One boob massively more engorged (producing?) than the other...

[YouMaySayImADreamer]

My 3 month old ds has just altered his nightfeeds and is now going way longer between feeds (feeding at 8pm and then not until 4am, or last night 7.30pm and not until 5.45am...wohoo!). This is the first time ive properly been able to see my boobs engorged as the max he goes during the day is 4 hours (he is ebf). I couldnt help but notice that my right boob was massively more engorged than the left. Whilst the left was a tiny bit hard in places but mainly still quite soft, the right was like a rock to the point of very painful. Does this mean that my left is probably underproducing milk? I am concerned about this, and about ending up with lopsided breasts as i have already noticed from looking when theyre not full, that there is a more noticable size difference than before i was pregnant.

When i first started bf, ds much preferred and had a much better latch on the right side, but with practice the left side latch improved. Also when i pump i have always noticed that i express more easily from the right. I am wondering whether this is something beyond my control or whether i might have caused it, because due to him latching on easier to the right in the beginning, i have a habit of always starting on the right. I didnt think this mattered since he always takes both breasts, but would i improve my supply on the left if i always started there and kept him suckling as long as possible after hed "emptied" it before moving onto he right? Or would this make no difference?

Thanks

[Indith]

It is pretty normal to have some differences. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have poor supply on one side. From what you have said he sounds perfectly happy feeding on either side and is settled between feeds so your supply sounds fine. Keep feeding as you are :) If you start always starting on the left etc then you will risk having a very engorged right breast and causing more discomfort for yourself.

[50shadesofbrown]

I had a massive difference as well. Used to express to make extra supply to go in freezer, I'd get around 10oz from one side & 4 from the other, even first thing on a morning when DD had not woken for a night feed. I am slightly lopsided, but DH says it's barely visible even naked. With my clothes on, even I can't see a difference & I am very critical of my appearance.

Try not to worry about it too much. The main thing is whether your DS is getting enough milk. If you still have any left on either side when he's finished, he's almost certainly getting enough. But if you do want to alter your supply - feed him on the small side first to completely empty it, or use a pump. This will gradually increase the capacity. The larger side will have less supply over time if you don't consistently empty it. Having said that, what Indith said about engorgement is worth bearing in mind, just keep an eye on it & make sure you don't get any blockages, you can empty it occasionally & the supply will still diminish if you are careful not to empty it too often.

[PoppyWearer]

I had a massive difference between the supply on left and right, and ended up feeding DC1 only from the right as she got older, and not at all with DC2, although it was also due to nipple paina dn other reasons.

Anyway, they and I survived, try not to worry too much.

[PoppyWearer]

P.S. I am not lopsided now. One side is a bit wrinklier, but I think it's something only I notice, DH said he didn't notice.

[YouMaySayImADreamer]

Thank you everyone. Glad to hear im not the only one and that i shouldnt end up too lopsided because of it!