Posts

The Over Achiever: When one breast produces more than the other

/0 Comments/in /by

By: Jacque Ordner BSN, RN, IBCLC 

Have you noticed that one of your breasts seems to consistently produce more milk?  If you’re pumping, this may be even more noticeable.  If your baby nurses, you may have noticed that he or she prefers one side or seems to finish nursing on one side much faster than the other.  Rest assured, this is normal!  One study of exclusively pumping mothers found that in 65.7% of pumping sessions observed, the right breast produced at least slightly more milk.  In another similar study, only 2.6% of the exclusively pumping mothers displayed equal pumping output from both breasts.  

Why does this happen? So, we know it’s normal for one breast to produce more or to have a greater pumping output, but WHY? Breasts aren’t typically symmetrical.  Like many other parts of the human body (eyes, hands, feet, ears, etc.) a degree of asymmetry is normal.  This can mean a difference in the amount of milk making tissue (alveoli) or even in the amount and size of milk ducts.  Many times, mothers can readily observe a difference in the size of their breasts and also notice that one commonly feels “fuller” than the other. Other less common reasons for this discrepancy include previous breast surgery and previous injury or trauma to the breast. Rarely, asymmetry is caused by a disorder known as Poland Syndrome.  This syndrome is evidenced by missing or underdeveloped muscle tissue on only one side of the body and often results in one breast being dramatically smaller and less developed than the other. In general, breast asymmetry is completely normal as is having one breast that produces more milk.  We like to call that breast the Over Achiever. 

We’ve compiled a few tips to help “even out” milk output: 

  • If you’re pumping, consider trying different settings to see if each breast responds differently to certain cycles/vacuums.  Once you determine which settings are best for each breast, determine a plan to incorporate these settings into your typical pump session.  For example, some woman report that one breast responds best to Massage Mode (cycle 70) while the other responds well to an Expression Mode cycle.  Moms often have great success with switching between the two modes like the example below: 

            -5 minutes at cycle 70 

            -5 minutes at cycle 54 

            -5 minutes at cycle 70 

            -5 minutes at cycle 38 

*Remember that higher vacuum doesn’t necessarily mean more milk!  We never recommend increasing the vacuum to an uncomfortable level. 

  • Consider adding more stimulation for the lower producing side. If you’re pumping, this can be as simple as starting or ending the pumping session with just a few extra minutes of single pumping on the lower producing side.  If you’re nursing, consider starting sessions on the lower producing breast or adding a few minutes of single pumping on that side after nursing. 
  • Do YOU have a preference? It’s not uncommon for mom to unknowingly develop a preference for feeding from one side over the other.  We often prefer to keep our dominant hand free, and therefore may feed more often or spend more time on the opposite side.  Keeping a simple log of feeding times for each side can help highlight any preferences you might not have noticed otherwise.  
  • Encourage better nursing and greater pumping output with your hands! If baby tends to stop nursing on the less preferred side sooner, consider incorporating breast compressions while nursing. This can help keep the flow a bit faster and more interesting for baby. It can also make milk removal easier. Similarly, Hands On Pumping is a technique that can help elevate your lower producer to Over Achiever status.  Check out this video from Stanford University: https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/maximizing-milk-production.html 
  • Add in hand expression. One breast may give less output because it just doesn’t respond to pumping as well as the other.  Hand Expression is a technique that can help increase pumping output not only for the lower producing breast, but even for the Over Achiever breast as well!  A few ways to incorporate hand expression include in between pumping or nursing sessions, following pumping or nursing sessions, or when you’re running short on time and can’t fit a full pumping session in.  Here’s a link for a fantastic resource on the topic: https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/hand-expressing-milk.html 

Keep in mind that it is normal for one breast to be the over achiever and it’s absolutely ok if you choose to do nothing to even out the supply.  Having a lesser producing breast doesn’t mean there is something wrong, it just means our bodies aren’t perfectly symmetrical! However, if baby consistently fully refuses one breast, if there is a noticeable change in size or shape of only one breast, if there is a lump that doesn’t go away or grows, or if there is a lump that doesn’t move with the breast tissue, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Additionally, if baby seems uncomfortable turning toward one breast or always seems to turn his or her head in the same direction, reach out to your pediatrician for further evaluation for conditions such as torticollis.  Should you desire to bring both breasts to Over Achiever status, incorporating the tips above is a great place to start! 

Keep on keeping on, mamas!  We know you’re doing your very best to provide your babies with the best start and we support you! If you have questions about uneven milk supply or any other breastfeeding related topics, we can help! Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are available for free consultations at www.spectrababyusa.com/lactationservices.  You can also email us at ibclc@spectrababy.com  Happy pumping! 

References 

Engstrom, J. L., Meier, P. P., Jegier, B., Motykowski, J. E., & Zuleger, J. L. (2007). Comparison of Milk Output from the Right and Left Breasts During Simultaneous Pumping in Mothers of Very Low Birthweight Infants. Breastfeeding Medicine, 2(2), 83-91. doi:10.1089/bfm.2006.0019 

Hill, P. D., Aldag, J. C., Zinaman, M., & Chatterton, R. T. (2007). Comparison of Milk Output Between Breasts in Pump-Dependent Mothers. Journal of Human Lactation, 23(4), 333-337. doi:10.1177/0890334407307575 

 

Bereavement Pumping: Our Senior IBCLC’s Journey

/2 Comments/in , , , /by

Bereavement Pumping: Our Senior IBCLC’s Journey
Jenn M. Foster, MA, CD, IBCLC, RLC

It’s been 4 months, nearly 5 months, since we lost our little “dove baby”, Nolan. His birth date was November 2, 2018. Yes, I say “birth date” because he was born. We held him in our arms, loved him and kissed him. My husband, Chris, even wrote him a poem which was read to him with such endearment.

Since his passing, his milk has helped so many babies. His story has touched so many lives, even reaching mothers in the UK!

I have pumped over 450 hours since November 4, 2018. Last week, I shipped 100oz to Mother’s Milk Bank of Florida and donated 400oz to local babies in need.

Yes, I do formal and informal milk donations. Formal milk donations through a milk bank and are provided to fragile babies in the NICU. Other babies in need receive human milk through milk banks that qualify.

For informal milk sharing, I seek to find local mothers in need. I find these mothers in need through Facebook groups, such as Human Milk 4 Human Babies. There is a lot of controversy over informal milk sharing. The controversy lies in the fact that such milk could be donated to milk banks across the country. However, there are babies who aren’t eligible for human milk from milk banks, such as our third (Emery) and fourth (Lincoln) babies.

I used 20% donor milk at breast with an SNS to make up for the supply that I wasn’t able to produce. They were our first little ones after having breast cancer and subsequent surgeries. Despite nursing on demand and pumping after every feeding, I was still only able to produce 80% of their daily intake.

For mothers who choose to obtain milk through informal milk sharing, there needs to be diligence on the mother’s part to ensure that the donor is free of harmful conditions, such as HIV and other illnesses. It’s important for the mothers who donate to follow the HMBANA guidelines to ensure they are healthy to donate the milk that is being shared is safe for ingestion.

Mothers can donate their milk through the Human Milk Bank of North America, by finding a milk bank in need that is within their region of the United States. There is always a need for human milk. In fact, there are measures being taken to ensure that insurance companies, including Medicaid, cover milk from a milk bank in order for NICU babies to have its’ life saving properties.

Now, back to my journey…

Every day, I pump my heart out to store Nolan’s milk. I use a hospital strength breast pump and express every 2 hours. I use a pumping app to track the time I’m pumping and quantity I pump each time. I even have alarms set on my phone to let me know when I need to pump.

I have a special pumping station set up that houses my milk storage bags, extra pump parts, breast pads and breast milk sanitary wipes. I keep my “Nolan Bear” (bear that was next to Nolan after birth at the hospital) next to me for every pumping session. Knowing that he is with me helps when it gets hard, and it is hard!

No one talks about bereavement pumping. It’s something that often isn’t even supported or offered at birth. When in the hospital, not one nurse or IBCLC talked to me about pumping his milk or even what I would do when my milk “came in”. Honestly, I hate when people say “when the milk comes in” because mothers at birth already have the perfect milk: colostrum. So, let’s say “when the milk increases in volume”.

I requested a pump to use at the hospital on November 4, 2019 (two days after his birth due to the trauma I was dealing with from his death). That started my journey of wanting to pump for one year.

Though I know that pumping is healing, it is hard to not have him at breast. Seeing all the posts on Facebook and Instagram of these amazing nursing photos and milestones that friends are experiencing with their newborns is heart wrenching. I want more than anything to have him here with us.

Every pumping allows me to still connect with Nolan. It’s so healing. I’m now looking into providing a webinar on “Bereavement Pumping”! I started a Bereavement Pumping group to find other moms that are on the same journey.

Support Resources:

https://stillbirthday.com/

 

How Do I know If Pumping Is Right For Me?

/0 Comments/in , /by

When breastfeeding and pumping come to mind, the first thought that typically comes to mind is a mama’s return from maternity leave.  If you’re a mom, you know this can be an exciting transition back to some “normalization”; but, it can also be very stressful in trying to coordinate a routine that will keep you and baby on track for feedings.  This is when some peace of mind can be found in choosing the right breast pump. Finding what works best for each mom is simple nowadays with a company like Spectra Baby USA where you can compare and contrast top of the line Spectra models, get your pump covered by your insurance, and talk to certified lactation specialists.

In addition to returning to work, there are several other benefits of investing in a breast pump.  Here are the top reasons that you should consider:

Baby comes earlier than expected and needs to be in the NICU

We all hope this doesn’t happen to us, but if it does it’s great to have a plan in place.  Your baby’s tiny mouth may have trouble latching and need to be supplemented with a bottle, but that doesn’t mean it has to be formula. Did you know that the biology of your breast milk is so powerful that it will be perfectly tailored to your baby no matter when they are born?  Nothing is more therapeutic for these little rock stars than their mother’s own milk. Plus, once baby gets to come home you will already have a steady supply of milk!

For NICU mothers, it is very important to use a hospital-strength breast pump of 250mmHg or higher. All of our Spectra breast pumps are this strength or higher; so, rest assured that we have the pump you need!

Birthing was harder than expected on mom and/or baby

Whether there were complications, you and baby are having a hard time recovering from interventions or you’re simply exhausted it can be a struggle to get your milk supply initiated.  Those first few hours and days after birth are crucial for promoting milk production. If baby isn’t up for feeding yet, the good news is that a Spectra breast pump can mimic a baby’s suckle and promote milk production.  This knowledge can be a great relief and decrease your stress levels, another important aspect of breastfeeding!

Baby refuses the breast

This can be disheartening but, sometimes baby simply won’t accept the breast (before completely giving up request a lactation consultation with Spectra Baby USA here.  This doesn’t mean that you have to throw breastfeeding completely out the window.  Your bundle of joy can still reap all the benefits of your milk by sticking to a pumping schedule!

Issues with engorgement making it hard for baby to feed

This is a fairly common issue with breastfeeding, especially for first moms.  Baby is usually the best treatment as frequent removal of milk can help with the engorgement and ensure an adequate milk supply.  However, if you’re too engorged or sore for a proper latch a pump will definitely help to soften the breast prior to feeding. Just be careful to not pump more than a few minutes and then, offer the breast to baby.

You need an increase in milk supply

Increasing milk supply is best when planned for morning time or late evening hours when the breastfeeding hormone prolactin is at its highest.  Supplementing between feeds (or, within one hour of offering breast to baby) with a pump will promote increased supply if you feel you need a boost for your growing hungry babe.

You need rest or extended “me” time

Depending on how often your baby feeds, it may seem impossible to get out of the house without baby. Having stored milk means a significant other, grandma or trusted babysitter can stay home with baby and allow you to sleep, shop, or do whatever your heart desires without a baby attached to your boob. Just ensure that you are removing milk at the same time that baby is getting a bottle of your expressed milk; you don’t want to go longer than 4 hours without removing your milk.  Some personal space is what every mom needs from time to time to help them maintain some sanity!

As a new mother or a mother returning to the starting line, there is plenty of learning and adapting going on as you care for and love a tiny human. Don’t let the stress of whether you can effectively breastfeed be piled onto your list of duties.  If any of these apply to you, a pump from Spectra Baby USA will be a great addition to your pumping station for helping your little one thrive.

Shop our pumps now!

If you’re already a Spectra user, we would love to hear about your journey in our comments below.

Did you miss our live Q&A? No worries:

© 2025 Spectra Baby USA. All rights reserved. Not for reproduction or redistribution without permission.