Big boobs big problems

[sazzythom]

Hi

when my daughter was born i was determined to breastfeed. because she was in special care i had to express for her tobe fed through a tube. when i was doin this i was getting so much i was able to even donate some milk. When it came to actually breastfeeding my dd it just didn't seem to happen. I read a article today that said bigger busted ladies should breast feed differently to someone of say a b or c cup. I was wondering if anyone else had heard of this and could maybe advise of how its suppossed to be done. i know its early in my pregnancy but i really want to sort things out in my head so that these things don't become bigger than they are. When i moved hospitals when my dd came out of icu they had different breast pumps that didn't seem to wor as well as the ones i had used. Has anyone come accross this even?? I am thinking about purchasing one of the pumps i got on with so that i can maybe express and feed if i can't master breastfeeding again. Thanks

[monica]

Hi

I've heard that if baby is fed through tube or bottle to start off with , it can be hard for them to breast feed so perhaps the size of your breasts wasn't necessarily an issue; it's just it was a different and more difficult way of feeding. It's great your baby got your milk though!

Re: pumps, I have never got on with expressing. I had incredibly painful breasts this time (and it was my third breastfed child too) and hired an Ameda electric pump from Ardo Medical - it was approx £40 for the first month and then £26 per month thereafter. It was very good and easy to use but it would still take me 1/2 hour to get 7 oz so guess I wasn't made for expressing.

Monica x

[bean]

Hi Sazzy
Im so sorry I havent replied sooner. Saw your post friday and asked my healthcare worker who is my b/feeding expert to consult for advice, she said the big boobs shouldnt be a problem you just maybe need to adjust positions so youre both comfortable, if the babys not comfy Im sure she will let you know. I have two friends who are very big ladies and b/fed two babies each very successfully.
She didnt thnk there should be a problem after tube feeding ether, I remember having to express into a shringe for martha cause she was small and weak, and i thnk thats it they are just a bit weak and need to build up the strength to suckle - its hard work that suckling lol!
I also used three different kinds of expressers, an electrical one at the hospital whch i couldnt get anythng out of so i did it by hand, Ive also had a Tommy Tipee one and an Avent - both manual and my favourite and the most effective was definately the Avent, wish id kept it for number three but bought the other and it wasnt half as good - but everyones different and ive got really small boobies - if you can call them that at the mo lol - used to love that cleavage when i was feeding - miss it!

Hope youre doing ok hun, fire away if you have any more thoughts, ill try to get here more often.
luv bean x

[gizmoracer]

I'm gonna have to beg to differ on this one I'm afraid. I am an F cup naturally without breastfeeding on top and had an absolute nightmare trying to breastfeed both of mine.

I think the position being referred to could be known as the rugby tackle hold? perhaps. This is what they called it at my hospital basically you hold baby under your arm with feet behind you. A cushion is quite essential for this and don't even attempt to do it decretly its a 'I'm at home and letting it all hang out' position lol. Personally I never got past a few weeks with either of mine and that was with attending breastfeeding classes as well. Their advice was to put my boob in a sling The trouble I had was that LO was literally being suffocated (even that little gap under their nose was almost non exsistant).

However in so saying that there are plenty of women out there who do cope, somehow, and I take my hat off to them. As, when and if I have another I will be on here begging for your help Bean as I would still like to suceed one day.

My personal advice to you Sazzythom is to give it a go. All babies are different, my 2nd coped better than my first and you have experience now that you didn't have before. Ask for lots of help from midwives etc and if you really can't do it go with the expressing. Most importantly don't stress yourself over it as it will only make it harder.

[winegirl]

I cant comment on breast feeding as I only managed two weeks. But glad I gave it a try! So yes, Sazzy, my advice is give it a go, and if you have any questions or need any advice just post in here to our Bean - she is the guru on all things booby x

[bean]

Hi
I used the 'Rugby tackle' position and found this the most comfortable for both of us although i am Tina Tiny Tits! a couple of my friends are huge and they found this position good too.
I think you will do great Sazzy, hope you are well and just give it a go if thats what you want, trial and error in the position stakes i think, but if i get more info on this training course im supposed to be doing i shall let you know.
much love
beany xx

[loobylu]

hi just wanted to say i have g cup boobs, fed my first son for 6 weeks and my daughter for 4 months and still going. Also had a break for a week when she was 4 weeks old and was on a ventilator. breast feeding is incredably difficult with large boobs. i was given no support at all but from experience i have picked up many tips.
1. feed in bed laying flat on your side, if you cant master this your back will hurt real bad
2. Get a good feeding bra, my experience says m&s mothercare were rubbish i bought mine online. i know they dont advice it but i have alaways dreamed of a feeding bra whiched is wired bercause big girls need the support and structure.
3. get a comfy bra for night - a crop top type bra was perfect for me got them from primark, they dont hold much support but hold my breast pad in place.
4. find a chair of motherhood! meaning dedicate an armchair or sofa which is yours, you will feed your little baby for hours on end, your need the remote, the phone, your mobile, a cup of tea, snacks, a cold drink, something to put your feet up on, extra cushions, reading material, tissues, breast pads,
5. if your posture is ok in your motherhood chair and you have plenty of cushions around to help you youshould be ok, if you get all this right you'll beable to relax which helps let your milk down
6. relax about everything to do with breast feeding, dont get worried you cant do it, nothing terrible will happen if you deside not to! let nature take over, if you want to express a bit of cos you feel full do it.... there were no midwives and hv in cavemen days, the women would have done what felt naturally
7. on pumps, i think i have used hundreds, yes a fancy posh electric one is great but i would rather spend the money on clothes a cheap one for a tenner will do! failing that i just do it by hand and can express 2 onces in 5 minutes
8. if you want the baby to occasionally take a bottle do this early and consistently do it otherwise thy'll forget!
9. on the big boob issue i learnt i had to hold my breast up while feeding, difficult but the only way
10. the first few weeks, hurt like hell - there is no way if making the pain stop it hurts. i used to take paracetomol and ibrufen befor going to bed because it was worse when i was tired, this helped a bit.
11. creams are worth getting but i found if i put it directly on my nipple my baby slipped off, i found it best to put a bit on the breast pad.
hope this helps any breast feeding mums reading. Breast feeding once mastered is easier than bottle feeding and saves you a fortune. they say its better for baby too!

[bean]

Thanks loobylu, great advice and tips. Sorry Ive not been around again Sazzy how are you doing hun ?? xx

[monica]

Hi Loobylu

Have passed on your tips to a large busted friend of mine who is pregnant and hoping to b/f, so thanks for that.

Monica