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Author Topic: I can hear one side better...  (Read 804 times)

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Offline L76

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I can hear one side better...
« on: May 30, 2010, 19:06:21 pm »
When feeding DS I can hear the milk and hear him swollowing it. The other side I can't and it feels really lumpy.

Does anyone else find this? Is there anything I can do to help it improve?
I've been massaging when he feeds to try and ease it and help the milk flow but not sure if there is anything else I can try.

Only day 6 of bf although 2nd time around. Can't remember one side being better than the other last time. They were quite full and verging on engorged when the milk arrived.

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Offline *Ali*

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Re: I can hear one side better...
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2010, 22:45:24 pm »
How is your DS when feeding from the lumpy breast. Does he seem happy or frustrated? Does he fuss? Can you see him (muscle by his ear moving) swallowing? Do you do single sided or double sided feeding? Do you alternate which breast you feed from or is it possible you could be feeding from one side more often?
I do find one breast gets fuller than the other even now, this is very common. I know lots of ladies have one side with a faster let down than the other.
Have you mentioned this to your midwife and let her check your lumpy breast out? What about if you hand express does the milk come out ok?
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Offline ~ Vik ~

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Re: I can hear one side better...
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2010, 01:18:06 am »
The lumpy feeling you describe is a bit concerning - is that breast painful at all?  I wonder if ducts are plugged?  I agree with Cadie's mum that you might want to have a midwife or LC check it out IRL, just in case.  In addition to massage, you can use heat (moist heat, like a shower or hot water bottle is ideal) to help loosen the lumps and ease milk flow.  You could also try pumping after a feed to ensure that the breast is empty.

Having said that, it is normal for babies to prefer one side over the other, or for one side to have a larger supply than the other.  I wonder if the preference is even something simple like the way you're holding him?  Perhaps changing positions on the less preferred side will help?  Here is a link too with ideas on how to get him to nurse better on the less preferred side:  http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/lopsided.html

hth :)

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Offline L76

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Re: I can hear one side better...
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2010, 05:28:26 am »
Hi

It isn't too painful. But just more solid particularly on one side. Doesn't seem to feel emptied after feeding.

I've got a mw coming tomorrow so was going to ask her.

He definitely prefers the other side but maybe because he doesn't have to work so hard?
He doesn't fuss but does pull at it IYKWIM? And sometimes twists his head. He seems to be swallowing but not in the same way as on the other side. And I definitely can't hear the milk like on the other side. I do alternate breasts and currently doing both sides initially to relieve some of my pain from the milk
arriving but also as he is never very satisfied with the breast (he is also being topped up with bottles at some feeds but that's another story!)

Will check out the link for some ideas.

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