Need some tips for breastfeeding for the larger breasted lady.. quick list much appreciated!

[Lulumama]

Lady having planned c.s tomorrow, determined to breast feed, was told skin to skin after a c.s not allowed as the mother is not 'sterile' anyhoo, have assured her that is not the case, and as long as baby is ok then skin to skin will not be an issue

so best tips for feeding after c.s and with larger breasts

i know i can search the archives, but i would appreciate not having to

I have massive norks, have had two c-sections and bf both babies (& I am still bfing dd). I used a feeding pillow (not my Breast Friend as that hurt my scar). That way you don't have to juggle a small baby whilst trying to hol your boob up. You should try a couple of feeding positions, I found the rugby ball hold the easiest. Your mw should be able to help you out. It certainly can be done, I fed dd in the recovery room and she fed really well. Twas lovely. Good luck and don't worry, you can do it.

don't know about cs, but my boobs were 36K when feeding so can definitely talk about larger breasts!!!

1. learn to feed lying down (took us about 4 weeks to get the hang of it) good support for boobs
2. get a really good nursing bra and get measured fairly frequently to check it fits, and wear it day and night
3. bf cushions often don't help as not enough room above them for baby and boobs! so better to learn how to hold the baby yourself.
4. bf in public greatly helped by two top combo - slightly baggy top so plenty of fabric around body and cardigan to sort of drape around boob. can get away with not too much on show that way.

ok,, that is great. rugby ball hold was ringing a bell, and lying down to feed...and i am going to have a read of my la leche book again.. tis not me, tis a client.

but thank you both..

I have big norks and had a cs and found it very tricky in the beginning.

Things that helped me:

1. Rugby ball hold was great to start but once I got my confidence then moved on to across the tummy position which I personally found easier.
2. One thing that really helped me was wearing a good maternity bra and also lifting my breast slightly with one hand - this was the key to successful feeding with me as it was a disaster before due to positioning etc
3. I always used a pillow to prop the baby up mainly because it was kinda tricky to hold the baby with one hand given the other was holding my breast up

I realised who you were after I posted . Please ignore the mw comment. A simple V cushion is good as it is not too bluky but normal feeding cushions can be too high. I have a very short body with 34 K boobs and I have managed for 7 months with the V cushion. Feeding lying down can be tough as lying down on your side can be painful if you have a large 'apron'. I did second time round and I couldn't lie on my side until two weeks pp. Plus babies little kicking feet tend to be in line with the scar so you'll need to take care with them. I had a couple of wallops in the scar from ds (sec no 1) and boy did that hurt!

that;s fine ! i really appreciate the tips. i did not breastfeed my DCs, so i still feel a bit out of my depth sometimes, and need further info to back up what i have learnt and read and seen along the way.

i don't understand the skin to skin thing - i had skin to skin with dd after a section.

anyway, cushion is good, also squashing the area into a more acceptable shape iykwim. good luck t oher.

agree marthasmama - even without cs, it took a month to get to grips with lying down but was great then. i had a big bulky bf cushion - thin one would be better.

personally never managed rugby hold and cross body was much easier. it seems like that might work for some though. so i think the key is for her to try lots of diff positions to find what works rather than worry if one doesn't.

and manhandling of boob until baby is on and comfy is a good tip!

I hold my boob all through the feed otherwise it is so heavy to just pops out of dd's mouth . Rugby ball hold is good as you can see what's going on with the latch mor effectively that way. With huge boobs it is sometimes hard to get to grips with latching baby on and holding boob wihtout getting all bunched up.

thank you all, i feel better as what i had thought was appropriate has been confirmed

i also had a WTF moment..one of the more bizarre things i have heard lately, and that is saying something

thakn yuo hoochie,

thank you all xxx

Can't comment on c-section (thankfully) but was also 36K when feeding.
Ditto advice about ordinary pillow to prop up baby rather than breastfeeding v-shaped one - they were too bulky.
Also never really mastered rugby hold.
Lying down also easy.
Wore bras day and night - more comfortable that way - loosened straps for night though as uplift less important!
Rolled up flannel can help support breast. I used little ones from IKEA which are very cheap for pack of 10/20.

thank you hairtwiddler, that is really helpful too

I had skin to skin in theatre after my cs, utter nonsense that you can't!

I'm also a K wearer, I think DD just lay across me for her first feed, also used rugby ball position and various piles of pillows in hospital.

Back home I use a combination of:

Widgey pillow,
Thinner v pillow on top of a thin feather pillow,
Feeding lying down.
Low chair so feet can be firmly on the floor and legs raised enough to support baby.
Hold breast up slightly but it's important not to hold it in a way that digs in and affects flow if that makes sense.

I'm not sure height doesn't make a difference as well as bra size, I'm quite tall and do find I need to raise baby up, it's bad news for your back if you find yourself leaning forward over the baby.

brilliant, thank you purplemyrtle...

My lovely MW (Juliet at St Marys) latched my DS on in a rugby ball hold while I was in recovery about 7pm and my milk came in by the following morning. I'm convinced it was her input that made that happen. I found that much easier while my scar was healing and I found a pillow folded in half easiest to support my DS.

Good luck lovely lulu!

I also found it useful to have the baby swaddled. I found it easier to handle the baby with one hand and the boob with the other IYSWIM.

Just realised it's not you - doh! And I know you haven't asked about this but I had to wait all day for mine and was nil by mouth in case I needed GA. I was starving afterwards and there was no food to be had anywhere so please tell her partner to bring her something yummy to eat

thank you all..that is fab. have got a bag of snacks and stuff to take in and can always go to canteen for her. thanks,swaddling also good tip

Have had 2 em c/s and bf after both with big norks.

Cushions, lots of...behind back so that you sit up really straight, then basically cushions on lap to bring baby up to right hand (also good for hiding flabby tummy if self concious), i got on best with baby across body, but always had to hold boob wiht one hand otherwise not confy, suspect the boob was too heavy otherwise IYSWIM.

I could never do that amazing looking cradle baby in one hand whilst feeding thing, always 2 hands needed, 1 for baby and 1 for boob. Not so good for public subtle feding but this obvs not an issue in early days.

Both times i fed in recovery room, not in theatre but both babies were fine with this and not crying when delivered.

DS1 was v sleepy after and struggled to feed after the first good feed so had to wake him. nOT SURE IF THIS RELATED TO C/S OR (opps sorry) not but ds2 not like this at all.

Personally didnt get ont he best with rugby ball and lying down feeding. I did think v pillow great but just a normal one not a specialist bf one..£7 from dunelm i htink.

Good luck for your friend!

should read, cushions to bring baby up to right height sorry.

Have had em c/s and a G cup.

Found rugby ball by far the easiest - no pressure on the scar.

Way I found easiest was to sit very upright (lots of cushions behind back), have baby on cushions next to me and hold boob with one hand.

There's some pics of me feeding on the sofa here I've got a video as well if that would help? WOuld have to upload it overnight as it's a bit big.

thank you very much, this is so helpful

and the pictures are brilliant. thanks so much
x

lulu - that whole biological nurturing thing worked well for us where i lay down and put DS on my chest and let him latch on. not sure if it would work with cs scar, but it meant my boob was a bit flattened so very easy for DS to get a latch - often used that position during the early weeks.

purplemyrtle reminded me that i used to use my legs to support baby rather than a cushion - i used a footrest thing to get my feet to the right height.