Okay to only nurse on one boob while other nipple heals?

Question

My LO has done such a great job on my right boob - latches perfectly every single time (Knock on wood!). However, the left side is a mess. My nipple doesn’t protrude as much so we have more difficulty latching which has caused some serious nipple damage. Once he latches, all is well but it takes some very painful attempts to get there. Can I feed on the right boob for a little while to heal the left boob as long as I self express enough?

Answer

You would need to pump to compensate for not nursing on that breast, otherwise you could risk losing your supply on that side. Depending on how much damage is done, it may just be worth it. You can try to re-up your supply once healed & your right will just make more than your left for a while. You could also try a nipple shield on your left. Sometimes that helps. Good luck! It does get better, I promise!

Answer

Yes but pump the left side. You need to keep up with it just as if baby was still nursing. I had to do this with my first baby. I pumped during the day and directly fed at night. Didn’t take long before I was able to stop pumping and get him back on the breast. Use lanolin to help. And make sure baby is latching as well as possible when you directly nurse

Answer

Don’t do it.  Use both and fight through the pain.  I have a super boob now because I babied the other one because it was so sore in the beginning.  I’ll get 6-7 oz out of my right and 2-3 oz from the left now.  And my right boob often falls out of my bra cup. 😂

Okay to only nurse on one boob while other nipple heals?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey