Encouraging breasts to develop equally efficient at feeding baby

[Mumfun]

Hi

I know strange question but wondered if anyone had any ideas? Before I had first baby had never noticed if breasts were same size. Then had DS , breasts increased equally as far as I remember and was able to feed both sides but became obvious that he preferred a lot to feed off right breast as it was more efficient. Took a lot of milk from me and left breast often struggled to provide enough (Right breast noticeably bigger now). Eventually towards end of BF left one gave up and I fed off right breast only.

Anyway now 18 weeks pregnant for second time and breasts seem to have developed differently - right one is bigger and seems much heavier than left one. ( I know size not supposed to matter but it seemed to make a difference to me last time round)

Im hoping left one will be able to feed ok. Im also wondering is there any way to encourage left one to operate better than last time - DS did get frustrated with it and so preferred the right one!
(Im likely to have a big hungry baby so for me feeding off only one breast in first few months is not an option tho one friend has done so very happily)

BTW I do know about the herb tea to drink to increase overall milk supply and it did help me a bit.

Thx in advance for any thoughts.

MF

Would expressing from it help to increase the supply?

Perhaps you can alway feed off the smaller one first ? I found this happened to me with my left side, so I always made sure to do plenty of feeding from the right one. The left was always heavier (more full?) but I would let it leak (sometimes with a breast shell to collect the milk).

Stopped feeding now & I think they are more or less the same size.

My granny had the same thing - one baby preferred a certain size, so she (so she tells me) is a bit lopsided

hi Mumfun I have had excatly the same problem but with my left breast, glad to hear I am not alone.

You might not find it to be a problem at all this time around. DD1 seemed to prefer the right, but DD2 definitely prefers the left. As she's (DD2) got a bit older I have found it easier to encourage her to feed from both, just persevered really and I also found lying down with her, to feed, cured a multitude of problems! (Including this one).

Ds preferred the left and I do notice a slight difference in size even now. I would do as BB says, wait and see if it is an issue this time. If same thing happens, perhaps express more on the other side to stimulate lactation.

give the left one first?
This baby might not have a preference!! so try and feed from both sides!
Mine prefered left to start with , but maybe because i liked to have my right hand free?
does that make sense?!

Hi

Thanks for all the help. Did express last time but might think about using it more cleverly. Also didnt know what shells were last time till too late and they might help me not waste a lot but save and use it.

Reading up on kellymom for more info now - has some amazing stuff on it

Thanks again