Uneven milk supply

[MummyWeatherwax]

My little girl is eight weeks old now, and I thought we had breast feeding more or less established. She is gaining weight well, latching well, and I've been enjoying it. I've been expressing if I get too engorged overnight.

However, over the last week or so, I've noticed that I'm getting very little milk from my right side when expressing, and it's not getting engorged. Also, DD generally needs to switch sides to fill up if I start feeding her on the right, but not if I start on the left.

I've been putting her to the right first for about four days now, but it doesn't seem to be responding by making more milk, and today I've been getting occasional stabbing pains on that side.

I just don't know what's happened or what to do, as I don't want to lose my supply.

Does any one have any experience of this, or advice for us?

[MummyWeatherwax]

Please anyone?

[happy2bhomely]

Hi. I had this. My right side never produced as much and ended up 2 cup sizes smaller! I did find that it improved slightly if I fed right, right, left- it never fully caught up. My supply never completely stopped and I managed to continue feeding for 16 months mainly from my left breast. My breasts are now back to roughly equal sizes!

My only advice would be feed her starting on the right, and get her to thoroughly drain that side before switching, and allow longer than 4 days for it to catch up.

Are you right handed? I am and I found it easier and more comfortable to feed from my left side, and maybe the baby just feels more comfy and feeds more effectively and there is not much you can do about it!

Sorry I don't have anything more useful!

[MummyWeatherwax]

Thanks for your reply - you don't know how reassuring it is to hear that it's not the beginning of the end!

I do naturally favour the left, and I'm right handed so that's probably why.

I'll keep going with the right first, and give it some time

[Twobuttonsaway]

I have exactly the same issue with my 8 week old DS only left one is the issue . Can't offer solutions but you are not alone.

[MummyWeatherwax]

Thanks ladies - it seems like this isn't abnormal at all then.

I don't mind any size difference, I was just concerned about making enough milk. We feed on demand, it's dd who likes 2/3 hours between feeds, but I've been force feeding her today