Yes! Uneven Breasts When Breastfeeding CAN Be Fixed!
What are lopsided or uneven breasts? Some babies play favorites with breasts. As a result, you may notice that one starts to look more lopsided than the other. But a breast that’s skimped on can become skimpier in milk production, which means there’s even less for your baby to snack on.
What causes uneven milk supply? There are many potential reasons why one breast produces less milk than the other, which is usually completely normal! these are some of the most common reasons that one breast produces more milk than the other:
- Milk-making tissue
It’s common for moms to have different amounts of milk-making tissue and different-sized milk ducts in each breast, so one breast naturally produces more than the other.
- Differences in letdown
It’s possible to have one breast with a more or less forceful letdown than the other. A forceful letdown could cause your baby to pull away from the breast and prefer the other side, causing an uneven milk supply. When that happens, a less forceful letdown could be frustrating for a hungry belly.
- Baby’s preference
It’s not uncommon to find that a baby latches better on one side or that your little one prefers one breast over the other. It may be more comfortable or easier for them to latch. If you think there is a physical reason your infant seems to prefer one side, ask your doctor to do a thorough physical exam to check for birth injuries or an ear infection that could cause your baby to reject certain nursing positions or prefer a particular breast.
- Mom’s preference
Many moms unknowingly prefer feeding from one breast and spend more time nursing on that side, causing an uneven supply of milk as they do.
- Previous breast trauma
If you’ve had breast surgery or an injury to your breast tissue, your supply could be affected.
How to fix uneven breasts when breastfeeding: You can try to offer your baby the less-favored side first at every feeding. (Your baby may or may not take the bait — once a favorite, it tends to always be a favorite.) You can also try pumping on that one side daily. Will uneven breasts even out after breastfeeding? The good news is once you wean, the lopsidedness should go away.
