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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

BF with V.Large Boobs

31 replies

LorzB · 26/07/2009 18:24

Hi, I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has/is BF with really large boobs? I am 20W pregnant with my 1st and would really like to BF however i'm usually a 32K and was wondering if this would be a big problem when BF. Would really appreciate any tips/advice?

OP posts:

thighsmadeofcheddar · 26/07/2009 18:26

I have big norkage as well and found getting one of those breastfeeding pillows was a good support. And using the rugby ball hold, baby lies along the side of you sort of tucked under your arm, easier to contain the bulk.

good luck!

Loopymumsy · 26/07/2009 21:32

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thisisyesterday · 26/07/2009 21:40

i am a 32H and have breastfed just fine.
it might help to go along to a local breastfeeding cafe, LLL meeting or baby cafe beforehand though to get lots of tips, advice and moral support!

Loopymumsy · 26/07/2009 22:05

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Original poster

LorzB · 27/07/2009 12:26

Thanks for your comments, I will have a look at what groups are available in my area. Loopy Mumsy - Finding a decent bra is one of my main concerns! I usually buy from bravissimo however they only go up to a KK cup and as my normal size is a K I don't think they will cater for me after the birth. I have managed to find a L cup from Royce but don't think there is anything bigger out there! So was worried that if I get any bigger than that I wont be able to BF as i've read that an ill fitting bra can cause blocked ducts. Did anyone find that as they already had big boobs they didn't increase as much as the average 2 cup sizes after the birth?

OP posts:

stillstanding · 27/07/2009 12:37

I have large boobs and found the tricky bit being "the droop". Apparently this often causes issues with latching etc. I found the easiest way to solve this problem was to have a pillow on my lap with the baby lying on it with one hand holding the baby and the other propping up my boob. Really made a big difference. Best of luck!

suwoo · 27/07/2009 12:56

I'm not as big as you (although I was bigger before my reduction ). I am normally a 30F and have only gone up to a 32G. I only wnet up one size or so with my other two children too.

Luckily, due to the reduction, although they are still largish, they are pert and I do actually have a gap between the cushion and the breast.

cornflakegirl · 27/07/2009 14:00

I think Royce comes up small compared with other manufacturers. I was wearing a K cup in a nursing bra, but when I switched back to wires, it was to an H cup. Mind you, nursing bras are horrible, so it's difficult to tell if they actually fit iyswim.

My DS was a reluctant latcher for the first couple of months, so not really being able to see the nipple didn't help. And no one-handed feeding while reading a book here. Also carried around a nursing cushion until he could support himself. On the plus side, feeding lying down is easy because switching sides involves just changing body angle by about 10 degrees to bring other breast into play.

Original poster

LorzB · 27/07/2009 17:34

The cushion tip seems popular so will definatly try that, keeping my fingers crossed I will only go up 1 cup size too suwoo! Thanks for the advice on Royce cornflakegirl, i've ordered the Jasmine in an L to see how it fits me now so I have plenty of time to find another option if its a no go. Do nursing bras really look that horrible? Don't fancy sporting the "round your ankles look!" Does anyone know of any other good big bra shops as i've scoured the internet and cant seem to find any that go over a K?!

OP posts:

cornflakegirl · 27/07/2009 17:39

Nursing bras are awful (caveat - I only tried the Royce). My boobs were under my armpits. This time around I plan to get back into my wires toot sweet - I wear Panache Plunge normally, which are fine for feeding my toddler, so once the baby is past the faffy stage, the feeding bras will be ceremonially burnt!

mumtoted · 27/07/2009 18:02

another thumbs up for feeding cushion from me. As for nursing bras, i never found one that lifted them from my waist so bought some strap converter things from ebay and converted my favourite underwired bra(in a bigger size though) into a bf bra, and i was much happier. i bf for 19 months.

suwoo · 27/07/2009 18:14

I have just invested in a nursing bra and went for this Freya one. It gives me almost as much uplift as my normal underwired bras and bears no resemblance to the hammocks you get from M&S.

suwoo · 27/07/2009 18:15

It does only go up to a H though I notice.

Original poster

LorzB · 27/07/2009 18:45

Are nursing bras just for convenience then? I was under the impression you had to wear non wired because your boobs were so uncomfortable in a normal bra but if this isn't the case i'd be much happier wearing a normal bra and suffering the inconvenience! (or get some strap converter things, thanks mumtoted!)

OP posts:

stickylittlefingers · 27/07/2009 18:52

I am a mere F, but I did decide after the first time round that nursing bras were more trouble than they were worth, and just hooked up underwired ones (which I didn't find uncomfortable) and wore tops with lots of material in for "modesty" issues!

Original poster

LorzB · 27/07/2009 19:28

Right, i'm definatly going down the bra conversion route feel so much more positive about BF now! Thanks for all your advice

OP posts:

lynneevans51 · 27/07/2009 19:33

I was a 32H prior to pg. 1st pg absolutely could not feed, but ended up expressing. I didn't really get the support to be honest and DS just didn't take. DC2 (DD) took to it straight away and I was MUCH bigger when I had her. I didn't go down afterwards though and stagnated at a huge 32JJ. Ended up with a breast reduction.

Imagine my horror to find being pg AGAIN (unexpeected of course). Now thinking what a waste of money on reduction - although for the past 3 years, felt it was the best thing I ever did!

NoHotAshes · 27/07/2009 19:50

What are these bra converters?

OP, check Figleaves for nursing bras in larger sizes. Also, look at the "rugby ball hold" as a comfortable position for getting started with breastfeeding.

thisisyesterday · 27/07/2009 19:59

you aren't supposed to wear underwired bras because the wire can press against the breast and cause blocked ducts which are fairly unpleasant and can lead to mastitis which is even more unpleasant.

my fave bras are my royce ones. i didn't like them at first but they're def the most supportive and longest lasting.

suwoo · 27/07/2009 20:06

Lynne, I've had three pregnancies since my reduction 15 years ago and my boobs have gone back down each time. Still the best thing I ever did.

Original poster

LorzB · 27/07/2009 20:20

I read that wearing a bra that was too tight could also lead to mastitis so wouldn't a correctly fitting underwired be more suitable than an ill fitting non wired? :-S I have got a Royce on it's way to me that I will try but i'm not holding out much hope!

NoHotAshes - They're hooks that you sow on to the straps/top of cups of your normal bras to make a nursing bra (I've found a pack of 2 for £5 on www.motherwearuk.com).

lynneevans51 - Poor you Went to see a consultant for a BR a few years ago and he put me off by telling me they would probs grow when I had children and not go back down! Do sometimes think though what if I have it done when I've had all my children and wish I'd had it done when I was young enough to still shop in Topshop like every other girl my age! lol

OP posts:

lynneevans51 · 27/07/2009 20:21

Suwoo - thank you thank you thank you. Fingers crossed for me too!!!

Karam · 27/07/2009 20:23

I was a 32L when breastfeeding... and I think it was quite painful for the first few weeks. My midwife suggested that it could be because when my DD was so small, she struggled to fit everything in her mouth.

I also found that my boobs were very efficient - and poor DD almost used to choke it came out so fast! Have no idea whether that is related to boob size though! But I did just used to have to let it squirt and let it all calm down a bit until I actually fed her.

Agree with the pillow idea... I found it easier to put the baby on a bfeeding cushion and then I held the boob in position. I never got on with feeding lying down though.

I also found bfeeding bras to be a nightmare, and so went over to sports bras as soon as possible.

But I bfed DD1 for 18 months and DD2 for 8 months - both times I fed until my DDs gave up. Once I got over the initial 10 weeks with DD1 (and it never hurt at all with DD2), then it was fantastic... it is perfectly possible to do. Just don't expect to be one of those mums who get up to answer the door halfway through feeding or anything like that! Its just not possible when you have huge norks!!

suwoo · 27/07/2009 20:25

Lorz, thats exactly what I did- I had mine on the NHS at the age of 19 and was able to wear what I wanted from then on. As I say, best thing ever.

And to re-iterate, they've gone back down each time and anyway, they didn't grow anywhere near as big as they were previously. Nowhere near!!!

TigerFeet · 27/07/2009 20:34

Ample Bosom do Royce nursing bras in larger sizes, I've just got a 36K from them.

My friend who has large breasts prefers a rugby ball hold but I found that using a cushion was fine. I got some great advice from a MW when I was struggling to feed dd - prop your breast up with a flannel or similar and it's easier to get a better latch.

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