My right boob is drying up and I can't seem to get the production up!!! I have been pumping it every 2-3 hours but I'm lucky if I get an ounce each time. I have been bottle feeding Lily the pumped milk, then BFing afterward but I can't seem to get that right boob to make more milk!

The left one is fine... but I'm finding this all very frustrating! Any ideas??

My left has always been a far superior milk producer than my right. In fact, while breastfeeding, my left is usually a full cup bigger than my right (yeah talk about embarrassing but something I will deal with to keep breastfeeding my babies.. lol). The girls would *occasionally* nurse on my right but much preferred my left. They've always gotten plenty despite the fact!

I was the same way. One side was always a bigger producer. I wouldn't pump first though. Get her to nurse off of it first. She will draw so much more than a pump. Feed from your heavy producer second. I was careful not to lay on that side either. WHo knows if that had anything to do with it, but if figured it was best not to crush the milk glands so that they had a chance to fill up.

quote:

I was careful not to lay on that side either. WHo knows if that had anything to do with it, but if figured it was best not to crush the milk glands so that they had a chance to fill up.

I never even thought of that... I always lay on my right side because the bassinet is to my right and I like to face her when I sleep!! Maybe I will switch sides with DH and put the bassinet on that side to see if that helps... It's a long shot but you never know!!

Frances, don't worry about the mis-matched boobs... lol!! I still have one huge one from nursing Rayna! They never really leveled out again so thats nothing new for me... But I never noticed a significant difference in milk production last time.

I will be getting a breast reduction when I am done having kids/breastfeeding anyway, I have always had terrible back pain, not to mention they have always made me feel really self conscious. Hopefully they will be able to correct my lopsided boobs then... haha!! For now, all I care about is that they are functioning properly... haha, how funny does that sound???

My left boob lags a little in production too. I didn't notice it though until I was at work pumping for a couple of weeks. Amelia doesn't seem to protest so I haven't worried too much about it.

I sleep on my left side and that thought hasn't even crossed my mind....I may have to switch to my right for a few nights and see if it changes anything.

I agree with the others on the pumping. I would nurse her 1st and on the low side. The only way its gonna pick up is if shes draining it every time. Pumping doesnt always tell you how much you have so I wouldnt go by that. And if your not going to work i may would drop the pumping all together during the day so shes nursing every feeding 1st and no bottles.

1 other thing is if shes going longer than 3 hours id get her up during the day and nurse every 3 . Maybe that would squeeze 1 or 2 more times in . Then pump once in teh night OR get her up and nurse. Then once youve got the supply back up drop to 3.5 hours etc.

one other thing..lol.. What pump are you using? HAve you considered a different one to see if maybe its the pump and not you?

Honestly no matter what I did.. my right breast never came close to the production of my left. I tried feeding the girls from the right side, pumping, fenugreek (and while the fenugreek did increase my production... you guessed it my left became engorged.. my right did not. lol). I know my right produces milk as they would nurse off of it if I offered, but they showed a strong preference to my left, so I pretty much became a one booby nurser. lol. It's never harmed the kiddos... both Clarity and Emma were never supplemented with formula.

quote:

one other thing..lol.. What pump are you using? HAve you considered a different one to see if maybe its the pump and not you?

I have two - the Avent Isis hand pump as well as a Medela Swing electric. They are both good but I find the Avent one is harder on the nipple so I don't use it as much.

I didn't give her a bottle at all yesterday and she was still going 3-5 hours between feedings... she eats a LOT at each feed though. I'm starting to think she just has a slower metabolism. She slept last night from 11-6 and drained both boobs when she finally woke up, not a single spit up either!! haha... I guess I will just stop worrying about it, she seems to be content with what she's getting.