Can I breastfeed from one side only?

[Moonshine160]

I’m having some troubles breastfeeding. DS is 5 weeks only and has been checked three times now for tongue tie and apparently he doesn’t have one. He has a really shallow latch and makes lots of clicking sounds when feeding, he is also a very gassy baby. I have noticed that he feeds fairly happily from my left breast but my right breast has a really forceful letdown and he’s constantly latching on and off it which I think it what is making him take in a lot of air. Ive tried catching the milk into a Muslin when it’s spraying out but he still fusses on the right boob. I’ve had a breastfeeding support worker come out to me who gave me tips to improve the latch but it hasn’t stopped the fussy behaviour on the one breast.

Part of me wants to stop breastfeeding altogether as I’m getting quite down with all of this but I’m wondering if it’s possible to just feed from the one breast? Will I have enough milk to do that?

If you can I would get a specialist. My little one had tongue tie during covid, so no-one wanted to see her. When eventually the infant feed coordinator did see her she watched us feed, then with gloves finger felt her mouth. She said she thought it was but would refer us to specialist to confirm. It might big difference to my supply, the pain and my confidence. Also is there any breastfeeding groups near you. The option wasn't there for me, but again they can be good place for support in early days.

I had a similar problem with my second child. The latch improved as she got older. If you'd like to breastfeed long term (6 months+), I'd try to keep both sides going if you can. I found feeding laying down helped. It was a pain having to lay down every time but I'd have the problems you're describing if I didn't. After a couple of months I was able to feed sitting up and the latch had improved. Good luck, I know it's so hard in those early weeks but it does get better!!

Yeah I ended up primarily using one boob pretty quickly - I couldnt manage the right boob when feeding laying down and it was always such a faff otherwise.

Weve been one boob now for 2 years - the other boob just dried up. Other boob has been fine!