problems with lopsided boobs

[diyqueen]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has had anything similar and can offer advice? I have a 6 week old daughter who has been breastfed from the start, and although she's gaining weight well and I'm managing to feed her well I'm still having some problems. Most are with the right boob - this one is twice the size of the left, becomes engorged frequently, has a fissure on the nipple and is painful - feels bruised during a feed with sharp pains in the nipple sometimes between feeds. When dd feeds it seems there is loads of milk in this boob and it comes out really fast - sometimes she can't keep up and coughs and splutters. The left one the other hand feels soft most of the time, isn't painful but doesn't seem to have much milk - despite me feeding from this one first until it's empty and pumping extra from it between feeds when I can (never get more than 1/2 to 1oz). A local bf counsellor has just advised feeding off the left as much as I can to build up supply but it doesn't seem to be working. There are a couple of issues here - the pain and discomfort from the right, and the lopsidedness making me feel pretty miserable every time I look in the mirror. Any advice/experience appreciated!

Try contacting LLL, they were very helpful to me. I think it's very common to produce more from one boob than the other, I had a bit of a problem this way too. It's still quite early days, so keep going with the nursing from the left and pumping. Believe me I feel your pain!!

Just wanted to say that I am another 'lopsided' BFer I had similar problems to you in the early days but have managed to persevere and am still BF my DS at 7mo. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I had to work really hard on DS getting a decent latch on my bigger boob, as a poor latch led to frequent nipple problems like you describe. Once he was past about 3/4mo things got easier as he was that much bigger and stronger and so less 'swamped' by the heaviness of my boob!

Stick in there, it sounds like you are doing a great job

Thanks both . I'm glad it's not just me. I shall persevere and try LLL - they have a monthly meeting near where I live.

My right one never did produce much, even first time round when I was bf the boy - and I was an avid, avid pumper then (I was donating it all).

So this time, apart from feeding from it to get the colostrum and waiting for it to settle down, I've ditched it and just feed from the one, super-boob!

It settled down size-wise and didn't leak after a couple of weeks and though without a top on and when I've had a let down it does look ridiculous (!) the size difference I mean, you can't tell at any other time.

I've been feeding the girl for 6 months, she was 9 7 at birth and remains on the 98th centile for weight - so all in all, super boob is doing well!

Strange thing though, every 7 weeks or so, the 'bad' boob gets slightly sore and I have to express from it (by hand, when feeding her) and the milk is so odd - very, VERY oily....

The lopsidedness will settle down, just give it some time. Promise.