Breastfeeding

[Hannahb123]

I just thought I would give this ago not sure if I am writing this in the write place but here goes!

I am pregnant it's my second child and I did try breastfeeding before but I just couldn't get the hang of it and it just hurt and was so horrible? But I realllyyy want to try again! But cause I have larger breast I was wondering if there was any of you lovely ladies who have any tips on ways to feed with larger breast to make it easier??

Sorry, can't help with the large breast, but generally don't think it's an issue as such!

What you need is breastfeeding support - help with latching, I would guess if it hurt terribly before. And some nipple cream (Lansinoh is good.) - I think it does always hurt at the beginning as your nipples need to get used to the demand, but it shouldn't hurt long-term!
Are there breastfeeding support groups in your area?
The midwives in hospital may be able to help (although they're not necessarily experts). Ask the MW who comes round to your house after birth to help with latching, really, anyone with some experience!
But the breastfeeding support group is probably the best place to go for qualified advice and support (even pre-birth) - and after birth, go do a feed there and get them to show you how to do it better.

Thank you for replying yes I am going to try and find out about breast feeding support groups!! I have heard people talk about them! Do you have any advice on how to find them

Not sure about large breasts in only 32a😂 there are lots of support groups that can help and some health visitors are really supportive. My main tip don’t be afraid to ask for support

Get baby checked for tongue tie if it’s really hurting and your nipples are a different shape after baby has fed (they pinch the nipple with tongue tie, so it can look flattened). All 3 of mine had tongue tie, once it was cut breastfeeding was much easier.

Ask your midwife or health visitor about local support groups, you can often find them on Facebook too (just search breastfeeding and where you live). They truly are invaluable. Your hospital may also have a infant feeding or lactation specialist- its worth having their details to hand before you have the baby and to ask for them by name before you are discharged from the hospital, sometimes they will do home visits too.

Large boobs can be slightly trickier to handle to start with but once you find a position that works for you and baby it’s just as easy- rugby ball hold and biological nursing can be a lot easier than cradle for some people- have a look at you tube videos of the different positions, also worth looking up the flipple technique.

I can well recommend the ABM online course too- it’s a really good starting place.

Reverse pressure technique if boob's are hard and swollen when milk comes in.
Patience
Maybe express some milk first to make breast a bit more floppy so it's easier for baby to take a "bite" of boob easier

I am a size G pre pregnancy so massive when engorged. I struggled with no suffocating baby and I can't feed one handed. I hold baby and use other hand to support my boob and keep it off baby's nose. Now baby is 1 he does this bit himself as wiggles.
I used a feeding pillow and found rugby ball and in front were best positions. I couldn't feed lying down at all due to boob size and fear of suffocating him.
My sister is big boobed and had a lovely breastfeeding consultant who came to her house and helped her. So please don't give up and ask for help if needed

Ahhh thank you girls I have found a breastfeeding support group near me so will definitely be going to that and definitely going to try all theses techniques onces baby is here! Thank you all for your lovely advice x

I def think its harder with bigger boobs - I have small boobs (usually b cup) but watched by sisters breastfeed (they are E cup) and its harder, I think because latching is harder.

I loved breastfeeding DS1, and did it for about 16 months without issue; my tips would be;
-It is hard and uncomfy for first 1 to 2 weeks, just get through that stage
-take some paracetamol
-the best thing for sore nipples is more breastfeeding (really!)
-The best thing for low supply is breastfeeding (don't start pumping or supplimenting, waste of time with a newborn)
-If they've had more then 3-5 sucks and it still hurts, put your little fingers into their mouth and get them to relatch

By 6-8 weeks its really easy, especially when your night milk comes in

If it's painful at first try using silver cups. They were a bit expensive (but when I bought them I was desperate!) but they really really helped a lot with quick healing. I wore them when asleep, under a soft bra

Barrier cream and reapply often lanisolf (can't spell it) works a treat. Still feeing 14 mths on and it gets easier after first 3 weeks or so.
I couldn't express so gave up as it made me sore.
Speak to your hv etc and there are usually breastfeeding support groups, my local Costa has one I think and genuinely most people are fab.
Also you can still have a big wine or a coffee and breastfeed, which I learned later. No pump n dump.

I've fed both my boys and I have 36J boobs. It is tricky, especially when they're tiny. I used to often use a rolled up muslin to prop up my boob in the early days when they were small and needed help with latching and position. When they get bigger they'll start to manhandle you into their preferred position.

Every child is different. My first was in SCBU for a couple of weeks and it was hard to establish feeding. Had to use nipple shields for the first couple of months to help with his lazy latch but we carried on feeding until 2 years 3 months when I was pregnant with my second.

Second baby had a tongue tie. It was missed in hospital but an independent breastfeeding counsellor eventually picked it up and once that was sorted things got much better. Though it took ages to get over the resultant thrush. Baby 2 was much more prone to reflux and posseting too - my first hardly ever brought any milk up. I think my supply second time round was far stronger so he struggled a bit with that. He absolutely hated feeding lying down too (unlike my first) which was exhausting as co-sleeping didn't work well until he was at least 6 months. Nevertheless we're still feeding at 23 months.

My number one tip would be to have baby checked for tongue tie early on with a qualified person. Most midwifes and doctors are hopeless at recognising them.

Just to say a good on line resource is kellymom or DR jack newman. DEf recommend bf groups. Some peer supporters do home visits as well. (for free.)

@sometimesalways
What's silver cups?? Are they cooking pads??

@NanooCov
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice definitely going to take on board my boobs are about the same size so much me feel reassured that I will be able to do it 😊

@Hannahb123 ha They are those little silver thingies that you wear on your nipples and it helps the cracks heal faster. Apparently silver has healing properties. They are a bit weird to wear but I found they worked! I had these:
Silverette Nursing Cups - Soothing Sore Breasts or Cracked Nipples with Silver https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D4MWKNQ/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_HOQGDbZ4N41MD

I found Laying on your side and feeding works really well. Also rugby ball position on a feeding pillow.
For feeding when out I wear a vest underneath any top to pull one up and one done and hardly show any skin.
Good luck x

Thank you guys!! You have really helped and reassured me just want her here now so I can get going on all the advice 😂

Also, look up what is normal breastfed baby behaviour- the headbutting and screaming at your boob, the pulling off, thrashing around, crying like they've been starved, feeding for 45 minutes at a time, sleeping for 5 then feeding again- ALL TOTALLY NORMAL. Do not supplement in those circumstances as it will hinder your supply. Wet nappies, weight gain and a moist mouth are all the signs you need of a baby getting enough milk.