Is it normal to have a “slacker boob”?
YES! It is very common to have differences in the breastmilk output from your breasts, with most women experiencing more milk output on the right side!
So, why does this happen?
Some women do have anatomical differences in their breasts, and one side may actually have more glandular (milk making) tissue!
If your baby has a side preference when breastfeeding, this has the potential to cause an increase in supply on the preferred side!
Nipples are “sisters” not “twins” and in many women they are different sizes! This may mean they are different flange sizes - something to consider when choosing flange sizes!
If the difference in your “slacker boob” compared to your “supplier boob” is significant and you want to try and “fix” it, here are some tips to try and boost supply on that slacker side:
Note: you still want to provide the same stimulation or milk removal on your “supplier side” so you don’t damage your supply to that side while attempting to increase supply in the slacker, unless your goal is to decrease supply in the supplier while increasing supply in the slacker
Latch baby on the slacker side first.
The beginning of a feeding is typically when baby will be most vigorous at the breast, so starting on this side can provide extra stimulation to boost supply. If you find baby is giving significant less stimulation to your supplier side, you may need to remove milk manually or with a pump so as not to affect supply.
When pumping, pump for a few extra minutes just on the slacker side
To do this you would complete your normal pumping session, and then pump an additional 10-15 minutes on the slacker side. If you are using a double electric pump like the spectra s1/s2 you may need to remove the tubing from the side you will not be pumping on and cover the tubing hole on the pump. You may leak on the side you are not pumping! You can use a breast pad or a letdown catcher like the haakaa ladybug.
Power pump just on the slacker side
Power pumping involves pumping on and off for an hour. This helps mimic what a baby would be doing at the breast if they were demanding more milk: cluster feeding. It doesn’t matter how much you pump during this time, what matters is that you are providing this extra stimulation and telling your body that more milk is being demanded than is being supplied.
How to power pump:
pump normally for 20 minutes
turn the pump off for 10 minutes (leave the pump in place, just turn the machine off!)
turn it back on for 10 minutes
off again for 10 minutes
on for 10
and you’re done!
Use breast compressions while pumping or breastfeeding, focusing on the slacker side
Breast compressions while pumping are easiest done while wearing a pumping bra! While pumping, use your hands to gently compress/massage your breasts. Move you hands around throughout the pumping session, targeting different milk ducts. If you typically use breast compressions while pumping be sure you continue to do them on the “supplier” side, while doing extra on the “slacker” side.
Add an extra pumping session during the day just on the slacker side
You can add an extra pumping session just on the slacker side whenever you have time during the day! Set yourself up to pump just on the one side for 10-15 minutes. Again, if pumping only one side you may need to catch the letdown on your non-pumping side if you start leaking (not everyone leaks but it is very normal!)
It is important to note that having a “slacker side” is NORMAL! It does not need to be “fixed” unless YOU want to fix it.
I actually did an informal poll on Instagram, asking breastfeeding mothers to share if they had a “slacker” boob and if so which side!
Here are the results:
Left: 46%
Right: 52%
They are the same: 2%
Out of 1,076 responses only 2% said their breasts produced the same amount!!
This goes to show how common it is to have a slacker side!!
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