Can you just stop using one of your breasts and carry on with the other?

[InaMalina]

I ask as I've had repeated blocked ducts with one of them, and it seems to be starting up again...don't want to go the whole antibiotics route yet again, so what if I just cease to use this particular bosom and keep feeding with the other one?

I would feed through the problem iyswim but did that last time and only just finished the a/b's for that...they just seem to put the infection at bay and then it comes back again

Any thoughts appreciated.

[bethoo]

i only fed from one boob as i had a preference to it, felt more comfortable. obviously i had one boob bigger than the other for a while until i stopped feeding altogether!
i think it depends on how often you are feeding? i was only feeding a few times a day when he got to a year so there wa plenty of time between feeds to refill as such! .
bumping for you.

only feeding from one will ensure that the one you do nto use will dry up.

[InaMalina]

Thanks Starlight - I tried the massaging last time - all night when it was coming on - but it didn't seem to help

It seems to be a very persistent blockage. Will try warm flannels anyway, have nought to lose!

Will the milk sort of get 'diverted' to the other one? I am going to be lopsided for a bit aren;t I!

[InaMalina]

Thanks Bethoo too. It's always been my 'weaker' one though I've tried to alternate - it never seems so full or willing as the other.

I'm still feeding several times a day and a lot at night

teething I think

He's 14mo.

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Maybe your lo's latch isn't so good/efficient on the affected boob? If it's not being drained properly you are more likely to get a blocked duct.

[InaMalina]

No he seems fine - it's been weaker since I began feeding my elder child 6 years ago.

Just seems to be that way for some reason! Well I suppose it could be the latch but it's been the same with both children iyswim.

[bethoo]

also perhaps your lo is nto feeding as much as you think?
my bm virtually dried up when ds was 14 months (i had not realised and was bf anyway!!) as i think it was jsut a comfort thing for him to latch on. perhaps that is why you are having problems with milk flow too.

[InaMalina]

Yes, I hadn't thought of that - there are times when I stick him on that side and he just doesn't want it for long, I can't feel much tbh...I think that might be it.
The other one is still getting that 'schlock, schlock' sound when he drinks!!

[Ceolas]

I know someone who fed for 3 years from one breast. It can be done

[PInkyminkyohnooo]

I gave up on my left with DDD at around 5 months. She just wasn't that interested in it.

[PInkyminkyohnooo]

that's DD!

[Fanlight]