thread: Is feeding off one breast OK?

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Perth
    3,686

    I've heard that the baby favours the same breast as the hand you write with... ie your dominant arm because it feels stronger/more secure.... also i suspect that your circulation is slightly greater/faster on that side of the body meaning milk is made faster? who knows why they favour.... maybe we could ask a child who has been breast fed until their "milk teeth" fell out (apparently this is a theory as to how old the human child is meant to be breast fed for according to mother nature)...and they could tell us why they have a preference!
    That makes sense really and yes, I'm right handed! There was a link to a video on BB recently, posted by JustMe, and it was of a mother in the UK who is still BF her 7 year old (may have been 8 year old). I'm not sure how old the footage is but maybe she has a forum or website (given it's so unusual in the western world) and we could email her. The footage was quite amazing and both daughters (I think the younger one self weaned at 5) said how wonderful it tasted, "much better than melons" was the words one used for memory.

    Hmmm, might google her!

    ETA: found the footage again and apparently it's from a 2006 documentary called Extroadinary Breastfeeding http://vodpod.com/watch/932467-breastfeeding-at-8-

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Perth
    3,686

    On second thoughts (after googling about this lady), no, I won't go there!

  3. #3

    Oct 2008
    2,880

    Wow, that is so interesting - about them favouring the side that you write with - my little one TOTALLY favours my right hand side!!!

    Weird huh?

    Anyway, sorry to jump into the thread there!
    Sue x

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    After thinking about this and my own child's preference; when he was attached to my right side that meant that HIS right arm was the free one too (rather than being tucked under) and given that he has grown up to be right handed maybe he just felt more comfortable having his right hand out so that he could fiddle with my shirt etc which is what he did while BFing.

  5. #5
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    Studies show that most women have a better supply/flow on one side or the other. It's most often the right - maybe it's the right-handed thing?

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Perth
    3,686

    It's quite interesting, isn't it! Maybe you're right Bath, maybe it is so they have their dominant hand free too. DD definitely liked the left when she was little and my left produced a lot more milk when expressing too but since she's gotten older, and appears to be favouring her right hand, she has taken a shine for my right breast. Hmmmm

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Sydney
    4,081

    I think we are the exception then.
    My LHS is definitely the preferred option for P and was for N too. I have been exclusively feeding from my LHS for several months now (maybe 6?!?) and I am right handed. I would be surprised if my kids prove to be anything but right-handed also.
    Interesting though.