Milk supply lopsided after pumping one side only

QUESTION: I took my baby off one side because of a cracked nipple for several weeks and pumped the sore side. Now he's back to nursing both sides, but my milk supply is less on the side I was pumping. I can see a difference in the breast. Will it even out in time? If so how long? Is there something I can do about it? Thank you for your help
 

Now you know why we always say that there is no better breast pump than your own baby! If your baby is nursing again at the breast then, yes, your supply should go back up. You didn't say what type pump you were using. Some pumps are better than others. But even the best pump is not going to do as good a job as a baby. Most likely what happened is that the other side just began making more milk. Mother Nature knows how to take care of things. But you can help increase the supply by allowing your baby to start on that side each time for a couple days. Pumping after feeding (with a good quality pump) can also help. It does not matter if you get any milk out or not. It's the stimulation that helps.

Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL

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