Enormous Norks and breastfeeding

[CricketSoph]

I have absolutely enormous norks (was 36G pre-preg, now, at 41 +4, 40L is looking too tight ).
I have been trying to look for books/websites that have pictures/suggestions for breastfeeding positions for the overly amply endowed but all I can find are the usual "tummy to tummy" pictures of women no bigger than a DD cup - and perky with it . I have spoken to a NCT BF counsellor and she suggested that tummy to tummy probaby won't work so well for me... though that might be more to do with sagginess rather than size . I'm booked in to be induced on Friday and I'm concerned that I will end up being trapped in hosp with no access to specialist advice and I wanted to do a bit of homework/research in advance.
Can anyone suggest any websites/books that might have some suggestions or even just pictures of the rugby ball hold? Also any ideas on where to source bigger nursing bras than an L cup...

[WigWamBam]

I was 48K when I was breastfeeding ... which qualifies as pretty enormous!

I used pillows a lot - to start with I found a V-shaped pillow with another pillow underneath the end dd's head was at worked well, and I got on very well with the rugby ball hold and feeding lying down. Eventually I got the hang of putting my knee up, sometimes on my other leg, sometimes on a stool, and resting dd on it. She would lie quite flat on her back - I realise this goes against everything that the midwives will tell you, but dd hated being "tummy to mummy", and it actually worked much better for both of us to feed her lying flat. We still had plenty of cuddles and eye contact, just in a way that suited us far better.

It can be difficult to do discreetly when you're out, and I have to say that I didn't routinely feed in public, but I could and did do it when I had to. I remember going out for the day once and needing to feed dd sat at a picnic table - I put a rucksack on the table, made it soft with a fleece, and dd lay on that to feed her. It must have looked really odd but it worked!

There's a nursing bra goes up to 40L here - looks like quite a nice one, and a bit more supportive than some of the larger-cupped nursing bras can be.

[cornflakegirl]

I'm a 36 Jish and haven't really had a problem at all with feeding. Pretty much always have to support my breast (except when lying down). But apart from that, I didn't encounter any problems that were just to do with the size of my breasts.

There are major advantages though! When feeding in bed, I don't have to swap DS to the other side of me to feed from the other breast - just roll myself a little and it flops into his reach! Now that he's older (17m) and has latching sussed, if I'm feeding him in a sitting position, I don't always turn him round when he wants to switch sides (about every 30 seconds) - because he can pretty much reach either side. And his favourite position (standing on the floor while I'm sat on the sofa) is also greatly facilitated by my having norks already so close to the floor! Oh - and I can feed him in his car seat with greater ease than those with smaller breasts

Nursing bras are poo though. Hard to get, no choice, and your breasts end up under your armpits...

[Pitchounette]

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[MrsSpoon]

Looks like size isn't a problem when feeding lying down. I remember my midwife explaining to me that was the reason I was finding b/feeding lying down difficult (not that I was that big, practically 'twinkle norks' in comparison to some of the sizes mentioned here ).

[cornflakegirl]

I think maybe the difficulty with feeding when laying down is that you're less mobile - so when the baby is v small and also less mobile, it can be harder to get your breast exactly where the baby needs it. Obviously this just gets worse if the breast is bigger and somewhat less than perky... My son had trouble latching to start with, and had to be positioned pretty exactly - more of a two-handed job

Once the baby is big enough to move themselves to the breast (around 3/4 months? I don't really remember), this stops being an issue...

[maewest]

Just to add - I was feeding in a busy M&S cafe today with DS tucked neatly under my top, when an older lady (late 60s?) came over and said to me... "That's a very lucky baby, well done" . The rest of the world was just not bothered.

[Swizzler]

Also have large norks (34H) and large nipples - DS can't get all the aureloa in his muth but doesn;t seem to be a problem.

If you find a properly supportive nursing bra, let me know! Best I've found so far are the Royce ones, but they're not great.

[Milliee]

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[Lio]

Hi CricketSoph, have had a quick squiz and don't think I have much to add except that it CAN be done! I use a thin (rather than plump) feather-filled pillow and support the breast as JackieNo says BUT get a b/f counsellor to watch you do it as you need to be v careful about avoiding mastitis. As an aside, are you OK with being induced? Don't want to poke my nose in if it is fine by you, but if not let me know (I will check this thread tomorrow) - it is your right not to be induced if you choose.

By the way, can you find out NOW who your b'f counsellor is? Get head of the game, as it were.

[belgianmama]

Millie, that winter coat thing sounds v familiar. I went from a 34b to a 34f whent bf'ing & had to wear a coat 2 sizes bigger just to accomodate my ample chest. Although 34f is nothing compared to all you ladies' chests! I can imagine that nursing bras aren't very supportive for larger breasts.

[belgianmama]

All the best with the bf'ing once your lo is there cricket. Do hang in there if it doesn't go easily in the beginning, as you can see from all the other posters: it is possible & it will all get easy with time.
All the best

[Lio]

Best of luck CricketSoph, look forward to seeing your birth announcement

[ZamMummy]

Just wanted to add about nursing bras for those of us who are blessed(?) with huge boobs - I was a 38G/H when DS was wee, he's now 5.5months and I've gone down to a 36F (thank God). As I live in Zambia where there are no nursing bras at all and no other bras bigger than a C/D cup (why?), internet shopping is my best friend. So I heartily recommend this US site which is run by a LLL consultant and they sell wonderful underwired nursing bras!! by Anita which I have found the best of all.
Clotheswise this site is excellent - actually some tops I am happy to be seen wearing in public!
Best of luck Cricket, bring on the Ashes! (and you'll be able to watch them while bf - cricket is the perfect accompaniment)

[purplemonkeydishwasher]

qhat great links! i wish i knew about those sites when i had just started BF.