One boob drying up? Help!

[heidipi]

I know it's normal for one side to produce more milk than the other, but my left side seems to be producing very little in the last few days. I express once a day when 8 wk old DD has a bottle feed (long story, carry over from poor supply in early days and ongoing pain when feeding, one feed off really helps recovery for next day) and also sometimes when it's just too painful due to current cluster feeding etc.

Anyway, I've just got 60ml from the right towards the next feed (not loads but ok for me) but the lefty has barely covered the bottom of the bottle. When i feed frommthe breast DD always takes both sides and I alternate starting with left and right but with the left she finishes much quicker and gulps more from the right and has more milk showing at corners of mouth etc?

Is this normal and any tips for improving? I had mastitis on the left just before Xmas but it cleared up quickly and was ok immediately afterwards.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

If its not too painful, could you start each feed on the left for a couple of days, just to try to build up the supply a bit?

Also wanted to say that not expressing much might not mean anything. With DC1 I could hardly ever express a drop yet he got it out himself quite successfully.

Hope someone with experience or training will come along soon.

Hi JJJ thanks for that. Yes I'd thought about starting with the left each time but worried that that might affect the right and I'd end up with less there too! Probably irrational worry though.

I know expressing isn't necessarily a reflection of what the baby gets, but I did used to be able to express more from the left, about half what I got from the right whereas now it's just a few ml.

I'll persevere though, thanks.

heidipi not really sure on what would be best then, have you spoken to a Bfing Counsellor?

Hi again - I haven't spoken to a bfc about this, though I have about other things. I find I tend to get conflicting advice from different ones but there's a group I can go to on tues so I'll ask then. I just expressed and got 20 mls from the left so at least that's an improvement on yesterday anyway.

Thanks!

Glad you can access some RL help, hope they will give you some support