8 week old fussing on one side, breast feels empty

[FlopemOut]

My 8 week old DD is fussing so much on one side, the right, that I'm struggling to feed her on this side as she is constantly complaining and pulling off. This boob seems empty too in comparison to the left - is this possible and could this be why she's complaining? Any suggestions on what I can do to fix this would be welcome as I can't nurse constantly on the left!

[luciemule]

It could be that your position on that right side is slightly different than the left and maybe your DD isn't attaching as effectively on that side and therefore not drawing milk and emptying the breast as effectively.
So firslt you could check the position and attachment is ok and then, if it is, try massaging your breast gently with your knuckles to try to encourage any blocked ducts to unblock. If was a blocked duct though, I think you would have had pain by now so I'm thinking it's more likely to be that she's not stimulating milk supply as well on that side.

Incidentally, it is possible to feed solely on one breast (think about twins when they feed together) so as long as you're not in pain, just persevere and see if your flow increases. The fact she fusses and pulls off that side does imply that milk isn't flowing as well.

[LatinDAISYcal]

flopemout is there a baby cafe or breastfeedinf support service near you where you can get some advice.

there are a few reasons why baby might be fussing more at one side than the other, and many babies just have a preferred side and often let down is more forceful on one side than the other. And of course if you are tending to use the "better" side in order to get the milk into her, this will have a knock on effect on your supply.

Has she always been like this on that side, or is this a recent development? If recent she may have a bit of an ear infection going on and it's uncomfortable for her to feed on that side.

Try adjusting her positioning slightly as luciemule says and seeing if that helps, or try feeding her in a more upright position (google biological nurturing). A babymoon might be in order as well; take to bed with her, lots of skin to skin (get hubby to keep you topped up with food and drinks) and try and get her feeding as much as possible from that side, but taking care not to neglect the other one! If taking to bed isn't a practical option, as much skin to skin whailst feeding is good too.

Keep bumping this thread and hopefully tiktok or someone else a bit more knowledgeable than me comes along shortly.

In the meantime you might find some answers on kellymom

[FlopemOut]

Hmm, maybe it is an ear infection as this is a very recent thing and she's picked up a cold. It's definitely not a blocked duct, I had one earlier on in BF career in other breast. I'll stick with it til Friday when our BF cafe is.

[LatinDAISYcal]

the cold may well be the culprit flopemout, but good to get things checked at the baby cafe

I hope things are a bit better today.