QUESTION: About two months ago, my son stopped nursing on my right breast. At first I thought it was a picky-breast-preference thing he was starting. (He is my second child, I nursed his big sister for more than 3 years before he was born.) After a few times of refusing to nurse on the right breast, I realized that he didn't like the taste...he was making his "yuk" sound after latching on, then would request the left breast instead.

I then pumped and compared the milk from each breast. The left breastmilk was thinner, clearer and oh, so sweet! The right breastmilk was thicker, cloudier and tasted terrible...I mean really bad! I then consulted a couple of friends, one a LLL Leader, another a lactation consultant and R.N., and both suggested that I go to the doctor. Last week, at my appointment, the nurse practitioner physically examined both breasts, said she'd never heard of this, and said if it still bothered me in a few months, then I could have it looked at again at that time. I then insisted on an ultrasound.

That appointment was today. The technician had also not heard of such a thing happening, and examined both breasts with ultrasound. She didn't find or see anything abnormal in either breast. She did notice that the right breast (the affected side) did seem like the ducts were more dilated (which seemed backward to me, because I think there is less milk in there at this point.) I am now waiting for the doctor's office (which had never heard of this before) to read my ultrasound results and get back to me. Meanwhile, I'm surfing for answers and found this website...(which I am excited to see, by the way!) What could this be, is it benign, and how can I get my milk to taste sweet again? I've thought about renting a "mega-pump" for a month and "milk" myself regularly to see if this changes anything. I am grateful to be a breastfeeding mother, but feel a bit unbalanced, not to mention concerned. Thanks for your help!

Sorry, I forgot to add that I have had no other symptoms or changes. He still refuses the breast, (even when I try it while he's asleep at night), and the milk still tastes bad.

Veronica-

If you have already consulted with a lactation consultant, a nurse practitioner, and had an ultrasound, the only other thing I would suggest is a good, breastfeeding supportive, breast surgeon. Ask around the La Leche League community to find one. I know that a breast that is infected with mastitis will have thicker, foul tasting milk. Could you be having a silent mastitis? That would also explain why the ducts are dilated - because the milk is backed up in them and is thickening. Your idea of renting a mega pump for a few weeks is a good idea, but I would also find a good surgeon and consult with him/her ASAP.

Good luck and keep on nursing.

Debbie Rabin, OTR, CLC

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