I'm 3 weeks PP with LO still in the NICU. I've been pumping with fairly good results as far as total volume considering we just yesterday did our very first breastfeeding.
One thing I've noticed is that my right breast consistently puts out much more than the left. My left breast always feels empty after I pump, and I have no discomfort, so I'm fairly sure it's emptying completely. I know some variation is normal, but to this extent?
pomelo / 5573 posts
With both kids my right has always put out way more than my left. I've never pumped to show amounts like that but it's always noticeably bigger and the kids both spent way longer on the right side.
coconut / 8472 posts
That's normal. For some people one boob consistently makes more. As long as you're pumping to empty you're fine.
cantaloupe / 6086 posts
Mine were like that except the left was the super producer. It must just have more ducts etc because it is also consistently bigger when I am pregnant and it's gearing up! I didn't really notice it when not pumping but I got at least 2x from left when I pumped regularly at work.
nectarine / 2813 posts
Totally normal. You could try pumping an extra 10 minutes on the left side to see if that breast will catch up.
cantaloupe / 6791 posts
Yep, totally normal! With both of my kids, my right side produced twice as much as my left.
kiwi / 578 posts
Normal!!! Once my milk came in, Lefty was literally double the size of Righty. I felt a little self conscious about the difference in size, but DH was the only one that could really tell.
pear / 1728 posts
Totally normal. My right usually produces about twice as much as my left.
nectarine / 2987 posts
Mine looked just like that through the NICU stay, through a year of pumping at home, and through the second baby too. Notmal!
persimmon / 1431 posts
Normal. I'm like that also. One day it even switched up and the side that usually has less had more.
persimmon / 1101 posts
So normal, my left is super boob to the point that I've considered abandoning the right altogether!
cherry / 196 posts
Left side is my stronger boob! Also, my right boob has a super fast letdown - like that side will be fully pumped 1/4 of the way through my pumping session - I'll generally get an ounce more milk from the left side, but it takes three times as long.
pomelo / 5257 posts
Left side is stronger here. I've found that feeding him on the weaker side first has started to make them a bit more even.
grapefruit / 4717 posts
Looks the same here but reversed. Not sure there's anything that can be done to help the lesser catch up? We're 7 mo in.
pear / 1879 posts
Very normal for me too, but on the left! Left boob for the win! I had the same thing happen with LO1 also and it remained like that for the whole year I pumped with him... both of my boys also showed a real preference for the left side. The only sense I can make of that, aside from the fact that I produce more milk on that side usually, is that it's comfier for me to hold the baby on that side so maybe I relax a bit more?
kiwi / 702 posts
Like other said--totally normal. If your boobs are not lopsided or you don't care if they do and you're getting enough total milk while pumping dont' change a thing or worry about it. There are a few tiny things you could try if it bothers you like pumping longer on the small side, having baby feed on the small side first (when they're hungry they'll suck harder and create more milk), using compressions while pumping on the small side, etc. But since everything is still so new for you seriously don't worry. It's amazing you are providing this milk for your DD especially while in the NICU. Good luck with breastfeeding! Great resources here as you continue your journey. Feel free to wall me as well....I did SOOOOO much pumping and had a range of breastfeeding issues with my DD.
pear / 1697 posts
Normal. My under-producer caught up by a little bit when I started always pumping that side a little longer (I'd just keep doing it while I transferred milk from the other side to bags) and always started and ended LO on that side.
nectarine / 2973 posts
Totally normal. My right side produces much more than my left. I do try to make sure I'm nursing and pumping the left side as often as the right because I get pretty lopsided otherwise.
pomegranate / 3658 posts
Normal. I had one superboob, but they did even out eventually. Now I can't even recall which one was the overachiever.
nectarine / 2436 posts
I had the exact same level of slacker boob. Annoying! I did successfully breastfeed til 14 months, still going!
My advice is to build a freezer supply!!
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