[tattooedjess]

The trials and tribulations of having large breasts and trying to breastfeed - A Short Story
By Jessica H. Wilson
*giggle*

I have always had fairly large breasts. They are in my opinion, bulbus shaped. They have never been 'perky' and my nipples have always been really low and my nipples have been inverted. During pregnancy, however, they became everted and even my nurse complimented how well they were shaped for breastfeeding. The first couple of days of breastfeeding were good. We only supplemented half ounces here and there just to fill her up because the colostrum wasn't enough. She latched on very well and ate like a trooper. After my foremilk came in, it became a little harder and I was having to start pumping. Still, she was taking the breast and the Haberman off and on. But, now that my hind milk has come in, my breasts have become severely engorged and my nipples will not stay everted. Evie was born with a really deep pallet and needs to feel the nipple on the roof of her mouth and when my breasts are full, there is just no way they happens and she gets frustrated really fast. The only way now that she will take the breast is after I pump and my breasts are soft and then my nipple will stay everted. But, by that time she is full from eating from the bottle and only nurses the breast to fall asleep. So, today I have left a message with the lactation consultants. Two of them helped me at the hospital and were great, so I am anxious to see what their suggestions are. As much as I really really want her to take my breast, I knew from the beginning that I may not have the perfect situation. Its frustrating and I cry about it, but we get through it... all of us... Evie, Daddy, Nanny and Mommy. Who knows, when she gets a bit bigger she may want the breast more. I won't stop trying, but I know its okay if I just pump too. If we have to pay the moneyto rent a hospital pump, then we will... I can live with that. I just want to stop supplementing all together and then I will feel better about the situation. But, now that my milk is in, it shouldn't be a problem.

In other news... Evie had her first pediatrician appointment and she screamed the whole time. But, we really like the doctor and he said he was very pleased with her progress and is a beautiful, healthy baby.

[Mary Beth]

Though my nipples have never been inverted I too have very large breasts. You'll find that most breastfeeding books recommend against the so called "cigarette" hold in favor of the C hold. Supposedly the ciggarette hold, having your nipple between two fingers rather than cupping your breast in your hand, can contribute to plugged ducts.

HOWEVER, I find that when I use that hold during the newborn period I have better control and am better able to get all that extra tissue out of the baby's way. I don't know if it has any effect on inverted nipples, but it might be worth a try.

I've never gotten plugged ducts either. I suspect that the abundant padding of the larger breast may protect the ducts when I'm using that hold.

Best news of all -- engorgement only lasts a few days so hopefully your nipples will soon be back to a more suitable shape.

[crystalclear]

Aww, Jess! ((HUGS)) It sounds like you're doing everything you can to keep this working as close to the way you want it as possible. Hope you hear back from the lactation consultants soon. I wish I had some good advice! You've got my moral support though. I know you and Evie can find a way to make it work for both of you. Good Luck, hun.

Poor Evie screaming through her first peds appointment. Though honestly, there are some days when I still want to do that. lol Glad to hear she's doing so well, and you like the doc!

[glasscandie]

You could have your pediatrican write a script for a pump, then I'm pretty sure your insurance would cover it. Ours will, at least, b/c we were considering renting one before she figured out how to latch. Sounds like you're doing a great job, keep it up! The most important thing is she's getting your milk!

[Kelly]

Good Luck, I have always had large breasts too. I couldn't take the pain and I just wanted them to shrink. Now they are smaller than they were before! I love it! Maybe they won't ever go back to 36 D or above again!

[~Casey~]

Jess, I feel your pain, girl! I don't have inverted nipples, but I had a whole slew of other issues. I give you big points in my book for trying so hard to make it work. I tried as long as I could emotionally take it. I found myself feeling angry at Grace because the nursing wasn't going well, and that is when I knew it was time to switch. Good luck, and good for you for sticking it out!

[LisaLisaBoBisa]

i have the exact same problem so now i just pump and bottle feed her what i pump which is a crapload and everytime we opent he freezer milk comes falling out

[#5in2005]

I always pump before my baby nurses too when I am engorged, because they just can't seem to latch on to this big hard boob, plus when it first comes down then it just sprays all over, and they can't handle that either. They always say to drink to your thirst, but I drink as little as I possibly can, since I am so plentyfull. I usually pump a little bit, and then (I am going to confess a sin) just throw it out, and then let the baby nurse.
Good Luck with it all.

[writinghoosier]

You gotta do what you gotta do, Jess. I actually made the decision to pump 6 times a day and feed Keegan from a bottle. It's not because he wasn't latching or things hurt... it's just that with his little body and my large breasts, I spent more time trying to hold my weight off of him (we had to modify the football hold on my right side) and I wasn't able to really connect with him during the feeding time. This is the first day we have totally done the bottle thing, and I admit, I miss it, but I find myself really seeing him and his personality coming through now that I don't worry about smothering him. I know it may be an unfounded fear, but it's one I have, so I'm dealing!

I figure he thriving, and that's what is most important... man is he thriving... little chow downer!!! Hang in there and do what works for you!

[LisaLisaBoBisa]

Originally posted by writinghoosier@Oct 5 2005, 01:47 PM
You gotta do what you gotta do, Jess. I actually made the decision to pump 6 times a day and feed Keegan from a bottle. It's not because he wasn't latching or things hurt... it's just that with his little body and my large breasts, I spent more time trying to hold my weight off of him (we had to modify the football hold on my right side) and I wasn't able to really connect with him during the feeding time. This is the first day we have totally done the bottle thing, and I admit, I miss it, but I find myself really seeing him and his personality coming through now that I don't worry about smothering him. I know it may be an unfounded fear, but it's one I have, so I'm dealing!

I figure he thriving, and that's what is most important... man is he thriving... little chow downer!!! Hang in there and do what works for you!
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[/quote]

same thing happened when i was nursing Ariana at the hospital i had to hold my boob a certain way to make sure she could breath and it was so hard to do that while she ate

[writinghoosier]

Originally posted by ocean_o_curls+Oct 5 2005, 11:18 PM-->

same thing happened when i was nursing Ariana at the hospital i had to hold my boob a certain way to make sure she could breath and it was so hard to do that while she ate
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Did you feel like you weren't able to really connect with her? Maybe it's just me.. and I have to admit, there is a part of me that liked the old way... it was so much easier... but I think, in the long run, this will be best for all of us... and I am pumping... hopefully my milk will continue to increase... it should, since it gets emptied every time... and I'm doing heat compresses and warm showers to stimulate the flow... man, mommyhood is crazy!

[Mary Beth]

Originally posted by ocean_o_curls+Oct 6 2005, 12:18 AM-->

same thing happened when i was nursing Ariana at the hospital i had to hold my boob a certain way to make sure she could breath and it was so hard to do that while she ate
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That's where that "forbidden" ciggarette hold comes in for me. When using that hold it naturally depresses the extra tissue in front of the baby's nose so that there are no worries about whether the baby can or can't breathe.

One or two weeks is far too soon to make any permanent decisions about breastfeeding. Its a learned process just like anything else we do. We didn't learn to touch type, navigate the internet, drive, program our VCRs, or other such things the moment we first tried. It took a while to get comfortable and longer than that to make them second nature. And the awkwardness of engorgement only lasts a few days or a week.

During this learning period don't be afraid to experiment with positions. I'll confess that I have NEVER managed to use the football hold -- not once, not even for a single feeding. My arms are too short and my breasts are too large. I mainly nurse cradle hold and sidelying but sometimes use a semi-sidelying position I disovered where I can be propped upright on several pillows with the baby up on a pillow that actually allows me to free both hands at once.

It doesn't matter if the position you're using is one of the approved and recommended ones. What matters is that it works.

As the baby grows and learns to do his/her part more effectively you will need to pay less and less attention to your hold and you will no longer need to support your breast as your bra or even the baby himself/herself will do it. Its only during the first few weeks that breastfeeding takes concentrated attention -- just like mastering any other task.

[Violettesmumm]

I agree with Mary Beth. Personally, I used the "cigarette" hold to nurse Violette. These puppies were pushing EE, so I understand about the huge breasts. I never had lucky with the football hold, either. I did use the cradle hold, and most times, I would lay on my side and nurse that way. When I started working, I had to start pumping. At first she still nursed, but not too long after, she wouldn't take the breast anymore. I was devistated! But when I got to thinking about it, I felt better. Even though I wasn't getting that same connection, I got a different one...that was just as good. I could pump for her, and still nourish her with my milk. No matter how you choose to do things (there are so many ways..pumping to just bottle feed, pumping so others can feed, or formula) you will always have a special connection to your little girl or boy.

[WPmomma]

While mine are not necessarily "huge"--I can relate to your post, especially this:

They have never been 'perky'[/b]

Me neither--not even when they were small in puberty have I gotten the fun of having perky ones. Bras have always been a necessity for me.

Thanks for posting your thoughts, Jess.

[tattooedjess]

I am going to see the lactation consultant tomorrow and I am just gonna keep trying and giving it my best.

Thank you everyone for the encouragement and advice... they will both be put to good use!

[mommyoffive]

Popping over from Sept!

I have inverted nipples but not large breast! After your first week of breastfeeding your breast should not be engorged anymore, they will soften up. Also your nipples should remain out, mine have! And once you get past the rawish nipples breastfeeding becomes much easier. As far as supplementing I would not worry to much about it, I would just offer the breast first, then the bottle. Because I have twins I choose to partial breastfeed till they were older then I will wean out the formula. Try self expressing a bit when you feel engorged or pumping. Instead of waiting till she is screaming to eat.

Hope your Lactation Consulant gives you some helpful idea! Good luck.

[tattooedjess]

I don't know what happened but she latched on and stayed on a couple of times today and I am so happy. You guys are right. My breasts aren't as engorged as they were and I think she prefers the taste of mommy's nummies over formula! I am keeping my fingers crossed that she keeps it up!

[Mary Beth]

That's wonderful to hear!

As I said, breastfeeding is a learned skill for both of you and it takes a little while to get it coordinated.

The more she'll nurse the faster the engorgement will go away so encourage her to nurse every time she shows even the first and faintest of nursing cues -- rooting, attempts to get her first to her mouth, sucky motions with her lips, etc.

[glasscandie]

Go baby go!

[~Casey~]

How did it go a with the lactation lady today?