Baby only nurses one side per feeding

Polly - posted on 01/28/2009

I'm lopsided (and embarrassingly proud LOL)...My son suddenly rejected one side around the 9 month mark, I tried and kept failing at attempts to get him to latch without him arching his back and protesting...I pumped for a bit, but it was maddening, so I shut that one side off completely...nursing him on the other side til he was 27 months! I was unnerved at first, but it all worked out in the end ;)

Emily - posted on 01/28/2009

My kids have only accepted one breast per feeding also, and they only nurse for 5-10 minutes. I have nasty over-supply issues and over-active let-down. The best way to remedy this is just to stick with one side for 3-4 hours at a time (so every feeding between noon and 4pm was on the left side, etc) then switch to the other side for 3-4 hours. This would probably mean you're giving her the "empty" one every other feeding or so, but that feeding would be mostly hind-milk which is great for growth. If you continue to feed only from the super full side, she may be filling up on fore-milk and not getting all the hind milk she needs (you can tell if she's getting too much fore-milk because her poop will be green). You can pump the other side just enough to relieve engorgement, but you don't want to signal your body to continue to produce that much milk.

It took me about 4 months to regulate my supply enough that I wasn't constantly leaking between feedings and for the engorgement so subside.

Sara - posted on 01/28/2009

My 1st did this, and imagine my surprise when my 2nd didn't! If your breasts get too engorged to be comfortable, manually express just a little, after a warm compress or hot shower if possible, to make yourself more comfortable. Remember, after 3-7 days your body will adjust to your baby's demands and needs!

Andrea - posted on 01/28/2009

My son is 5 months and has only ever eaten from 1 side.  He nurses as long on one side as some babies do on both sides.  He has slept through the night since he was 2 1/2 months old.  My body adjusted and it is only in the morning after his feeding that you can notice that the side he has not eaten from is fuller.  Once he has his second feeding it is fine.

Jess - posted on 01/23/2009

Based on all the comments, it looks like the majority have my problem at least for a little while. My lactation consultant with my oldest said that if I didn't do both sides my baby wasn't getting enough milk. She was really mean.

The fact that one breast is fine explains a problem I had with my son. That explains why my son threw up a lot. When I limited him to one breast he quit throwng up after every feed, but he was 7 months or so by that time. I had just assumed before that it was something in my milk, so I limited all kinds of foods from my diet. And it turns out I was just feeding him too much.

My littlest is almost 2 months old. I have a pump but I hate pumping. The hormone surge makes me sick and pissy. So I avoid it when I can and its just as well since she won't take a bottle anyway. I sure wish she would so I could get a break or go out once.

So it looks like I'm stuck with the gigantic painful boob at least until it calms down. I guess I just make too much milk. and I'm pretty sure that I have an over-active let-down reflex. I don't know what to do about that. I guess it just means that I need heavy duty breast pads since I leak like a river. She's definately getting plenty. She's 12 pounds and wearing 3-6 month clothes.  Thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions.

Jennifer - posted on 01/23/2009

My first did that too...Your supply will adjust. But as some of the other moms have said below...maybe pumping off a little so your breast is not so rock hard and overflowing may help. Tricking her by using the football hold and then switching breasts worked for me as it does for one of the other moms below. If you keep pumping a lot though your supply will stay high so just keep the lumps out of your breast by massaging, showering, and light pumping and as she adjusts to nursing so will your supply! Good Luck!

Jess - posted on 01/23/2009

Based on all the comments, it looks like the majority have my problem at least for a little while. My lactation consultant with my oldest said that if I didn't do both sides my baby wasn't getting enough milk. She was really mean.

The fact that one breast is fine explains a problem I had with my son. That explains why my son threw up a lot. When I limited him to one breast he quit throwng up after every feed, but he was 7 months or so by that time. I had just assumed before that it was something in my milk, so I limited all kinds of foods from my diet. And it turns out I was just feeding him too much.

My littlest is almost 2 months old. I have a pump but I hate pumping. The hormone surge makes me sick and pissy. So I avoid it when I can and its just as well since she won't take a bottle anyway. I sure wish she would so I could get a break or go out once.

So it looks like I'm stuck with the gigantic painful boob at least until it calms down. I guess I just make too much milk. and I'm pretty sure that I have an over-active let-down reflex. I don't know what to do about that. I guess it just means that I need heavy duty breast pads since I leak like a river. She's definately getting plenty. She's 12 pounds and wearing 3-6 month clothes.  Thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions.

Sharon - posted on 01/22/2009

My son also only nurses one side per feeding and he's now 8 weeks old. It is painful for the other breast that is completely full so I can empathasize. I just recently had a clogged milk duct and I'm sure it has to do with me going so far between feedings and being so full. I don't want to pump because that'll just keep my supply the way it is but I think I'll just pump 1-2oz to make the full breast feel better.

Carissa - posted on 01/22/2009

My first was like that and ended up only nursing on one side from 4 months until 17 months!!  And he was a big baby!!! It is all about supply and demand so whatever he/she takes is the milk needed for the baby and will adjust to the baby's needs soon.

Rebecca - posted on 01/22/2009

When my son does this, I nurse while lying down. That seems to help.

Kelli - posted on 01/22/2009

My little one does the same thing.  If I give her the other side she gets to full and spits up everywhere.  I think that your one breast is producing all the milk she needs.  As long as she is not crying after or still looks hungry she should be fine.

Judy - posted on 01/22/2009

My son is 5 months now and is still only drinking from one at most feeds but manages to sleep through the night. I guess he must be getting enough. At first it was hard because one breast would get really engorged but they've settled down now and produces according to his need. Yours should settle down soon too. Good luck!

Barbara-Anne - posted on 01/22/2009

My 9.5 month old is the same way....he has been for a while.  It's only when he's starving that he finishes both.  It's sooooo annoying because one is leaking all over and he's not interested.  I liked the suggestion of scooting him over without changing position....I'm going to try that!

Jessica - posted on 01/22/2009

im the mother of a 14wk old son and i also work in paediatrics with lactation consultants. its completly normal to only feed one breast a feed. once your milk comes in that is the best way to feed as you completly empty the one boob which gets the watery milk out first then the fatty milk last which makes the baby fill full and assists with digestion. your breast should get used to only feeding 1 boob at a time. they will learn when to refill. if u child is choking on the milk its because it comes out too fast. if you lean back like in bed or a recliner gravity will be on your side and slow the milk comming out. so just offer 1 boob a feed and swap for the other side next feed. it is painful to begin with but if you express the boob you didnt feed from then it wont learn to refil later. hopefully this helps you. this is what i do. good luck!!

Stacy - posted on 01/21/2009

My son was the same way. For about a month, he decided that he only wanted one side. So I would feed him on the left breast, then when he was done, scoot him over to the right breast without really changing his postion. He ate, I was happy and NOT sore! I don't know if it was just the postioning he was in, he liked being comfy I guess. But he out grew it, so don't fret. Sometimes we just have to be creative! Good luck!

Lea - posted on 01/21/2009

With most of mine I've only nursed one-sided...your body should adjust. It make take a few days. I would not recommend pumping consistently unless you want to store milk for a later date. That will continue the problem you have now of overly active mammary glands....good for you.

Or, you could put an add in the paper or craigslist for breastmilk??? You go, supermom!

User - posted on 01/21/2009

My little squirt does that too. I just trick her by cross cradling on the first side, and when she lets off for air, sneaking her onto the other side with the football position so she thinks she's on the same boob. I've found that this works with the little turkey.. Hope that helps.

Jessica - posted on 01/21/2009

My son has never nursed on both sides at any feeding, and we are almost to 1 year. Some kids just do that. It is uncomfortable at first, but your supply often will even out over time. If you miss a feeding (she gets a bottle or whatever), it does get painful at times, but you can always pump and build up that freezer stash. :)

Anita - posted on 01/21/2009

Hi Jess. I have my second child. I breast feed my first for 18 months and my second have 3 months. I started giving him both breasts per feeding. But as I read tried I am giving only one breast per feeding. the front milk is full of water and the back milk is full of vitamins. So that's the way it should be. My little one is sleeping through night, but I have to wake up, because of my milk. But it is getting better. Before I had to pump every 3 hours. As I fed her I pumped out from the other breast. It is great to have frozen milk. When I am tired my husband feeds her.

Teresa - posted on 01/21/2009

Sounds like you're producing more than your baby needs. If you want to store milk, I would pump the other side after your baby is done nursing, and then freeze that milk. She'll catch up to the amount of milk you're producing, and then this will all be in the past *hopefully!*!!!

Emily - posted on 01/21/2009

Could you pump a little off the full breast just to make yourself more comfortable before the next feeding?