Question about nursing>?

Question

My baby boy 15 days old refuses to nurse from my left breast. I have tried every thing, even a nipple guard! He just doesn't like that side. He latches onto the other one just fine. Please does anyone have any suggestions.

Answer 1

My son was like that for some reason, the pediatrician said that it could be because one was bigger than the other or it could be that one was producing a different flavor than the other, or it could be that i wasn't producing enough milk...she said there were a variety of reasons and all I know is that no matter how I tried to do it he would want to stay more with the left than the right so I ended up pumping on one side while nursing him on the other.  

Answer 2

Start with that breast.  Also, message the breast to help with letdown...maybe he has to do more work on that side to get the milk.  My son hated my left breast too.  I would start with that side and it helped.  Good luck.

Answer 3

is his body always on the same side when you try to nurse him on that side?  it could be a sign of an ear infection.  it could also be a sign of oversupply or undersupply on that side.

Answer 4

you can see a lactation consultant. there should be one at the hospital you delivered at and they should be free or very cheep.

Answer 5

My kids all preferred my left side- once they got older, they stopped being as picky, but when they were little, football hold and laying down and changing the position around to get them to take the right side worked.  Really relaxing so I'd let down fast helped.   Also, since the shape of my right nipple is more oval, kind of pinching it so it was more round made them happy.  

My 2nd kid figured out that I'd let down faster if she pounded really hard with her teeny little fist while nursing.  

You can do it- it gets easier!

Answer 6

Someone asked a very similar question a few days ago. My answer helped her out so check it out maybe you will find your answer in here.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Good luck and keep persisting. It gets so much easier as your baby gets older and its so worth it

Answer 7

I had the same problem for the first month with my son.  The only thing I found that helped was to try a different position.  Try the football hold or laying down with him.  Also, I would break his suction every time he latched on incorrectly.  Sometimes it would take me 15 tries before he latched on well enough.  And even when I say, "well enough" I mean, it still hurt but wasn't as bad.  As my son got older, he learned how to latch on to both nipples and now it's fine.  He's 4 1/2 months old.  For the time being, make sure his mouth is open as wide as possible and make sure his mouth goes onto the nipple straight on and the bottom half of your areola is in his mouth as much as possible.  If you hear any clicking noise, take him off and try again.  Just keep delatching and relatching until he gets it right.  It's all about learning.  Good luck because I had a major problem with this and I was terribly sore on the left side for 3.5 weeks.  Ouch.

Answer 8

Firstly I must stress that you need to pump/hand express milk from that side if you want to solve the problem.  

Really you just need to keep trying.  Try different positions, try expressing a bit before you latch him on so the milk is "right there".  Try tricking him by latching him on the right breast first for a few minutes then switching to the other side. etc.

Remember your baby's mouth will get bigger, your baby will get more control of his head, your b*****s will change.  Just keep trying, some babies can take a long time to master breastfeeding at all -at least yours is nursing on one side.

Lopsided! What can I do?

...When baby prefers one side, or when supply or breast size is greater on one side

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/...

http://www.normalfed.com/Help/babyget.ht...

There are lots of reasons why a baby can't seem to get the hang of latching on and nursing well at first. While your baby learns how, you need to: 1) keep him fed, 2) keep your milk supply going, 3) keep in touch with breastfeeding specialists... and 4) keep the faith! Your baby will learn how. These babies did.  

Answer 9

There are several things to try if you are concerned. Try offering the less favored side first at each feeding (if let-down is the problem, then you can start nursing on the favored side, then gently break the latch and slide the baby to the other side after let-down). It may help to offer that side when the baby is sleepy, or while you are walking or rocking to distract the baby. Try various positions and consider nursing in a darkened room. It may take time, so be patient. While you are working to increase supply on the less favored side, make sure to continue to nurse or express often enough on the favored side so that you do not become engorged or develop a plugged duct or mastitis. I hope this helps.

Answer 10

I had this problem on my right side. Try using the foot ball hold on that side also your let down might be slower from not being used as much. Try getting the milk to come down before you latch him on. The other suggestion I have is to take him to a chiropractor. His neck and back might be stiff from his position inside of you and from birth. It worked wonders on my son. They do the adjusting very gently and without bone popping.