Alicia, I've also heard of cases of cancer in the breast that is refused.
Not a nice thought, but worth keeping in mind. Of the breastfeeding mothers
I've known to have had cancer, it is stunning how many have had difficulty
getting it diagnosed due to medical myths such as "It can't be cancer
because you're breastfeeding" and "You're too young for it to be cancer".
Generally we find that the more likely possibilities for breast refusal in a
5 month old baby are illness (especially ear or throat infection) or
hormonal changes which cause flavour changes in the milk eg mother about to
ovulate/have a period or has started taking the mini-pill. Even, dare we
raise the thought, that she is pregnant! With just one breast being refused,
it's more likely that the baby has an ear infection and is in
pain/discomfort when lain on his side to feed from that breast.
Let us know the end of this story please, Ginny. Good luck!

Robyn Noble and Anne Bovey, Brisbane, Australia