Anyone only breastfed on one breast only?

[crazyhead]

Hello there - I'm 33 weeks pg and preparing myself now for baby arrival. I'd like to breastfeed, but if I can, will be able to do so on one breast only due to having the ducts removed on the other side (illness a few years ago, shouldn't be an issue for remaining breast).

Anyone had experience of one-sided feeding? I imagine I'll be very wonky ;). I'm going to see the BF specialist at my hospital in a fortnight and she seems to think I could be fine, but on-the-ground experiences would be fabulous.

I feel at the moment, that if I can't breastfeed, I can't, but that in my case as much sensible preparation the better.

[Catslikehats]

Not quite the same position but I feed almost totally from one side, for no other reason than dd has never been entirely comfortable feeding on the left side. It worked fine - DD was EBF for 6mths and we're now into our second month of solids with BF going strong.

I do notice a little lopsidedness but barely noticeable whn dressed, although was a little more so in th early days.

Good luck

[thisisyesterday]

well... people feed twins. (and more)

there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to feed from one side only. I guess it may mean more frequent feeding in the early days, but your body will build up a good milk supply and it shouldn't be a problem at all

[MumblesUk]

Hello. Not quite the same, but I fed DS until he was two and over the last 6 months of that he just fed from the right side as he was never particularly fond of the other one. Was a bit worried what might effect it would have on the left boob (soreness etc) but nothing happened! Good luck x

[confusedmum3]

I have done it with my third child. I have Poland Syndrome which means one of my breasts only has a small number of milk ducts. I mixed fed DS1 from the normal side for about 4 months then FF. Exclusively BF DS2 for 3 weeks then mixed fed for 9 weeks. DS3 is now 9 months and still going strong. I think it's maybe a bit harder work in the first few weeks, as Loopsymummy said. What really helped with DS3 was really being happy to just feed even if it was only 40 min since last feed to build up supply in the early days. DS3 has had a formula feed at bedtime since about 14 weeks, but my choice rather than necessity. Oh, and I was able to express from my smaller side to give a v occasional small top up late at night when DS3 just wouldn't settle.
Sorry, v waffly, but wanted to say it is possible, it helped me to keep remembering that BF is supply and demand and that as long as I kept responding to demand the supply would come. Think baby temperemant might have something to do with it too though? DS2 was much harder work and I suspect that I might have struggled to BF him anyway, particularly as DS1 was only 19 months at the time. DS3 is really chilled and has been a good efficient feeder right from the beginning.

[crazyhead]

Thank you all, that is massively helpful. Because this is my first baby, it is quite hard to know where to strike the balance between determination and being kind on myself if you know what I mean. But then again, that must also be hard if you are feeding on two breasts - there seems to be a lot that can go wrong!

It is good to hear that it has at least been possible for people in similar scenarios - I think it is really important to know that....

[Serendipity11]

Yep, it's possible. My LO would always prefer my right side as my left nipple was always a bit inverted. It can be successfully done.

[JBrd]

My DS has always favoured the left breast, and in the end refused to feed from the right on entirely. I spoke to a number of different breastfeeding councillors and lactation consultants, and it is perfectly possible to just feed from one side. I continued to feed DS from the left only, and had no problems at all.