Uncomfortable on left side

[MrsNPattz]

Hi, my 4 month (19 week) little boy is EBF, and we have been getting great. However, the last couple of days it has started to feel uncomfortable when he feeds from the left side. I wouldn't say it was painful but it is not right, especially when he first starts to feed. Right side is absolutely fine. Any ideas? Thanks.

No experience sorry, could the BFC who suggested it help?

Sorry I posted that on the wrong thread

What's his latch like on that side? Have you tried different positions?

My left side was like this and I concluded it was because the nipple is slightly inverted.

I continued to feed DC1 from that side for several months, the pain eased, then from about 9mo we introduced ff as well as weaning and I stopped feeding from that side.

With DC2 I tried to feed from that side but gave up due to the pain and just fed from the right, supplementing with bottles as needed. But as HV said to me, people do feed twins successfully (I have a friend doing just that) so bf'ing from one side only is perfectly possible.

With DC1 I found Medela nipple shields (Boots or Amazon, they come in different sizes) really helped get us to a point where the pain subsided enough to feed normally. With DC2 I had DC1 to deal with and with DH working longer hours and unable to support me as much, I just decided not to put myself through it.

Good luck!

Is he teething at all? Could just be that he is experiencing discomfort when feeding on that side so isn't latching properly. Try going back to basics when latching him on so support his shoulders as you would a newborn and make sure he gets his head right back to take a good mouthful. You could also try rugby ball to see if he is happier feeding that way round.

Also could be mastitis/blocked duct? Other idea is that he might be teething - IME they do change their latch when teething to make allowances for where it hurts them.

X-post!

Does you nipple look a normal shape after he has finished? Not squished etc? This can be a good indication to whether he is latched on correctly. I completely agree about the teething thing, babies teeth come up and then retract again continually until they finally break through ( I always think this is mean!) so he might just have a sore patch that he doesnt like lying on. I would suggest if it persists over the weekend go see a BFC as if its latch, blocked duct etc then you need to get sorted before it gets worse!

Thanks for replies - yes he is teething! It's not blocked duct/mastitis, I have had that and it doesn't feel like it. It's the nipple that seems to be the problem - I can feel it when he's not on it. So you may be onto something with the teething, I will check his latch!