Any one- boobed nursers here?

kerrbear79

I know I know it sounds funny but how else do you put it? I am very very strongly considering letting my left boob dry up. My son is 5 months old (as of today). Since the beginning I have had a huge problem with the left boob clogging and have had mastitis in it once. It has never produced as much as the right one. For example if I get 4 oz from the right I might get 1 or 2 from the left. It was like this with my first child too. At first I was blaming my supply issues on losing too much weight or not eating enough but I finally realized it's because that one boob just isn't a good producer. Maybe too much scar tissue in it from my first baby & having several bouts of mastisis. I have been taking a supplement called Soy Lecithin recommended by the lactation consultant here to help with recurring clogs, but it obviously isn't helping much. I've been taking it for probably 3 months now.

So is there anyone here who just breastfeeds from one boob? I'd love to hear how it is working for you. I want to be able to give my son breastmilk as long as possible. Since i've made it this far I will not stop at all until 6 months at the minimum. In order for me to want to continue I just might have to use the one side because the clogs are just too painful. I was in so much pain last night that i couldn't sleep. It was horrible agony. I just don't know how it will affect the supply of my good boob. Any thoughts?

J3nnyV

I think sounds super interesting to consider and I would be keen to hear if this has worked successfully for anyone.

This might sound silly, but would the nursing boob be really noticeably bigger?

zephtalah

Not exactly only one-boobed, but one per baby? I am nursing twins so each one gets one. It is definitely possible to fully nurse a baby from only one side. You would look lopsided though. When I nurse one and not the other there is a noticable difference. A lot of people have one side that produces better than the other. Also some babies just nurse better in certain positions. Maybe try turning the baby to nurse in the same position as he does on the good side. Like facing toward your side instead of across your body. Also maybe switch bras. Also, try massaging your breast while nursing to help get all the milk out of that side. It may look a little silly, but it can help with areas that tend to clog. Best wishes on your nursing. If I can be of any help please feel free to message me. I have nursed all 7 of my babies including my 15 month old twins who are still going strong.

kerrbear79

Thanks for your input zephtalah. Congrats on your success with breastfeeding, that's very impressive! I have tried everything possible for months now: massaging, warm compress, lecithin, etc. I spoke with the lactation consultant again today about this. She did confirm that if I let the one dry up it should not affect the supply of the other so it would be fine to do. The lopsidedness would be amusing. She also gave me a few more tips: don't sleep on that side & make sure when I pump that i'm not holding the flanges too tight against breast. I use a hands free bra at work so I will loosen that. Also she said overuse of that arm could cause it which I happen to be lefthanded and it's the left boob. So I will try those things now & not give up on lefty just yet. If I do eventually let that side dry up I will post an update for anyone else curious or having same issues.