> ----------
> From:         Johnson, Martha (PHMG)
> Sent:         Tuesday, September 29, 1998 10:03 AM
> To:   'Val Best RN RM IBCLC'
> Subject:      RE: unilateral feeding - what age?
>
> dear Val:
> Absolutely, your mom can feed her baby from just one breast.  I've worked
> with several women who resorted to this for various reasons, most
> memorably a woman with bilateral inverted nipples.  One side everted
> pretty well, the other one never really came out enough for a decent
> latch. During her 1st lactation, we worked on the more difficult side for
> a month or so before she made the decision to just use the easy nipple,
> and let the other breast dry up.  With her 2nd and 3rd babies, she just
> used the side that had been trouble free the 1st time.  Nursed all babies
> over a year, all gained well, no supplements were needed.  Good luck!
> Martha Johnson RN IBCLC, Eugene, Oregon USA
>
> ----------
> From:         Val Best RN RM IBCLC[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:         Tuesday, September 29, 1998 2:11 AM
> Subject:      unilateral feeding - what age?
>
> I am seeing a Mum with her second baby now aged 7 weeks.  First
> child fed for 12 months, no problems.  This baby is very "windy",
> cries a lot, fusses at the breast, mum has an oversupply problem,
> coping well with all things.  BUT, baby only feeds well from one
> side, perfectly attatched, the other side, a disaster, still bleeding
> nipples at this stage.  We keep working on attatchment, have a few
> days of success, then regression again.  My feeling is that baby
> and Mum favour feeding from the left breast and the right one is just
> not working for them.  She rang this morning and said she was
> seriously contemplating bottle feeding.  I have therefore suggested
> that she rest the nipple for 24-48 hours and then we can reassess
> her feelings and attatchment.  The baby is satisfied feeding off one
> breast only so that is not a problem.  What I am wondering is,
> rather than her bottle feeding, can she at 7 weeks just feed from
> one breast.  I know of this been done sucessfully at 6 months or
> later, but not this early and would like to know of others
> experiences in this department.
> Val in Busselton, Western Australia
> RN RM IBCLC
>
>