Baby only nurses on one side

by Ashley
(Mount Carmel,TN)

Hello,
I have a 3 week old little girl who was seemingly nursing well on both my left and right breast; however when my milk came in it was abundant and she has only been taking one side at feedings. She seems to dislike the left side and pulls off after feeding a minute or so and is extremely hesitant to latch back on. So my right breast is being drained competely and my left is staying full and hurts, I have been hand pumping the left side with little relief. My breast/milk supply is extremely uneven,is that an issue? However I just got my electric pump today and double pumped for 15 mins and got the same amount out of both,the left still is swollen,which worries me the left may have mastitis??! And if not how can I even out my breast? Thank you! : )

Answer from the lactation consultant
It is very common for babies to prefer one breast over the other, it can be one of many issues: positioning, overactive or underactive letdown, scar tissue, milk supply, infection or other problem.

My recommendation is for you to see a lactation consultant in person and allow her to assess what the issue is, I am very confident a visit with an LC will resolve your problem. It may be as simple as correcting latch or position or more complicated.In other words, this is not an issue that you will be able to remedy without a visit with a breastfeeding professional.
Once you remedy the nursing problem, your supply issues will resolve. If your breast is warm to the touch, it is quite possible that you are fighting off a breast infection, the LC can evaluate that as well. If you start to run a body fever, see your doctor immediately.

Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC