Only One Breast Producing

i'm guessing you'll get more helpful advice, but i saw no one had responded yet.

things like drinking tons of water, eating oatmeal, eating lactation cookies (you'll be able to find a recipe online & they are heavenly... seriously!), block feeding, feeding on demand might help up your supply. pump output is never a good indication of supply because your baby is always more efficient. if those things don't work, you could try mother's milk tea (i've heard it tastes terrible, but works) or other supplements like fenugreek or domperidone that have been shown to increase supply.

good luck!
J.
mom to chase (almost 4) & "sunny" due 6.2.08

Hi there. I too was having problems with one side producing way more - about twice as much as the other. There were times where I'd run completely dry and still have a hungry baby! I talked to my Pediatrician about it and he recommended an herbal supplement called Fenugreek. I started taking it 3 times a day and it increased my supply nicely to where I get 10-14 ounces per day with 3 pumping sessions while I'm at work. Then when I'm home in the evening I breast feed 3-4 times. I can now keep up with my little guy who is now 4 months. I also found out that working out can decrease your milk supply. I don't recall what the hormone is but when you work out it incrases the production of the hormone which affects your supply. So, if you are working out, or thinking about it you may want to hold off for a bit. Good luck!

It doesn't matter how much you pump out of your breast, your baby can get way more out, up to 4 more oz out than any pump. I had only one breast taht responded to the pump, the other did not. However your milk supply is fine. Just keep nursing, alternating sides for each feeding, and letting her nurse as long as she wants.

If you feel you want ot up your supply, add a bowl of oatmeal to your diet. One bowl a day is all it takes. Also drink water to thirst, and just nurse her when she is hungry. Your body will keep up. THough that breast doesn't seem full,i ts still producing. My 'slow' breast never felt full eitehr, but it had plenty of milk. Can't go on how it feels or how much yuou can pump. Let your baby nurse, nurse only one breast per feeding, and let her nurse as long as she wants. :)

I had this same problem! Unfortunately, I ended up just giving up on breastfeeding after 3 months because of it. You can try "mothers milk" tea and I've also had people swear that drinking beer will help. Other than that, I'd just keep up the pumping and feeding your baby off that side first. Good luck!

I had this exact thing happen to me. I checked with my doctor because I thought it might indicate a health problem with me. I guess it is quite common. I tried everything that you said to try and start it up again, but to no avail when I was nursing my daughter. I am now nursing a son and his demand is so much more it hasn't happened yet, but I still call it my low flow boob. It produces less and comes out slower. At least I'm not so lopsided this time. From the beginning with my son I have started every feeding on the low flow boob, and after he has emptied that side I move him to the other. When he starts solids and doesn't require as much milk I expect low flow to fail. I think the reason you gave out earlier this time is because you had a girl who doesn't require as much milk. Sorry I don't have a solution for you. I think it's just how we're made.