Help!! - DD suddenly doesn't like left breast!

[Mollydolly]

DD2 is now 5 weeks old and bf has been going really well up to now, feeding on demand and she has gained over 2 lb since birth. Suddenly yesterday she has begun refusing/fussing but only on one breast. She opens her mouth to latch but doesnt seem to be able to get a seal and when she does it doesn't feel like a vacuum is being created and she pulls off in seconds. I know there is milk there as she has it on her chin even after a few seconds. Whats going on?? is this the beginning of the end for breastfeeding? I'd appreciate any advice.

[mememum]

Hi MollyDolly I had this with my DD2 when she was about 8 weeks. I tried and tried again. After 2 days she took it as if nothing had happened. With the milk filling up in my breasts I expressed it out when I got too uncomfortable. My DH also tried giving her the milk I expressed from the bottle and she did take some, not alot but a little.
Have you been using any creams etc for nipple soreness which might interfere with taste of nipple.
My health visitor also mentioned if you are comfortable with doing this taste your own milk and make sure it doesn't taste different to the other breast.
It doesn't mean end of breast feeding - my DD2 is nearly 5 months and a happy breastfeeder!

[oops]

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[Ruthiebaby]

My ds always hated the right side. He could never latch on properly and I was in agony - reverted to expressing for a few days at a time then trying him on it again.

In the end though it all got better. The pain went and he latches on with the greatest of ease. He's nearly 6 mths and still bf'ing. I think that everything we went through was totally worth it.

Persevere if you can. Maybe try expressing if you have to then go back to the left and try again.

[Mummymonster]

I'm with Ruthiebaby here.

We (me and DS) were never really comfy bfing on the right side, we did it but we found the left much better. On the really tricky days I would express from the right, rather than try and bf from it. However, I was blessed by a left side that could feed the world. The really difficult days didn't last too long, we just persevered (and were grateful for the prolific left).

In the end it all went well (DS bfed for 13 mths)

Best of luck with it all

[oops]

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[chipmonkey]

Agree with football hold. Fool baby into thinking you're on the "favourite" breast by holding her in the same position!

[Mollydolly]

Thanks for all the advice ladies, was begining to think I would have to give up bfing. Will try rugby hold,ruthiebaby, but my nipple is becoming quite sore now as the latch is bad, so may express for a while. Monstermummy, my right breast seems to be plentiful so thankfully she won't go hungry!! Will keep checking in for more advice/updates.

[eldestgirl]

Molly Dolly,
I had exactly the same problem. It takes a while but the rugby hold does work on the unpopular breast. It's also much easier if you put a pillow on your lap so they can rest their head comfortably, and their legs are cushioned to the side.
hth

[honeybunny]

All 3 of mine took a dislke of my left boob at varying points. Somewhere I read that babies can get stiff necks from all kinds of things as they struggle to learn to move and this can affect the latch on because they feel so uncomfortable. I used to try feeding lying on my side so my dds head was supported by the bed as I found the "rugby ball" style impossible. In between feeds try getting your baby to turn her head to the left and right so that she eases those aching neck muscles. A baby massage could help too!

[ABow]

Hi MollyDolly. My dd (now 9 weeks) has never liked my left breast. At first she wouldn't latch then later she would latch but not suck. Tried different positions, nipple shields, etc I perservered for 7 weeks and then gave up. Although I am a bit lopsided my right breast produces enough milk for dd. I figured that mothers with twins produce enough milk from one breast for one baby. And also decided that just because baby doesn't feed from one side I'm not a failure so I refuse to carry on getting stressed about it.

[shhhh]

mollydolly, my dd is now 10 weeks and was the same about 2 weeks ago..in fact I thought that it was the end of bf like you...Anyway I tried to fool dd by holding her like a rugby ball when feeding off my left breast so she thought she was feeding off my right breast LOL...it worked for a litle while, I then gave in and let her feed off my right breast for as long as she wanted..This happened for about a week and then she started to feed ok off both ! Think maybe she was being a little bit fussy. It may be worth perservering while she is like this, try all you can to "fool" baby, express once the feed is over to keep milk coming in on your left breast. HTH.

[Mollydolly]

So, I.ve managed to get her to feed from the left breast, a bit reluctntly and not for very long, but since yesterday she seems to have developed a cold (very snuffley and struggling to breathe through nose when feeeding) which is complicating the situation. Her last two dirty nappies were ver green/mucousy too. Am now paranoid that she isn't getting enough to eat as I remember hearing that green poos are a sign of underfeeding. Also, is a little sleepy and not feeding as often as normal. Help! am getting quite worried.

[Mummymonster]

Mollydolly - don't fret and don't wind yourself up. You'll get into an awful cycle of 'everything I do is wrong' and you don't want that.

Keep persevering with the feeds. Your baby my have a reduced appetite due to the cold and a cold can cause slimy green nappies too. If your worried speak to your G.P./midwife/HV asap.

If your concerned re the Bfing see if there is a support group in your area where there are peer supporters, again the G.P/HV should know.

At the end of the day, relax, you're doing your best. Don't make yourself uncomfortable, physically or emotionally. You can do it

Big Hugs