Dear Erika,

Milk from a breast which is involuting or "drying up" will have a higher
salt content, thus leading to the taste problem.  This can also happen in
cases of mastitis.  In hindsight, you have probably already concluded
that using different positions is much less of a nuisance, in the long
run, than having to nurse on one side only.  With a baby this age, I
don't know how long it would take to rebuild a milk supply on the right
side with regular pumping.  At some point, at least the taste may begin
to change and with some good positioning, he could start nursing again
comfortably on that side.

Another possibility to consider, although uncommon, is that there is
something wrong with that breast. From BAB, "Goldsmith (1974) documented
the cases of five breastfeeding mothers whose babies suddenly rejected
one breast, and weeks or months later a mass was found that proved to be
malignant."  It is something to consider, although much more likely,
especially at that age, is a one-sided nursing strike, for whatever
reason.

Persistance and creative positioning should rule the day.  Don't pressure
your son to take that side, but continue to offer it, with skin-to-skin
(perhaps in the tub or while walking around) in a position which seemed
comfortable to him back when he was nursing on that side.  Some one-sided
nursers can be fooled by a mom shifting from a cradle hold on the left
breast to a side or football hold on the right (or vice-versa) - that way
the orientation of the head does not change very much.  Be patient and
you may be surprised on day to have your son latch on as if nothing bad
had ever happened.

If there is a LLL group near you, I would encourage you to attend.  They
can give great support during a nursing strike and probably give you some
good tips, too.

Sharon Knorr (who is tired of reading and writing now, and will go to
bed)
Lactation Consultant Services
Rochester, New York
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