Breastfeeding: Is It Possible for One Breast to Stop Producing Milk??

I have noticed that with my right. My DD is now 11 months, and my right is about 1/2 the size of my left (I just triple up on nursing pads to 'even them out' lol) It sucks. It DOES still produce, but not much at all. I have tried a few things, but so far the only thing that helps is to start her on that side, then switch her... then when she slows to the 'almost done' part of nursing, I switch her back. Lol. I tried pumping between feedings on only that side, and it did help some, but not enough to make it worth my time.

Since your baby is so young, I would recommend to PUMP PUMP PUMP and NURSE NURSE NURSE!! Nurse/pump more on the side you feel 'empty'. The more demand, the more you'll supply :) Congrats on the newbie!

But to answer your question, yes, you can just dry up. This happened to me THREE TIMES... and nothing (not even with my LCs) could fix it :( It was almost my bodys way of telling me 'enough already!!'... I got REEEALLY sick each time, and even though I did everything right, my body was just DONE.

I doubt this is the case for you though :) Keep it up mama!! Consult a lactation consultant; they're life savers :)

This can happen. My left breast stopped producing, but at about month eight or nine, I believe. I had to wear stretchy bras from then on to accomodate the different sizes.

This early in, I would nurse and pump extra on that side to see if you can increase the production. If not, one breast can feed a baby just fine. Moms who only have one due to surgery have done it.

Just watch, my son prefers my right and it's easier for me, and because it feels fuller more often, I forget and just out him on my right. All that being said we are 4.5 months into this and I have very uneven production. It's not a big deal but we did hit a growth spurt and my left side just couldn't keep up and it was a rough week but all in all it's not something to stress over.

Just be sure to switch back and forth and always start on the opposite breast from the last feeding in order to help keep up equal production in both.

It is common for the "full" feeling to wane. This does not mean you are not producing milk. Also, it is common for one side to produce more than the other.

If you have concerns, you could always try pumping to get an idea what is being produced (although remember that Baby is much more efficient than any pump could be).

You could try increasing your milk production by pumping between sessions. Be sure you are staying hydrated too. This is so important for Mama. Check out: http://www.gotbreastpump.com/ for other tips and ideas about sustaining your milk supply.

Good luck.
~C.

I was shocked to hear not only is it common but it happens to almost everybody according to the lactation specialist/nurse. My son favored the left and the right produced a LOT less. Either way we bf for just over two years. He loved breastfeeding! No self weaning here.

I had a lower-producing side, and I know people who nursed one side only, but it can be done. It may also be that the left got the memo and is evening out and the right is overproducing. I'd keep nursing both sides for now. Your child's behavior and output will tell you a lot about her input. You can nurse both sides if she starts on the left.