Drying up in one breast only?!

[AmyRS]

DS is 7 months old.  At our bedtime feed there is hardly enough milk for him on my right side and I have to switch to the left in order to satisfy him.  It is also taking a long time for my letdown to come which is weird.  We have always just nursed from one side per feeding.  This has been happening for about a week, and now today at the 3PM feeding it happened again.  My left is completely fine, but my right appears to be drying up!

I'm so upset because I want to nurse for as long as possible.

Has anyone heard of drying up on one side only?  What can I do?   

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Hi, first of all god well done for getting to 7 months. Not sure about the drying up but have you tried pumping after a feed to try and help it start to flow again. Not sure on the outcome as never got to 7 months before but its got to be worth a go

Try not to get to upset as im sure there is an answer and someone will have it on the boards.

Kate

[JKL]

Well, even if you totally dry up on one side, rest assured that you could still nurse--ds nursed for like a year only on my right.  Sure, I was a bit (hah!) lopsided.....

Could be that he is taking less at the nighttime and 3 feeds (or he has for some reason for the last little while), and your breast is adjusting accordingly.  Could be a growth spurt, and what usually satisfies him on that side is not enough at the moment (I remember that happening with my son around 6 months, and I panicked because I thought I was drying up too), and in that case, your body will adjust accordingly.  Could be that he is nursing more for comfort now, so wants both sides (like if he's teething).  I wouldn't stress out, though.

[Samuel's mum]

Make sure you are drinking plenty because what you are describing can happen when a mother is a little dehydrated (supply issues later in the day, slower letdown). Focused pumping can also really help in your situation. For a couple of days pump on the 'weaker' side directly AFTER a feed for 5-10 minutes. It's unlikely anything will really come out but you are sending signals to increase production.

It's very common to switch to 2 sides at some point. Not many go on one side forever so I wouldn't worry if 2 sides are needed. It's also common for one side to be a better producer than the other.

[praytormom]

I am in a similar predicament as AmyRS.  My breasts feel so empty and I never feel my milk come in anymore except about 1 min after my 6 mo old DS is on my breast and even then it's on the opposite side that he's feeding AND it doesn't feel like much comes in anyway.  I always feel my milk come down about 30 min before a feeding, but haven't felt this in about 2 weeks.  How long can growth spurts last?  I am so worried he is not getting enough.  He has terrible reflux and keeps spitting up about 1/2 an once at every feeding, so it worries me even more that he's not getting enough nutrition.  Does anybody know if there is anything else we can do except pump, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest?

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

How long can growth spurts last?  I am so worried he is not getting enough.  He has terrible reflux and keeps spitting up about 1/2 an once at every feeding, so it worries me even more that he's not getting enough nutrition.  Does anybody know if there is anything else we can do except pump, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest?

Gs are generally 2-4 days i think but mine last about a week.

You shouldn't worry about the spitting up as with my ds#1 he spat up so much i would have said it was the whole lot, but hv reassured me that it looks a lot worse then it is.

Do you single side feed or both? If single then you could offer the other breast and if both then offer the third side (not saying you have three breast or anything). This what i do.

Never feel worried. I've found this site to have given me so much support and help, if im not sure about something i can post and there's always someone to help or just make me feel a little better.

Kate

[JKL]

Eating more protein always seemed to help my supply (or maybe it was psychological.... )  Also, ds used to spit up at least once after every BF--usually more than that.  If your son is gaining weight and seems content after a feed (spitting up didn't usually bother ds), I wouldn't worry that he isn't getting enough...

[praytormom]

Thank you JKL and Kate! 
I was single-side feeding, but now he seems to want both breasts as he is just not full on one side alone.  I know what you're saying about the "3rd side."  I have done that once or twice - I can try that as well.  He is still having very wet diapers, so that has been reassuring.  I just wish I knew how many ounces he is getting or better yet, I am producing - there is just so much "grey" area when it comes to BF.  You would think that after 6 months I would have this down, but just when you think you know what you're doing - a hiccup comes along.   
Glad to know about the "spitting-up".  It never seems to bother him, so I won't worry.
Thanks again...Lauren

[Samuel's mum]

Lauren - it's NORMAL to stop feeling any letdown and for breasts to change in the way they feel. A lot of people stop feeling letdown and stop feeling full and have a mini-panic but it's the way it works.
Spitting up can often be a baby spitting up the excess (not always) in an oversupply situation. It always looks worse than it is. It's a cliche but it's true - take 1-2oz of cow's milk and spill and see how much it looks! If a baby is a 'happy spitter' and not in pain it's normally not considered 'reflux' (that would include a return of the acid causing pain.)
Moving to double-sided feeding often happens before 6 months - in 'Secrets' Tracy said it often happened around 12 pounds.

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Hi Lauren, You sound just like me when you say:

 I just wish I knew how many ounces he is getting or better yet, I am producing - there is just so much "grey" area when it comes to BF.  You would think that after 6 months I would have this down, but just when you think you know what you're doing - a hiccup comes along. 

I always feel like this and am always watching is weight, but emma told me last week to relax on the weight gain. I've got to say i have stopped thinking about it since then and the end of the day my ds is Happy & Alert and that should tell me that he is getting enough.

I don't know if i've already said but dh gives ds his last feed of ebm and his drinking 5oz, he would on occation take more but i think thats enought. I know he dosen't get that from me in a feed more like 3 1/2 - 4oz, but its what i express at 7pm & 9.30pm and theres no waste. It also makes me feel a bit better as to what he is taking, maybe its something you could consider doing yourself. For peace of mind

Speak soon kate x

[praytormom]

Kate and Samuel's Mom - thank you so much for your replies.  You have no idea how much better I feel to know that it is completely normal for my breasts to not "feel full" anymore.  Letdown was such a comforting feeling for me to know that my milk is ready, but I'll just have to get used to not feeling it any longer.  Also, my DS is a "happy spitter" but is on meds for his acid reflux...his pain was severe in the beginning before the meds.  But, I am too thinking that he spits up due to excess of what his little body needs.  I hope to start weaning him off the meds soon.  Thanks so much!!! 
Lauren

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Best of luck

Kate