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Subject:
From:
Colleen Humphreys <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 22 Nov 1995 23:14:19 -0500
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>What a coincidence!  I saw a mom in the hospital today--first baby, good
>nipples, baby is nursing pretty well, but mom mentioned that baby seems to
>have some difficulty attaching on the left breast.  I helped her, the baby
>attached with no problems, but in the course of the conversation, she
>mentioned that she had been in a car accident, with trauma to the left chest
>wall--fractured ribs and some back injuries.  No damage to the breast at
all,
>but she has little nipple sensation on the left side.  Do you think she'll
>get enough oxytocin release when she nurses on the right to stimulate and
>maintain adequate let-down on the left?  (I'd think not.)  Should she begin
>all feeds on the right?  Would switch nursing, changing breasts every few
>minutes, be helpful?  What about some type of manual nipple stimulation on
>the right as the baby nurses on the left?  Any ideas, or anyone with
>experience with this?  I've worked with moms who have little or no sensation
>in both breasts, but never just in one.  Thanks for any input.

Many women nurse on both sides, technically, while the vast majority of
milk actually comes from only one side, and there's no problem!  I am a
good example of this.  I've had surgery on both sides, lots of scar
tissue and mastitis, and my kids all preferred the left breast and often
refused the other.  My son currently only takes my right breast about 10%
of the time.  You may want to warn the mom that her damaged side may, not
will, just may, have a lower production, and the baby may prefer the
other, just do what feels right and count wet diapers.  Normal, healthy
babies can often regulate themselves nicely, if we just follow their
lead....A real concern that I would seriously mention would be to watch
for any nipple damage because she may not feel the pain.

Colleen Humphreys

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