Giving up bf on one side only (because it's damaged) ??

[MrsHathaway]

I really ought to know what I'm doing by now, because I've racked up a total of 64m bf over 3 DC But no.

I've always found it easier feeding on the left - I'm right-handed for a start, but also the latch, positioning, etc always seemed better that side.

DC3 (11mo) has bitten the right nipple. He has five teeth, and got it with four of them at once. There is a lovely deep tooth-shaped indentation or hole on the underside. This happened about a week ago, but I only spotted the hole a couple of days ago when curiosity got the better of me and I just had to look.

Anyway it's gone from "huh" to "ouch" to "OUCH" to "OH MY DEAR GOD WHEN WILL THIS END" and although at first it only hurt at the beginning, now it's agony throughout the entire feed, and painful all day long (clothes hurt).

Because of the precise position, nipple shields can't help (they would rub right on it) and I can't even bear to apply Lansinoh.

So my plan is just not to use it. Lefty can do double duty, I'm back in breast pads on righty. I have a ff bottle ready for bedtime (he has ff at nursery though not at home, usually) so he can tank up before going on lefty.

And I'm idly wondering whether this is going to be a problem. I'm quite happy to use just one side and am happy for body to readjust accordingly.

Thoughts?

Need to get the hole checked out. Should have a hole...not sure about whether you can go to just one breast or not. Hopefully someone more knowledgable will come along.
Btw well done on the bf, halo well deserved :)

No idea if it is advisable practice but I have been feeding my 15 month old on one side only for a few months now. Twice a day morning and evening. He seems happy enough and no ill effects I can see on me

Thanks fanjo that's helpful.

idefix I thought someone might say that. I'm avoiding doing so because I know they'll solve my problem by telling me to give up bf completely (have had that from DC1 7mo and this DC from about 4wo).

DD bit me badly a month ago and I ended up stopping on that side for a week but trying some gentle expressing to try to maintain the supply. Is that something you would want to consider?

If you just want to stop on that side then rest assured that my supply on the hurt side dropped dramatically but the supply on the other side actually increased a little. So based solely on my personal experience I would suggest it is certainly physiologically possible if that's the plan you're set on.

I had a pal who due to a cyst never produced milk on one side but fed her child for 6 months on the other.

Thanks all. He has had half a bottle and dropped off so I'm flummoxed now.

Much less sore for the time being though ...

I breastfed my two kids (first one for 20 months, other one still feeding now at a year) on one side cos of a previous operation to take milk ducts from the other breast. No probs, both babies nice and chunky.

A friend of mine dropped to feeding on one breast after problems/injury on the other, again no issues

Yep, fed dd1 for a year on one side, no problems apart from wonky boobs

Good to hear success stories.

I have used that bad side because I was v engorged and cba going downstairs to find my pump but am mainly using good old lefty. Stopping being stressed about it has helped with production generally, and the rest (two feeds in 24h rather than maybe eight) is definitely helping with healing.

Will update with progress in case it is of use or interest.

I'd have thought you'll be able to stop feeding on that side for long enough to heal and then go back to it if you want. You've been feeding for a while so the milk won't disappear overnight. Ds might have to work a bit harder though which I suppose might make him a bit bitey again.
I think it's perfectly possible to feed one side only at 11m.

Would paraffin dressings help you heal?

A friend of mine could only feed on one side due to a history of breast cancer. Wasn't a problem.