Q: I am breastfeeding my 2 month old and I have more on my right than my left. What can I do?! The same thing happened with my 3 year old 2 years ago and I had lopsided breasts for the time that I was breastfeeding.

A: Yours is a relatively common concern. There are several reasons a baby might favor one breast. If it happens from birth, it’s important to rule out medical causes for favoring one side, like an ear infection or birth trauma. Similarly, if a baby suddenly refuses one side after nursing equally well on both sides, it’s a good idea for both mother and baby to see the doctor. We can rule those situations out since both your children have preferred one side.

It’s possible for a mother to have a flat or inverted nipple on one side but not the other, making it easier for the baby to nurse on one side. Such a mother could attempt to draw out the nipple.

It’s also possible for a mother’s milk to let-down faster on one side, making the baby favor that side as the easiest way to get milk. At the same time, if the let-down is too forceful on one side, the baby may reject that side. In either case, it may be helpful to get the milk to let-down through pumping or hand-expressing before putting the baby to the less favored breast.

One side may produce less milk due to a smaller number of milk ducts on that side, either as a simple fact of anatomy or as a result of injury or surgery on that side. Unfortunately, the problem can be self-fulfilling. If the baby prefers to nurse on one side, that side may continue to produce more milk and the other side may continue to produce less.

It’s not necessary to do anything to correct the lopsidedness unless you are bothered by it. In fact, it’s possible to nurse a baby on one side alone.

There are several things to try if you are concerned. Try offering the less favored side first at each feeding (if let-down is the problem, then you can start nursing on the favored side, then gently break the latch and slide the baby to the other side after let-down). It may help to offer that side when the baby is sleepy, or while you are walking or rocking to distract the baby. Try various positions and consider nursing in a darkened room. It may take time, so be patient. While you are working to increase supply on the less favored side, make sure to continue to nurse or express often enough on the favored side so that you do not become engorged or develop a plugged duct or mastitis.

Has anyone else had experience with one side producing more milk? What did you do, if anything?

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