Lost supply in one side

[Killerqueen2244]

Last Monday upon waking my left side was quite swollen and a bit red so assuming this was the start of mastitis I fed baby from it. She drained it, it returned to normal and I thought nothing of it. Over the past week she was fussy on that side so I'd only leave her on there for a few mins before swapping sides, again thought nothing of it as she's always favoured the right side.

Tonight I popped her on and she got so worked up that I swapped to the good side, she fed and fell asleep. I then used my electric pump for 30 mins and just one drop came out and here I am again at 4am using the pump and still nothing's coming out.

We're 16 weeks in and have had a fairly smooth breast feeding journey so I guess I've been a bit blasé with not being strict on alternating boobs with each feed, especially at night as I thought my supply had been well established. Baby is sleeping longer with only one wake up so recently I've only only been feeding from one side during the night but making sure I alternate during the day. Up until last Monday that's worked for us.

So I guess my question is do I keep pumping the left side regularly to try and get something out or have I left it too long to get it going again? I don't want to give up yet!!

[kippersandcurtains]

I think it's quite common for b/feeding mums to have one 'turbo' boob and one less so. Definitely try to recover supply but feeding with it is better than expressing as baby more efficient than pump. Try to encourage supply with fenugreek perhaps?

[Killerqueen2244]

Morning kippers, I used the pump just so I didn't upset her with frustration and hoping the 'sucking' action might kick start some milk making while she's sleeping!! I'll get some fenugreek later today and see if that helps boost my lazy boob! Thanks for your advice 🙂

[kippersandcurtains]

You're a dedicated mama! Morning .
I'd try nursing on the lazy side first at every feed. Baby might get a bit frustrated but you can move her once she has given it her best shot, and this string sucking ought to help your supply return.
My left boob has been the rubbish one every time and in fact I have wonky sized boobs as a result. I think it's pretty common.
Hope you manage to sort it!

[Littlefoxy]

I had a better side & found hand expressing before using pump got my supply going. I still have one side that is easier to pump than the other for some reason. Both fine for feeding now.

[Killerqueen2244]

Thanks for your input kippers and foxy, this is the first major issue I've had with feeding so it's come as a bit of a shock that this far into our feeding routine I've got a problem! Housework is on hold now so I can spend the rest of the day feeding/pumping...it's a fair compromise!!!

[hiimmumma]

I have a similar issue.
The right side my LO will feed off for ages with no problem and always falls asleep on. But when I try express nothing comes out!
The left side is hard to get LO to feed from at all and when he does it's only 10mins a time max. But I can express about 150ml in 5-10 mins no problem.
So I think the left side comes out much faster and he dosent like it. Or he gets fuller from it much quicker/dosent have to work as hard to get it out and so dosent fall asleep.
Anyway, I used to stress about it and worry I would lose supply in the left side, but he is almost 6months and I don't worry too much now. I always offer it but if he is fussing I just give him the right side as I know he will take it!
Occasionally I have to express the left if he hasn't had anything from in a while or it gets engorged.

[Chocolatedreamsandtea]

Yes do try feeding on that side first every feed and drink loads of water - one glass for every feed.

[firsttimemum15]

This happened to someone I know no milk from one side. See yoyr lactation consultant or feeding specialist. In the case I know of it wqs down to ovulation and is rare but it happened

[Killerqueen2244]

Thank you all again for your responses, I spent yesterday putting your advice into action and today it seems to be having an affect. Slowly but surely I am able to pump more milk and while she's still fussing on the left side I'm not stressing out about it as much as I know the milks coming back! Maybe it was ovulation, maybe I'm more dehydrated than I thought, maybe I had been too lazy with making sure the left side was being used more often. Either way I'm grateful for your suggestions, you've helped me think more logically about the situation!!!