DS, 6 days old, think i might be having problems with one boob !

[smk84]

Hi, Ds has been feeding brilliantly from my right side, but since yesterday I have noticed that he doesn't seem to be swallowing as much on the left (no probs before). While the right seems to give anything up to 7 or 8 let downs per feed, I think he only has a couple of swallowing sessions on the left. His attachment looks the same on both sides (midwives have seen both), and I have tried front and side positions, but it doesn't seem to make any difference, and he sometimes pulls off the left a lot at the start (he has also stayed on the left for feeds lasting 15 -20 mins even when it doesn't sound like there is much milk coming). Both boobs feel full , and when he has been on the left it does feel emptier than at the start, but just not as good as the right. I am not sure if it's anything to worry about, and also don't know if I should change how much I am feeding on each side? At the moment we alternate sides, but if he does a short feed (e.g. 10 mins) I do put him back on that boob for the next feed. Thanks for reading, this is my third post since he was born - big learning curve for me !!!

and now just trying to decide which side to feed - 9am tried left but he kept coming off, put on right and he had fab feed for 30 mins, rooting again so back on left for 15 mins (didn't hear any fast swallowing), but content to stay on and content afterwards. Now which side ? (Am I worrying too much ?!)

I think it quite normal for a baby to 'prefer' one boob to the other, all of my dcs have had something against my left (!) but to avoid engorgement or infection of the 'wrong' boob, I would hand express it after your ds has finished his feed til it feels more comfortable, (machine expressing could stimulate you to produce more milk, negating the relief you'd gain from emptying). HTH

By the way those sound like healthy feeding times to me, how old is your DS?

oops......then you can alternate the way you normally would, If your DS is feeding for more than 10 mins and you're getting let-downs then he must be getting the 'quality' hind milk - the danger is that if baby feeds for only a short time eg a few minutes he will only get the watery fore-milk, this would show in his poo. like, greeny watery poo as opposed to that lovely rich 'baby korma'

Thank you - was thinking of expressing, but wondering if I then need to put him back on that boob (he sometimes takes 3 boobs per feed session, or even more than that in the eveninigs !) there really would be nothing there for him ?? I guess I could do it when I know the feed session has finished (i.e. when he finally goes to sleep !) ? Thanks again.

just bumping - thanks

THANK YOU MAPLES, GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT THE FORE / HIND. NO MORE MIDWIFE VISITS NOW NEXT ONE WILL BE HV. SARRY CANT REPLY PROPERLY ONE HAND TYPING !

Ditto lll. There are no groups near me but they gave me fab advice over email, really detailed, do contact them. You will always have enough milk, you produce what is required apparently...someone else who is more informed will explain why Im sure.

Also ditto preference to one side. I have found I feed so much I forget which side I was on, but it doesn't matter as feeding again comes round so quickly anyway. you sound like you're doing really well, honestly! It's not easy, well not for me, so congrats to you both for your success so far!

Thank you - I think I will make a list of questions and give them a ring ! Thank you for all your encourgement.

A friend of mine's DD would only ever feed from one side. She ended up managing one-sided in the end. For her we suspect it was just more comfy for DD after a complicated birth, she tried an osteopath but although baby was calmer she still only would feed from one side.