A lady contacted us the other day asking: "I'm just
wondering if you have heard of babies preferring one breast to the
other. My almost 6 month old is doing this and I'm finding
I'm having to pump from the one which she isn't drinking
from."
The reasons for this can be a combination of things.
Sometimes babies will refuse one side when the let-down on that
side doesn't quite suit them. Your breast on that side might have a
slower or faster letdown (and baby might have a preference for
either faster or slower flow) just depending on what suits them.
Babies are SMART and they do develop a preference for what they
like.
Though please bare in mind, if this is something that has just
happened suddenly, it may be caused by an ear infection which is
making nursing painful on that side as they swallow, so you might
want to see your doctor to check that.
Also mum and baby each have a subconscious preference, and
baby's natural preference, e.g. they often are more comfortable to
hold on one side.
Here are a few ideas of what you can try, choose something
that you think you can tackle first. You might not have to do
everything listed here.
- Try starting to breastfeed on baby's preferred side and then
move baby over to the other side (without changing their body
angle/position).
- Continue to try different nursing positions, often the best
results for this type of situation are when mum breastfeeds lay
down on her side
- Offer the least preferred breast to your baby first when
they've just woken up and still a bit sleepy (and hungriest). Then
it will be baby's instincts kicking in to feed when offered.
- Try to feed from the least preferred side with a little motion,
just to change the routine of sitting on the couch and feeding.
It's a bit tricker to do, but you could try holding baby and
breastfeeding while standing and swaying or walking until baby
latches and feeds well on that side.
- You can also express from the least preferred side to maintain
supply.
- If your baby seems to prefer faster flow, then do some breast
compressions (downward massage to nipple) while feeding to speed
the flow.
- Stay patient and keep trying, but don't let it stress you out.
Just give it a try each day.
- And it is totally possible to breastfeed just from one side, if
it comes to that, your body will adjust (albeit a little
lopsided)