Favourite Side
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=31412
Printed Date: 29 August 2025 at 5:15pm
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Topic: Favourite Side
Posted By: RinTinTin
Subject: Favourite Side
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 2:50pm
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Ok so Mac is 8 weeks old, and fully BF. In the last few weeks he's started favouring a side. Normally when I feed, it's feed one side, change, offer the other side. I have also tried feeding just one side for both halves of a feed but that isn't working either. If I feed right side first, left side second, we have no issues BUT, if I go left side first, right side second, then we got a war on our hands. Mac will squirm, scream, scratch, pinch and punch if I ever try to give him the right side second. I've ended up feeding him right to left at night and publically (well you know, when we're out and about) to avoid being beaten up at 3am or publically. Or I just give him the left side for the whole feed. I am aware that he's not hurting me on purpose, I'm trying to figure out WHY he's kicking up so much of a stink on this side. It's almost like he's uncomfortable or in pain but why? It's not Reflux cause he'd do it on both sides wouldn't he? Plus he doesn't have the normal acid breath that comes with Reflux. Although he does have some reflux, it only appears every now and then and not that bad. This has kind of come out more as a rant than anything but if anyone has any sugestions as to why and what I can do, please share. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 3:45pm
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Could you get his ears checked?
My girl always favours one side (the side varies but she will demand to be fed from the side she wants). It's just one of those things. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 4:04pm
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Could he be getting more from the left side and not needing the second side....??? I have no clue really, its been a while. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 4:11pm
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Could you try feeding in rugby hold on the *bad* side? That way, if he still fusses, you'll know he has an issue with the breast, whereas if he doesn't, you'll know he's got an issue with lying on that side? If it seems to be an issue with lying on that side, does he fuss if you rugby hold him on the *good* breast?
I'm not sure what you'd do once you've figured out whats bothering him, but that might help you at least get that far 
C doesn't always like being flipped over mid-feed, so I make sure she's burped really good between boobs, or feed the second side rugby hold. I think for her its just wind though. She doesn't seem to mind which side I start with. You've already been to an osteo haven't you? ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 4:19pm
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Oh good idea T_Rex. Will try that rugby hold next time and see what happens. FreeSpirit - Why do you say ears? Like an infection? Not that I'm doubting the suggestion but would like to know the reasoning behind it to see if I can discount it or if I really should get his ears checked. His hearing is fine I know that much. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 4:20pm
I wouldn't think so cause if he fusses at the right side and cries, I'll try back on the left side and he'll latch straight on with no issues and feed for a decent amount of time. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Daizy wrote:Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 4:28pm
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Sometimes if they have a minor infection or fluid build up laying on that side causes them discomfort. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 4:41pm
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Ok. Will keep that in mind. But in saying that, he's happy to feed that side if I offer that side first. I'm confused  Weird baby!  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mumzrule
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 9:50pm
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Hope that this is a short term problem for you. I can not really offer any advice but your story sounds identical to what Willow did.
At 8weeks she decided that left was best and would only take the right if offered first or middle of the night. Unfortunity (sp?) for me by 10weeks she would scream and ache her back to both sides. It didn't matter which side, how I held her. Also by 10weeks she was going 8-10.5hours at night with no wet nappies so we started formula top up. By 12weeks it was really starting to get to me emotionally as I had feed Lilly for 13months and had good intentions of doing the same for Willow but she had different ideas. I would speck to plunket if he starts to get worst. Hopefully they have better advice in your area than they do here. They told me to make Willow go hungry until she would take me. The one night I try this I ended up giving in and gave her a bottle ... she drank 210mls!!! Best of luck and I hope things improve. -------------  
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 9:58pm
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Both my girls have favoured my left side. My first stopped feeding from the right breast at around 11 months even though she was still bf until 14 months. I'm not sure what it is. I have historically had an issue with lumps / cysts in the right breast so perhaps the flow is different, I'm not sure.
At times with dd2 I have to use the football hold on the right side but other times she is ok with the standard cradle hold. I no longer ever get "full" on the right so I am a bit lop-sided but not enough to anyone but me to notice. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 9:59pm
Ditto to that. I had a 'duff' side (my left) and feeding him in 'rugby' hold was the only way he'd feed off that side for ages. Then one day, as quickly as he started getting "fussy' he stopped. LOL They like to keep us guessing I reckon. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peachy
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:01pm
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We had the same problem here and I just battled with it and we soon got over it.
Do you feel more comfortable feeding one side over the other? Reason I ask is, I preferred feeding from my left breast and found it awkward to feed with my right breast, which in turn made Lauren a terrible feeder from my right breast! I managed to BF for nearly 8 months, so we got there in the end! Food for thought anyway. I would definately try different holds, even try lying down. I used to do the night feeds lying down so I could still get some rest while she fed. Hope it settles for you soon! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:10pm
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I'm definately more comfy feeding from my left side. Don't really know why as I am right handed. I get a bit awkward trying to latch him onto my right side, maybe cause I'm using my left arm to hold him up??? Anyways, will try different holds. Can anyone recommend a website or something to show me how to feed laying down. I managed to do it once when he was about 2 weeks old but I'm sure it was a fluke cause I can't seem to get it to happen again. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: peachy
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:24pm
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Not too sure of any websites, but as with everything, the more you do it the easier it gets! I used to lay on the bed, latch her on and then get myself into a good position. I always layed the arm closest to the bed straight up flat on the bed and rested my head on it, the other arm I used to craddle her with or just let it hang lay on my body.
Also not sure if you are willing to give this a go, but I occassionally used nipple shields if Lauren coudn't get a good latch or she was fussing with my right side. Nipple shields encourage a good let down and are easier for them to latch. Some people don't agree with the shields, but in my case they were what got me through some really tough days of BF in those first few months! Thanks to my MW she encouraged me to use them! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: peachy
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:26pm
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Oh and I am right handed too, yet preferred my left side....weird huh! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:34pm
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http://www.ehow.com/how_2074806_breastfeed-lying-down.html - Here is one to tell you how and http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-do-i-hold-thee-positions-and-tips-for-making-breastfeedi_8784.bc - another one that might be helpful.
For the feeding lying down that is. LOL ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:35pm
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The chances are that the side that he fusses on doesn't have as good a let down than the other? I am lopsided for this very reason. He's happy when given the slow side first but always finished on the good side. If I feed the good side he never takes the slow side.
Lying down just lie him close to your breast. & you can support your head on your arm or pillow. You might find he self latches or you might need to use your top arm to help put your boob in his mouth. I used to bring my knees up to sorta spoon around & also just incase bubs decided to squirm down the bed. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 11:07pm
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Yep you are more comfortable feeding him on your left because you are using your right hand to hold which is your dominant and stronger arm. I was the same in the early days. My left is the slower side, have never been able to get as much out when pumping as I can on the right. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 11:42pm
| Im lopsided too, if we are lying in bed and i try and offer lefty first he will climb over me and go for old faithful. Was the same back in the early days, he would feed great off one side but not poor lefty :P |
Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 2:39pm
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I don't have much else to add, but Jamie is exactly the same except it's my left side he prefers and my right side not so much. If I feed left side first and then right side he goes nuts, scratching, squirming, pulling off and screaming, but he's fine on the right side. If I feed him from my bad side first (right) when he's really hungry, he feeds really well and then I change him and feed him the other side, but if I feed him from the good side first, then try the other side he is NOT impressed, no idea why.
He doesn't have reflux or anything, but my right nipple is slightly inverted which is weird, and it also has a faster letdown than the other one, but he certainly prefers the other side. |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 2:59pm
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Favouring a side is very common you might just have an extra stubborn baby lol. If he doesn't want to feed off the 'wrong' side first there is no real harm in letting him always feed off the 'good' side first but be aware you will most likely end up with more milk in that boob. Most women do end up with lopsided boobs from breastfeeding and they will go back to normal once you finish.
Caprece fed entirely off one side for the last 6 months of our breastfeeding time and there was enough for her (in saying that she was 13 months when she gave up the crappy side). So yeah try and trick him into having the bad side first every now and then but don't stress too much if its not happening. |
Posted By: myonlineself
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:42am
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Wow - its so reassuring to read that the side issues are so common.
I have taken to giving the 'bad' side first to make sure it keeps the milk supply up, as the other side is always much fuller and has a better let down. She won't take my left side if its offered second - I prefer to feed on the left side these days, but I think she prefers the right because we had issues on the left early on (with a horrible nipple fissure, so I hated feeding on that side and was very tense due to the pain, and probably offered the right one as much as possible). I am now almost a cup size different - with the left being about a C and the left closer to a D, oh well ;-) Teyla fusses and complains and does the pinching and punching and scratching and nipple tugging after 5-10 minutes on the left as I think the flow gets too slow, as she's back into gulping it down happily as soon as I switch her to the right. Anyway - that's my experience of 'sidedness'! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 12:32pm
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Not sure if the let down is any better or worse in either side. Accidently squirted him in the eye with the "non fave" boob the other day. Let down seems fine there... Oh well at least I know it's normal and can work with it rather than worry. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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