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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Can I breast feed with saggy boobs?

34 replies

barrelwithoutthelaughs · 08/02/2008 19:35

Name change due to the embarrassment I have very large boobs which are heavy and my nipples point down... so how on earth will I breast feed? I'm 27 weeks so I'm starting to think about the ins and outs. I just can't see how it will work without be suffocating the baby. And how will he latch on?

I'm a little worried about the first feed just after the birth and everyone round watching and him not being able to latch on because they're so gross..

Can anyone explain it to me, or tell me if I should be bottle feeding instead?

OP posts:

chibi · 08/02/2008 19:43

It can be done, do not be discouraged. Bf is not just for the preternaturally perky. IIRC there are certain poitions which are more conducive to feeding when you are large of nork, I think the rugby hold is one of them. It is a good thing that you are finding out now, hopefully this will make you feel more confident when you actually come to feeding your newborn.
I am sure that someone who can give more specialised info will be along shortly, best of luck!

PrettyCandles · 08/02/2008 19:50

My nipples point downwards as well. It doesn't make any difference as far as I can see. I feed in similar positions to other mums. If anything, I suspect that having droopy boobs makes it easier to feed lying down in bed.

Nobody will watch you having that first feed. It will be just you and your birth partner, with maybe one or two midwives pottering about in the delivery room. They will ensure you have the space and peace you seek.

absandme · 08/02/2008 21:07

Doesn't matter on size, shape or angle... I've seen all shapes & sizes feeding, any problems with latch or position then midwives can help, they've seen it all before & a lot worse too!!

When you leave hospital there is always MN & bf counsellors out there to help with positioning and latch.

You may take to it like a duck to water but it may also take a little time to get sorted but keep relaxed & it'll be great!

Best wishes for the rest of the pregnancy too!

fingerwoman · 08/02/2008 21:08

I have big boobs. rather saggy too.
ds2 doesn't seem to mind at all

crokky · 08/02/2008 21:10

if you have more boob, you will be able to move it better to the baby's mouth, it will be an advantage!

mrsruffallo · 08/02/2008 21:17

It's easy to b/f with saggy boobs- you can cup a breast in your hand to move it up or put your hand on your chest and yank it up a bit.
Laying down is good if your breasts sag.
Whichever way you choose, I am sure it will be fine!

moondog · 08/02/2008 21:19

Bless you Barrel,I'm sure they are lovely!

Your dear little baby will consider them to be the most wonderful thing in the world,no matter what size,shape or colour.

dewmeadow · 08/02/2008 21:20

Had to have CS with DD2 so Iwas in the recovery place when fed her for 1st time - just DH, her and me. I was lying down and she snuggled into my boob for her first sup - it was beautiful!

NoBiggy · 08/02/2008 21:21

Mine are so saggy I think I could actually be in a different room and still reach DD to feed her.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 08/02/2008 21:25

I found downard pointing nipples meant I didnt have to hold baby tummy to tummy

I could gaze into my babies eyes as she and he fed

chipmonkey · 08/02/2008 21:34

I have NEVER had perky boobs but I have spent a total of 4.8 years breastfeeding and the babies managed just fine! I have never heard of it being a problem. Oh, and another thing, they are no more saggy now than they were when I started, just in case that's another thing that you might be worried about.

CalifrauQuoteoftheWeek · 08/02/2008 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

B1977 · 08/02/2008 21:38

Don't give it a moment's worry, you'll be fine! Get some Lansinoh though for the first few weeks as you might be sensitive.

saggers · 08/02/2008 21:41

I did it. Still am with DD2. They'll perk up a bit once your milk comes in anyway. You can swing them round into different positions, so you won't have a problem.

BigBadMouse · 08/02/2008 21:43

hello barrel, tbh you may well find it an advantage. Mine are exactly as you described yours and I BF'd for 10 months. For a start you don't need a pillow to get baby up to the right height to feed...

pmsl at nobiggy . I remember BF when out one day. We were sitting at a picnic table with other mums who were all bf at the same time. Didn't know what to do when I realised that my DD was almost under the table and still attached while all the other babies had to be on top of it to hang on

Off to namechange having admitted all this

btw if they get bigger after the birth don't be put off BF, once BF is established they go to a normal size and it actually becomes a pleasant experience

saggers · 08/02/2008 21:43

I once managed to feed DD1 in the back seat of a car while she was in her car seat.

terramum · 08/02/2008 21:43

Boobs that point downwards are great for breastfeeding - I've never seen a levitating baby yet! .

Seriously though - it is a little daunting & I do remember feeling very awkward at first...but tbh my inhibitions had kind of gone after giving birth & I was so busy concentrating on getting bfing right that I didn't really notice or care after a while who saw my boobs. One thing I do remember doing during the first few weeks was using a little hand mirror to see how DS was latched on as I couldn't see over my rather ample bosom (44J at their biggest).

Have you seen the breast crawl video that was posted on here a while ago? It would be worth watching it to see just how good babies are at breastfeeding all by themselves, given the time & right conditions to do so.

These links that are listed on the kellymom site might interest you:
www.llli.org//llleaderweb/LV/LVMayJun89p35.html
www.breastfeeding-basics.com/html/Large_Breasted_Tips.shtml
www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/NursingWhenWellEndowedFAQ.html

saggers · 08/02/2008 21:44

I was in the back too, not driving. Although mine could probably be stretched that far..

LittleBottle · 08/02/2008 21:48

Yes yes yes! Mine are a 36J and I manage just fine. I have to hold my breast during the feed so as not to squash DS's face but not had any real problems - he's 6 months old now.

One big advantage is that I can sit cross-legged anywhere, pop his across my lap, and feed him without having to hold him up!

LittleBottle · 08/02/2008 21:49

his body across my lap. As he's got bigger, it's got easier - I used the rugby hold and a v-pillow to begin with.

whomovedmychocolate · 08/02/2008 22:04

Mine are like puppy dogs ears these days but I'm still breastfeeding DD and pregnant with the next one so I expect to just segue from one floppy feed to another.

LOL at Saggers and her backseating feeding! I fed DD upside down the other day, couldn't be arsed to catch her and turn her round the right way so she lay there with her feet by my ears happily suckling away while I read my book

CantSleepWontSleep · 08/02/2008 22:07

Definitely not a problem.

I have been feeding dd for 2 years (and 5 hours and 26 minutes ) with saggy boobs, and she loves to roll them about with her hand whilst saying 'biiiiiig boo boo' .

I never did this, but you can roll up a towel and pop it underneath your breast if you want to raise it up for feeds.

Also, as someone else said, it's probably easier to feed lying down. I can lie on my side with dd next to me and feed from either breast without having to move!

First feed I was in a reclined position on the delivery bed, and she was plonked on top and sort of found her own way there - no one paid much attention. And really, if you think that your boobs are going to be the worst thing the midwives have seen then you still have a lot to learn about childbirth .

hermykne · 08/02/2008 22:11

where is barrel ?
hmmmmm.

barrel - good maternity feeding bra

Original poster

barrelwithoutthelaughs · 08/02/2008 22:43

Sorry, I am here, I've just been reading everything.

It all sounds very positive. I thought I maybe wouldn't get chance to breastfeed because all the step by step guides on getting baby latched show these perfect pert boobies and baby's bottom lip comes from underneath if you get me. So I didn't know if it was possible with floppy ones like mine.

Sounds much easier than perfect boobs though!!

I'm sure I'm just very sensitive about my boobs but me and DP were laughing our heads off the other night coz he said I was leaking and I picked my boob up to have a look coz I couldn't see

Thanks for all the sites, and thanks for the advice on positions. I've not seen anyone breastfeed before so I can only imagine how to do it.

Hermykne- where can I get a good but affordable maternity bra? They all seem to be very over priced!

OP posts:

mumofdjandp · 08/02/2008 22:45

If I can you can

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