand expressing and pumping (at least 4 times a day). Now, two weeks later, my supply on that side is still lower than the other side, but I'm getting squirts and streams out when I hand express. So I guess that side is catching back up!

I hear that breastfeeding, hand expressing, and pumping all help get supply back up. Good luck, mama!

 

[jess152]

My DS has always had his 'favourite' side. Enough that I've been a bit lopsided for the last two years! I think it's pretty common for kids to favour one side over the other, so not to worry. My other side is noticeably smaller but still produces milk.

It may seem that one side is empty, but there is most likely still milk being produced. A baby stimulating your letdown is far more effective than you doing it manually, so don't feel like it's dried up. It would be a good idea to start her on that side when she's in a good mood (not starving!) and will amicably nurse, even though it's not her favourite side. Starting her off there should jumpstart production in that breast.

Good luck!

 

[radosti]

Both my boys always preferred the left side. Thus, my right side had always produced 1/2 of the amt my left did. No big deal. As long as each got enough from the left, I didn't worry too much. DS2 is 10 months old and my left still makes twice as much. Pumping at work makes it quite evident.