Is This Normal With A Slacker Side? (Advice From 8 Moms)

You might be wondering if your pumping output is normal if you have a slacker side. It can be concerning if you suddenly start to pump less milk on one side of your chest. 

You might also be wondering how you can increase the number of ounces you pump on that side so you can provide enough milk for your baby.

Here are my thoughts along with advice from 8 real moms.

One of my followers asked this question:

“Is this big of a difference normal with a slacker boob? I pumped 11 ounces on the right side and 4 ounces on the left side. 

I am fighting a clog on the slacker side so I’m sure that contributes somewhat but this seems excessive. With my first babe each side was always within ¼ of an ounce of one another, so this is new to me.”

What Is A “Slacker” Side?

If you are new to pumping, you might realize that one side produces more milk than your other side. The side that produces less milk is called the “slacker” side. 

Variations between sides are normal and are usually due to differences in the number of milk ducts you have on each side.

If you are pumping you see the number of ounces each side produces several times per day and so this can be something very noticeable. 

Most of the time, different outputs are really not anything to stress over. Moms who are directly nursing would not see the amount they produce, and they would not even realize they produce different amounts on each side.

Can You Fix A “Slacker: Side?

Fixing a slacker side is possible and how you fix it will depend on a few different factors. Is lower milk output due to a problem, like the clog being experienced by this mom? Or is the lower output just a natural variation?

If the lower output is due to a clog, once the clog is removed, then you should return to a similar output as you had before. I found that if I took this supplement, it would fix my clog within a few hours.

I would also pump more frequently on the side affected by the clog in order to help get things moving along and pass the clog more quickly.

After the clog passes, then you may have milk that is backed up and you will pump a larger volume than normal on the side that had the clog.

Another thing is to make sure you figure out the reason why you got the clog in the first place. Some moms get clogs if they skip a pumping session. 

I figured out that I had recurring clogs when I was using a flange size that was too big. The clogs went away once I started using the correct flange size. Keep in mind that you may need a different flange size the further along you get in your pumping journey.

Try This To Even Out Your Slacker Side

If you are unhappy with the output from a slacker side and there is not a problem like a clog, there are other things to try. 

One thing you can do is to pump only the slacker side to increase the demand on that side. You can try something like power pumping but only power pump on the slacker side.

You can also try using a haakaa on the slacker side to increase your output.

Something that helps a lot of moms is to use a pump that has two motors. These types of pumps can have more suction than what you get with a pump with one motor like a Spectra S1 or S2.  

Some of these dual-motor pumps also allow you to change the settings on each side so you have a stronger suction or vacuum on the slacker side. 

By changing the vacuum and cycle strength on each side, you may be able to increase the number of ounces you pump. This is because you can customize each side to the strength that it needs to produce the most milk.

If you already have checked that you are using the correct flange size, you may want to look into using one of the dual motor pumps. My favorite dual motor pump is this one (link to Amazon).

Advice From Real Moms

Here is some advice from 8 different moms who have experience with one side that produces less than the other side.

Mom 1: Different Outputs Are Normal

Yes, this is normal. Yesterday, I got 9 ounces on one side and 4 ounces on the other but I can also get 10 ounces from each side in one sitting. Sometimes it is stubborn. And actually sometimes they take turns on which is going to be a slacker!

Mom 2: A Clog Can Impact Your Milk Production

This was exactly how it was for me and my doctor said it was normal. I would say the difference looks more drastic because of the clog too. 

Either way mama you are doing amazing for your little one!

Mom 3: My Left Side Produces Less Milk

Mine is about the same and changed with each baby too. My left used to make half of what my right did. With my second baby it makes about a third. So frustrating.

Mom 4: My Slacker Side Prodes Half

My slacker is typically about half the number of ounces of my good side. A clog will easily knock 1 – 2 ounces off for me.

Mom 5: This Happens To Me Too

I don’t have a clog, and this is always how mine look. It drives me nuts. Slacker side is truly slacking.

Mom 6: Mastitis Impacted My Milk Supply

Mastitis destroyed my good side supply. I’m still fighting to get it back on track. My other side picked up the slack in the meantime, but sometimes I can only pump half as much.

Mom 7: My Right Side Is My Good Side

My supply is acting up like that too right now. Left side will make 3 to 4 ounces and the right side will make 9 to 10 ounces.

Mom 8: How Do You Produce So Much?

I don’t have advice, but how do you produce so much and get your supply to look like this? You have a great milk output!

This Mom’s Answer: Blue Gatorade and eating junk food. It sounds horrible but seriously, the more junk I eat the better my output. 

I don’t know what magic is in blue gatorade but it always helps. I get the zero sugar one because I drink 2 or so per day. Pedialyte popsicles help too. 

I also use this dual motor pump. I wish it was portable like my Spectra 1, but the Gold does have stronger suction and the ability to have different settings per side which is huge.

Next, Read This

1. Do Oreos Really Work To Increase Milk Supply?
2. How This Drink Boosted My Milk Supply
3. Do Legendairy Milk Supplements Actually Work?

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