Big boob breastfeding

[RabbitWrangler]

Dear Mumsnetter's

Can you help?

My partner is a bra size 38G/H and has some trouble breastfeeding. Our DD isn't latching on properly and my better half is having problems getting her breasts in the right position

Have you got any tips you can pass on?

How old is the baby?

Congratulations to you both!

Is your DP holding her breast? I've gone up to a 32FF at times when BFing (and was once told by a MW on my 2nd I was too big to bfeed but that's another story!)

I found that if I rested the baby's head in the crook of my arm and then slid my free hand under my breast and gently pushed it upwards, then moved baby up and gently leant over at the same time then the baby could get a better latch.

It also helped in the early days to hold the baby but rest my arm on a pillow just to stop it aching

DD is just over 7 weeks

A feeding cushion could help, provides good support for her and baby.

Should see HV about latching or local breastfeeding group to help with the latching as could hinder BF long term.

How old is little one?

Aww congrats!!!

Has she always had trouble latching? If so would definately seek some advice with breastfeeding counsellor or Health Visitor as that should have been sorted before now, by them not you partner.

I'm convinced that this is why I had trouble bfing (am 38G). No one seemed to know what to do with them to help and dd hated it. I always thought I was suffocating her. Hence her being formula fed. I have no advice but I really hope your partner gets better help than I did. There are some great people here to help but has she seen anyone about it?

i would suggest lying down feeding. She gets comfy on the bed on her side, with a pillow or not, as she prefers, then you put the baby in the right place to reach her nipple. As she gets used to the position she'll be able to sort herself out! And practicing like this whenever you can kind of gets you used to feeding sitting up when you need to as well. It's a blissful way to feed, so peaceful and comfy and cuddly. ahhh nostalgia..

LOL mamadiva you beat me to my next question!

Hi mamadiva

My DP has a Breast Friend (www.mybrestfriend.com/) which has helped a lot.

It's also been useful serving drinks at parties!

Do agree about getting advice - DP just is feeling too busy to get in touch. Will suggest she rings up

BuckBuckMcFate - I think she's doing that. She currently rolling on the floor with DD so will probably come on and say if that's what's she's doing

Hank you for the quick replies !

Yes the lying down feeding was lovely [sigh]

And if her nipples are getting sore from the latch it may relieve them a bit for DD to be feeding in a different position

I'm 34G, i had no trouble bf, i suggest she takes the breast in one hand (or maybe 2, while you hold baby) and pop the nipple into babys mouth as though it were a large bottle, and the nipple were the teat, hopefully she will find it easier to latch rather than just putting her to the nipple. hth.

Buck, great minds eh? LOL.

I don't know much about BF but does having big norks really affect it? Never thought about that

IMO size doesn't affect it, I think if you are large though you can, as Eyeballsinthesky said, worry that you are going to suffocate them (especially when your breast is twice the size of a newborn baby's head )

I have to say Rabbit you are a lovely DP to come on and look for advice for her

It's funny the one time in your life when you need most support is the one time you can't be arsed looking through it Oh the irony. LOL

La Leche support, asd I say I don't know much about Breastfeeding but this website looks good.

Also meant to say chances are it's the latch that is causing problems not the large assets IMO

Again has this always been a problem?

Do you or DP know of any support groups locally? Might be worth a try can be a very difficult time for everyone as you know

Dear All

Thank you very much for all this advice. DD and DP have gone off to bed so will check in tomorrow / at the next night feed