Normal to have one-sided engorgement after returning to work and breastfeeding?

[TwinkleTwinkleX]

i have a 1 year old that is still breastfeeding at night and in the morning. She has a real preference for one side and the supply on that side is clearly much better. I have just started back at work and due to her catching a nursery bug she went off solid food and wanted to nurse much more. She’s better now and eating again but my boob (1 side!) has gone into overdrive. This is me after a day of work.. I came home and had to feed her immediately for relief! Is this normal? Will it ease off? I am concerned the more I try and get her to drain that side the more engorged it will become. I had to pad out the other side at work as it’s so noticeable! Any advice welcome

Yes this is very normal. I remember hurrying to nursery and literally feeding my boy sitting on the floor of the baby room when he was 13 months because i couldn't bear even waiting to get into the car! Don't worry at all. It will quickly regulate to what you need. Even if you're getting her to drain the breast in the evening, your body will quickly get used to the fact no milk is being taken during the day. You may end up with one boob noticeably larger than the other for quite a while though. I think for some women it never quite evens out again.

@TwinkleTwinkleX I think this can happen quite a lot when your routine changes. The body sometimes takes a bit of time to adjust when feeds or pumping sessions change. Keeping an eye on comfort and finding a routine that works for you usually helps. Hope it settles soon.

Thank you! Hopefully it eases soon. Another day of bad engorgement on one side. I don’t want to stop feeding entirely but this is crazy. I’m hoping it settles into night feeds and first thing in the morning. The imbalance makes it so much harder

I've had wonky engorgement when returning to work 3 times. It lasted a week or so and then my body adapted. I was only working 3 days a week, my friends that went back full time seemed to adjust more quickly. It was seriously painful with my twins for the first few days and i was desperate to latch them on the second i got home. Continued to feed them without discomfort (after the first two weeks vack at work) for a further year without issue.