2 week old only nursing one breast

[Benandjerrysbonnoffeepie]

My DD is 2 weeks old been struggling a bit with breast feeding/latching particular with right breast. Decided to express a bit so I know she’s getting enough milk.

She is quite literally only feeding from my left breast now (cries if I dare try to give her the right one) however if I express my right breast will that keep up milk supply on that breast?

Also it’s currently rock solid and anytime I move it, it drips so will that help keep both breasts with similar amounts of milk?

Just looking to see if this is right thing to do, finding breastfeeding a complete minefield!

If your breast is rock hard I'd suggest trying to express before baby latches as otherwise baby might not get enough nipple and you could end up sore.

I’d express a bit so the pressure lessens and let baby try again. I’d your breast feels solid the milk flow has built up and will squirt out in her mouth if she sucks even a little bit. You could also try a different position.
If she really won’t latch do express a bit more, if you leave your breast like this you could get mastitis.

Thank you both. Tried a few positions but doesn’t seem to take to the right one, will express a bit on it and try her again on it before bed.

I had this but the other way around. I would feed on the right and express from the left.

After a couple of weeks I was referred to the infant feeding team through my HV. Whilst waiting I also paid for an independent lactation consultant. Both the feeding team and lactation consultant diagnosed a tongue tie. Once we had that done (7 weeks) feeding became much easier and DS was able to feed both sides.

I had this with both of mine. I used to hold them as if I was going to feed them from the left but move them over to the right. Had to do it over a few feeding sessions until they readily took the right.

I think it's pretty natural for a baby to prefer one side, especially such a young baby but do ring one of the Helplines if you're struggling

Apparently it’s really common for babies to have a ‘favourite’ side! My bigger side was always more difficult for my DD2 in the early days because my let down was much more forceful (it still is, but we are both learning to control it).

Up until about 6 weeks I was hand expressing that breast before she latched just to take a bit of pressure off and it seemed to work!

Also, in the early days my DD2 would frequently only feed from one side and refuse the other. I spoke to a Breastfeeding consultant who said that as long as she was content, good nappies etc then she was obviously getting enough from 1. It all evened out for us and now she takes both sides every feed.