Help - refusing one breast!

[rosebaby]

Hi

My 10 week old DS has suddenly taken to pulling himself repeatedly off my left breast! It's happened three times in a row now and I'm getting nervous and worried. He's usually the most voracious eater and is still completely draining the right one, but something's bugging him with the left. I'm concerned that a) he's not getting enough food (I'm pretty sure I've just put him back to bed still hungry-ish) and b) that I'll get mastitis or the milk will dry up from that breast.

I've just expressed everything I had in there and thrown it away in the hope it just tasted bad for some reason, and I'm yet to try him on it again. Do you know why this could be happening?

Thank you!

rosebaby

[Pinky McKay]

Hi Rosebaby,
Sorry I seem to have missed this posting. Your baby's refusal of one breast is more likely to be a'baby' problem' than a problem with your milk on that side: for instance, he may feel uncomfortable nursing on that side due to something such as a sore ear, or after immunisations some babies feel sore when held in positions that cause pressure to injection sites.

You can try holding your baby in different positions - ie a football hold so he is in a similar position to when he feeds from the other side. If he persists in breast refusal from one side, please have your baby checked and also have your breasts checked to make sure all is well.

If your baby isnt draining the breast he is refusing, it is wise to express after feeds to avoid complications such as mastitis and also to keep your milk supply stimulated.

Pinky