?gone off one side

[buggie]

Wondering if the breastfeeding genius's can help me (again)

9wk old E seems to have taken a sudden dislike to one side - she fed fine from there yesterday lunchtime, but both last night and this am she's cried ++ and not latched on (has this am whith a nipple shield)

She latched onto the other side without problem in-between times.

I have noticed that feeding has always been bit more painful on that side and the nipple feels v sensitive after feeding, but no cracking/discharge. Had wondered if it could be thrush but have no probs with other side or noticeable signs in E's mouth (I would guess if it was thrush I'd have it on both sides/E's feeding would be affected with every feed).

Bit happier she latched on with the shield, but thought we'd finally got shot of them (was first time using one in 4 days :( ).

So chaps, any ideas?! x

[pebbles]

buggie - not advice really but i had this with both my little ones and i know a few friends with same problems so i think totally normal.

i made sure i expressed from that boob to keep the milk supply up and i just kept offering it and from memory it lasted a couple of weeks and then with no reason they both started latching on again.

sorry i can't be of more help but wanted to let you know you're not alone

good luck

[ladywotlunches]

Buggie - try holding her in the 'rugby hold' on that side, so it feels to her like she's on the preferred side (if that makes sense!!). It might be she's got a bit of stuffiness in her nose/ears which makes it more uncomfortable on that side for a few days.

[GinaG3]

Hey buggie, glad to see your past your newborn struggles. It can be such a roller coaster, really it can!

I would advise as ladywotlunches that you try the rugby hold on the 'refused' side. There are many reasons for refusing one breast. I'm unsure it would be anything to do with the shield, but worth offering feeds without first. If you aren't already. A lot of babies do this because of fussiness, mine did too. At times there could be actual reasons for the nursing strike to one side. These can include Mastitis, ear infection in the baby, reduced milk supply etc. Does everything seem well with baby? And you? Of course you are in the middle of a growth spurt too, which can bring on a very fussy baby!!

Carry on feeding from the side baby is happy, and keep trying to offer the refused side regularly (before the preferred breast if possible). I would express as often as baby would feed, to keep supply up! It may be that your flow has changed on one side and has become to fast/slow for baby. Try expressing for a minute before offering the breast to get the flow just right.

Don't think there is anything else I can think of right now. Hope this helps at least a tiny bit. :-)

[buggie]

Only used the shield as she'd cried so much trying to latch on, no probs with supply as after feeding expressed 90ml (at same time, don't think she was affected by me being so full - she didn't get near enough latched.)

Tried rugby hold and didn't change her fussing :(

She's been fussy on t'other side with this feed ( typing on phone one handed!) but giving her 1oz expressed seems to have improve her feeding. She had a spurt few wks back, but think somethings afoot as she's suddenly awake much longer and seems to be getting more active everyday!

[Fuschia]

Could just be a growth spurt and she find sletdown on that side to slow?

or the letdown could be too faST, conversely?

[buggie]

hmm... well, just had a good feed from that side - only difference being she'd woken up on her own... this am I'd woken her as was 5hrs since she'd fed... as said she's been changing her sleep/awake patterns and think it's confusing the pair of us!!