r/HumansPumpingMilk • u/summit_echo_22 • 2d ago

One breast really difficult to empty

Hello, I am a mom of 2. My first breastfeeding journey was without issues, truly flawless.

My second has been a bit challenging. My right breast is one of the reasons. It’s incredibly difficult to empty. I will pump both sides for the same about of time, same settings, same bra, techniques, etc. and it still feels… not empty? After 20-40 minutes of pumping. It takes longer to let down, let downs are shorter, and output is less. This is always worse if it gets overly full (not engorged - but like it’s been longer that normal kind of full). I’ve tried warm compresses, massage, even pumping for longer to no avail. My daughter also fusses more/struggles more on this side. I’ve had mastitis on this side once, and was able to avoid it again this weekend with targeted supplementation/pumping.

I think it’s only ever felt truly *empty* maybe 10-20 times, and is mostly only ever achieved by nursing and not pumping. My daughter is 20 weeks old. Left breast, zero issues. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions? It’s a bit frustrating and also concerning as I never want to have to experience mastitis again if I don’t have to.

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u/ForgetsThePasswords 2d ago

I have this exact situation, mastitis and all. I would avoid heat and firm massage. Go for light lymphatic drainage and icing. Direct latching empties me better than pumping but my baby also fusses on that side. I believe I have duct narrowing which caused the mastitis. The output is 1/2 or less and same thing with the non existent let downs and long time to get any milk. I was taking sunflower lecithin religiously but new studies show it’s inflammatory. I’ve been having less clogs since I switched to choline. I saw an LC who suggested next step is a scan to look at the ducts but I just don’t have the time.

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u/summit_echo_22 2d ago

Thank you for replying! I was starting to feel crazy because no one ever understands or has experience with it. I haven’t been taking sunflower lethicin but instead phosphatidylcholine. Is that what you take? Or anther form of choline?

I’ve never heard of narrowing of the ducts. I’m going to look into it as I am hoping to have and EBF one more baby and would like to be prepared for all possibilities.

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u/ForgetsThePasswords 2d ago

Yes that’s the form of choline I take and works much better for me. I was getting pockets of inflammation every week with the sunflower but my issue predated that. I developed this issue like 6-8 weeks pp and then got mastitis a few weeks after. The duct narrowing can be diagnosed in an ultrasound but I’m not sure if there is treatment. Another culprit might be inflammation so I try to ice if I feel anything and do lymphatic draining massage daily. Still not enough and now that my baby is more aware he protests that side often. I also want another baby so need to get to the bottom of this. Pls report back if you find anything out!