Breast Preference
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23258
Printed Date: 11 September 2025 at 5:06pm
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Topic: Breast Preference
Posted By: KiwiL
Subject: Breast Preference
Date Posted: 20 December 2008 at 11:40pm
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I know some babies can prefer one side over the other, but what are some of the things that can cause this?
In the last week or so, Jackson has decided he dislikes my left boobie. If I start him on that side he will drink for a few minutes and then protest until I swap him to the right. And if I start him on the right, he will fuss and complain when I try to put him on the left. I can already feel my supply starting to suffer on the left, so would like some tips if possible on what I can do to help!! |
Replies:
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 21 December 2008 at 9:45am
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There's a whole heap of things.
- I think I must sit subtly different so I'm more relaxed when he's on the right. - I think partly it might be psychological - I expect there to be less on the left and so there is IYKWIM - My midwife told me about the way the stomach is shaped: 
if they're tipped onto their left (your right boob) then whatever's in their stomach sits in the 'fundus' and body of the stomach, but if you tip them on their right (your left boob) it's against the stomach valve, and if they're even slightly refluxy - apparently lots of babies have a slight degree of it - then it's more likely to head back up the oesophagus and cause bubs discomfort. If it's that, then you can fix it by using the football hold or a more upright position to feed him on that boob 
ETA: as usual http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/lopsided.html - kellymom has lots of useful info on the subject... ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 December 2008 at 11:45am
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Lil miss was a really fussy feeder on my left hand side for ages. She would only feed off it if I had her 100% correctly positioned which involved using a pillow to support her. It meant that when we were out I had to feed her only off the right side coz she flatly refused to take the left. I remember at the gremlins birthday party she wouldn't take the left no matter how much I tried, we were out most of the day and by the time I got home I was bursting out of my bra and in agony from being so engorged on that side.
She has gotten over it tho as she's gotten older. I still try and organise her feeds so that she feeds on the right when we're out but that's coz I still have a nasty crack and some dermatitis on the left so it hurts like a bugger to feed her on that side. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: FionaO
Date Posted: 21 December 2008 at 5:19pm
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Finley hated the right for a long time - no idea why.
a lady at my ante natal group said her wee one screamed and fussed on one side and an Osteopath corrected it for her. Not sure if that helps as you are already seeing an osteo but you could mention it to them. ------------- 
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Posted By: scribe
Date Posted: 21 December 2008 at 7:43pm
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I must look totally lopsided - Clara s the right side! I always alternate between sides and she'll usually have a good suck on the right side, but pulls off the left side much earlier. If she's particularly refluxy, she'll even refuse the left side altogether - I try to make sure it's the right side's "turn" when we're out in public! Thanks for the explanation Weegee - I always suspected it was something to do with reflux.
You could try expressing off the left side, but I find (although I'm a few months down the track from you) that I can only express a small amount from the left side, and heaps from the right). I'm going to try a few osteo visits in the New Year. |