Mainly feeding on left breast and attachment problems

Hi ladies!

So its been a very trying 4 weeks so far, and only in the last couple of days has DD finally got the hang of BF, but on my left breast only. Her attachment seems to be spot on now, however, we cant get it happening on the right breast. She doesnt latch on properly and I can hear lots of clicking noises and she constantly pulls off. Any tips for how to address this issue? Or will she just figure it out like she did on the left?

Also, in light of the fact that she feeds well on my left breast, I tend to use it more. Is this bad? Will it cause supply issues, or will my body figure out what I am doing???

I'm really not enjoying BF, but want to do it for DD, so any help/tips would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance xo

Well done on your progress so far! :clap:
Feeding on one side (or mostly one side) is sustainable if that's what works for you guys.
There can be a whole range of possible reasons why she may prefer one side. It's quite common in fact, and often one side has a better (or faster) supply of milk and favouring that side only makes this more pronounced. one side can make enough for a baby though, so it's not necessarily a problem.
Sometimes babies' neck can be out of alignment or something like that, so they don't like to lie a certain way. Have you tried a different hold - ie football on the bad side? Or even feeding lying down.
Somtimes the flow is too slow - you can try to trigger letdown before you put her on.
Or, the flow may even be too fast on that side, if she's pulling off a lot. You could try triggering letdown and waiting till the most forceful squirts are done, then put her on. Or try feeding in a more upright position.

And there are probably a bunch of other possibilities.

congratulations on your first four weeks. It's really full on but it does get easier - pretty soon you and your baby will both be pros.

Thanks Marcellus, there have been so many times when I've just wanted to give up!

So good to know that its a common thing, and not just me! I have tried the football hold, and she feeds just ok that way. I think u may be on to something though with the fast flow. I will try some of the tips you have suggested and see if that helps.

Thanks again, much appreciated :hug:

No problemo
Don't forget the ABA are there 24 hours - especially if you're pulling your hair out and at a complete loss (as we all are at some point)

I would probably be getting bubs checked out by an osteo or chiropractor as well JIC there is an underlying physical issue that is preventing her being comfortable on that side.

I can think of several reasons that she might not be attaching on that side, There are things you can do about it, but in the meantime, please don't worry as your supply on the left side would be compensating.

She might have difficulty for a physical reason, say as a result of the birth or her positioning in the womb. (Sometimes a paed chiropractor or osteopath can help). You could try putting her in a different hold on that side, to make sure she isn't uncomfortable. So try the football hold if until now you've been trying the cradle hold. Feeding her lying down on that side will possibly also help.

Your letdown might be slower on that side. You can try speeding it up by expressing a little off that side first, to ensure you've had a letdown. Or put her on that side first, switch when she won't stay on and go back to it after you've finished on the other side. Try to relax before offering her this side, if you tense up it may be affecting your let down. Make sure you visibly relax your shoulders, take deep breaths and don't stress if it doesn't work.

If you'd like to build up the supply on the right side, then try expressing after you've fed her if she hasn't taken anything/much off that side.

Have you seen a LC? It can help to have someone there to watch the bf closely and perhaps make some suggestions to help her attach. Alternatively, if you can get in touch with the ABA, find your local group and pop along to their next meeting (you might even be able to see a counsellor in your area). Seeing them in person can often make it easier to figure things out.

GL and well done for persisting despite your troubles. :hug: Not everyone 'enjoys' bfing, hun, but you should be proud of yourself for the effort you are making to get this right.

Manhatten, my mind might be wrong but I think I remember you saying you had your ultrasounds at the same place at me when we were pregnant. I am not sure where you are but there is a new ABA drop in centre in dandenong, they are open for you to just call in on Wednesdays and are open other days by appointment.

My DD2 fusses at my right side so I tend to favour the left, however she tends to feed off of the right if she is really hungry?! who knows, I am happy chugging along at the moment, but I was going to pop into the drop in centre and just get an opinion on why she may be doing it.

If I am totally of track just ignore the above :lol:.

All 3 of mine have preferred one side over the other at the start, I think it must be something to do with how I hold them when I attach them, or the shape of that nipple or something (although it looks the same to me!). DD1 took about 3 weeks to get it right, DD2 was ok from the start but definitely struggled more on the same side DD1 did, and DS1 is 3 weeks old and is just starting to get the hang of it now, after cracked nipples, oral/nipple thrush, a blocked duct etc.... its been fun- NOT!!!

I know they talk about nipple confusion, but I found with DD1 and this time, using a nipple shield HELPED their attachment on that side. I fed normally on the good side, and used the nipple shield for every feed for a couple of days on the bad side which let my nipple heal, but also seemed to help them attach better when I stopped using it. I don't know why, but both times its helped heaps. Apparently its important to get the large size, I got the medela one and it worked well.

I went on to feed for well over a year with both girls with no problems and look forward to things better with this one too.

Good luck, it'll be worth all the hard work in the end, not just for her health-wise but for both of you :)