sorry to say this but i could hardly 'pump' out 2 tablespoons from my right boob .... so i bf on left and ff...unitil it easier to do total FF.... (i had huge stress not to PRO bf so every circumstance is different)
Bubno.3 ~ Was this with your second baby you couldn't produce much milk? That's pretty much how it was with DD too, in the end had to supplement with formula because my left breast just couldn't keep up.. Its heartbreaking to think this is how its going to be again.. Makes me not want to even bother (stamps foot like a 3 year old and has a tanty)
with all 3 kids.... it didnt really worry me however i knew the baby needed to be fed so ff was it.... my 3rd son i really wanted to try bf but my delightful husband (ex now) decided to make life too bloody stressful so the first 7 weeks i got with ds3 and then bf dried up..... i was enjoying the bonding and our snuggles in the morning too (but that is whole different post)
It is possible to successfully feed off one side Stevie. I'm sure I've heard of it before. Whether it's possible for you or not I don't know but don't give up on it just yet, if it's important to you.
Another option is to use donated milk if that is something that you are open to.
If it even comes to that. Maybe have a chat to an LC before you have bub and get a plan in place to give yourselves the best chance possible. At least then, if it doesn't work out, you can say, "I did everything I could and it didn't work" and hopefully feel a bit more confident in yourself and having to supplement.
I've fed both of mine almost exclusively off of one breast in the earlier days and then entirely from one as they got older (my leftie too). DD1 fed till just after 3 and I'm 12months in with DD2 (6months of that was tandem feeding too), neither have ever had any formula, bottle or supplementation so it is definitely possible. Breasts work on supply and demand so if the baby is demanding more from one breast it will make more to keep up.
The only real annoyance for me has been my breasts are completely different sizes which makes bra selection difficult but no problems actually feeding at all.
It might be worth getting an appointment with a lactation consultant to have a chat? It certainly is possible to produce enough milk from just one breast.
All the best
I second the appointment with a LC, they are going to have far more idea about things that might help or that you might be able to try. Or even a call to the ABA hotline. FWIW BFing second time around is scary when the first time was hard work and a lot of pain, I hear ya! My left was my problem side and even during this pregnancy it certainly doesnt have as dark and deep veins as the right clearly does. Buuuut that said FWIW, I fed solely off one side for a very long time (2 months- over 12 months on one side) then reestablished in the left side to continue feeding from both sides. Try not to panic yet, the key to success is education and determination
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