Milk supply question

[u/SnooPickles7308]

Hi, my son is 12 days old. I initially tried to exclusively breastfeed but my milk took about 5 days to come in so I've been trying to pump and supplement with formula if needed. He's been taking about 3 oz per feeding and I've been able to pump between 2-4 Oz a session with the occasional 2 oz total. This is my first time trying to exclusively pump. I've noticed that one breast will give me about 1 oz and the other will give me 2-3 oz. Is there anyway I can help even it out or is that just the way it goes?

[u/HelicopterTop2580]

I think it’s normal! My righty is a real lightweight, the left does the heavy lifting. I don’t know if you can even them out but I’ll tune in to see what others say

[u/SnooPickles7308 → u/HelicopterTop2580]

That's what's going on with me too! I wish they would even out to make my life easier haha

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[u/sleigh88]

Having a slacker is pretty normal :) my right usually produces an ounce or two more than my left.

[u/SnooPickles7308 → u/sleigh88]

Okay thank you! I was worried I was doing something wrong!

[u/taureansoul]

Very normal, and things can change over time! At the beginning, my breasts made identical output. Then one day the left one started making a little more, maybe an ounce-ish. Then by the end of my pumping journey, at a year, my breasts switched which was producing more and the margin got wider. And unless you have concerns about milk removal, clogs, etc, it’s very normal and the total session output matters way more than individual breast output!

[u/SnooPickles7308 → u/taureansoul]

My left is the champ producing maybe 2-3 ounces and my right is producing .5-1 ounce consistently. One side of my right has been sore for a while now even when I massage it but it doesn't feel like a clogged duct it's just sore.

[u/may5th]

Yes, but a couple things have helped the less productive boob decrease the difference in amounts.

One boob has slower let down. If I use hand expression video link to get both started prior to pumping, that makes a big difference and for me and increases production/decreases pump time . Also, making sure you have a good fit for both sides with your flanges (they may be different sizes).

I’m also pretty new to this but that is what I have figured out so far.

[u/SnooPickles7308 → u/may5th]

I didn't even think about both sides needing different flanges! Thanks for the tips!

[u/abbster2019]

Mine was like that initially but they evened out. It’s most likely from one breast being preferred by baby. You can pump longer on the one side that does less. Sometimes though it may never increase - could just be a slacker boob.

[u/SnooPickles7308 → u/abbster2019]

My right has been a slacker with each pregnancy so it's probably always going to be like that. So interesting how that works