Small Breasts affect BFing?

LoveMaBaybee · December 2011

Hyfagal:
greengirl0909:
JNBrickey:
OctGirl80:
greengirl0909:
I think too many harsh comments are being sent palmtree's way. Sure, there are people who struggle with supply. There are some women who cannot physically breastfeed.
I agree with her statement, if it doesn't work for you, just say so. I'm not gonna judge you. Feed your kid. But I think it's insulting to women who DO make it work to act like it's not an accomplishment, that it's just luck of the draw, well your body could and mine couldn't. It takes time and effort. I don't know your story, only you do, just say, didn't work for us and move on.

I'm sorry, are we reading the same thread? I don't think anyone said that it was "Luck of the Draw". We all KNOW it takes effort, that's what we're saying.

As for Palmtree's statements, let's see:
The days of our parents saying "I couldnt produce enough milk to keep up!" Are just simply no more. We've PROVEN this theory wrong.

Nothing gets under my skin worse than the un-educated mothers who say, "I tried, really I did. I wanted to do it.. my milk just never came in." or "I just couldnt make enough" Because it's flat out just not true.

But don't blame your body.

The only thing than can stop you from ebf, is YOU.

Those statements are complete and utter BS and what everyone is flaming her for.

Apologies for the formatting. My computer must be annoyed as well.

Amen. Some women's bodies don't let them BF and it's devastating for them. Shame on anyone who wants to make them feel worse about it.
Here's the thing I think some folks are missing: I'm not saying all women who say they have a low supply are liars, or are making it up, or whatever. I'm saying that SOME women use it as an reason when it isn't true for them. I think some DOCTORS tell women they have a low supply because the doctor's themselves aren't informed enough about breastfeeding to provide support and help.
My purpose in making this post isn't to make anyone feel bad. YOU know your situation. If you gave it your best and it didn't work, then don't harbor guilt for it and don't let some random internet stranger make you feel bad.
HOWEVER- I want new moms who've never breastfed to know that there can be LOTS of challenges to breastfeeding. If you want to breastfeed and you hit a stumbling block, seek out help. My pediatrician told me repeatedly he thought my supply was low. My OB told me yeah, looks like it's just not going to work. I got some other support, I exclusively breastfed past a year. I don't want new moms to come on here and go, wow lots of women can't breastfeed because they don't make enough and start worrying about it and be unsuccessful. I want all moms to reach their goals, whatever they are.

if this is how you feel you shouldn't be defending Palmtree. She is claiming women that can't BF are lying and uneducated, but she's probably just so full of BFing passion she can't see her own ignorance. It's sad really.

I love you Hyfa, and completely agree.

rimjob · December 2011

This is just full of crazy... Palmtree- you are full of "know it all attitude" but you are not full of the logic to back it up. Plain and simple, you went to far and lumped all BF/EP fails into one group. I wanted to BF/P so very badly with E. She was born 3 weeks early via e c/s and then wisked away to a NICU that was 2 hrs away from me. By the time that I was released and got to her to nurse she was already 3 days old and taking formula. I pumped the whole time we were apart and nursed her as soon as I could. My supply took a while to come in and she had issues where she couldn't take in more than a certain amount or she would throw it all back up. For this reason I started pumping so that I could make sure she wasn't being overfed. That resulted in a super over supply so that by the time that she could nurse the milk was overwhelming for her. I continued to EP for almost 4 months and then I had to give it up or I would have been commited. True story. I cried all the time. I was either washing pump parts, pumping, or feeding my baby from a bottle. She had severe colic and would scream for hours on end. She screamed while I pumped which made the process even worse. I slowly put her on formula and the day that I chose to do so was the most relaxed I had been since the day she was born. Long story short, you don't know my life!

etude de la vie · December 2011

I am an A cup and ebfed my DD for 9 months. I got pg despite never having a period and on the mini pill! My supply dropped and I weaned onto formula.

I could have fed triplets my supply was so enormous (my bra size bfing was a C cup).

With DS I ebfed but had got Mastitis 5 TIMES in 3 months! I was trying to stay hydrated, take care of 2 kids 16 months apart with a DH who works 70 hours a week, trying to keep up while running a 103 degree fever and sicker than I have ever been in my life! Experiencing this 5 times made me realize it just didn't work this time.

I weaned DS at 4 months and it was the best decision I made! Everyone kept telling me "don't feel bad, don't blame yourself" and all I thought was "I am so happy and relived!" I was constantly at a LC consultant and I know many "breastfed until you die" kind of women say I could have worked through it, but I came to the realization I wasn't a good mommy and I shouldn't always be this sick.

If you can bfed great, but don't feel bad if you don't. Having both experiences I see the pros/cons to each. Both kids are healthy and happy (and so is mommy) and that is all that really matters.

aewood97 · December 2011

Hyfagal:
I've actually heard from many women it's easier to breastfeed with smaller boobs. For positioning mostly. I have DDs that got even bigger when my milk came in and it was hard to position her. I had to try to hold her in one hand and my giant knocker in the other. I couldn't cradle her without smothering her with boob.

LOL! I have the chest of a pre-teen girl, just starting to go through puberty, yes, very sad. However, with DD, I was able to BF exclusively for 10 months and I certainly could have gone longer! Also, the positioning thing was super easy and I never created a "show" out in public as it was very easy to be discrete.

CupcakeKaper · January 2012

Wow, how closed minded of you. There truly are women who are unable to produce for various reasons. I know women who would sit attached to a pimp for hours at a time every day and only get 2 oz. a day. This wasn't an excuse for them and it was heartbreaking for them not to be able to breast feed when they wanted to do badly. Yes, for some it can be an excuse, but not for everyone and I think you are up there pretty far on your high horse to be so judgmental and assuming.

jmpole · January 2012

I have small breasts too (small B before pregnancy and a true B during pregnancy) and my Dr. said that breast size has nothing to do with the amount you produce. It has way more to do with having a healthy diet and drinking tons of water. I am on bed rest at the hospital at 31 weeks today and I will have to start out pumping for at least a month. I'm happy to know that breastfeeding with small breasts can be done. You just have to be dedicated:)

Want a personalized experience?

Small Breasts affect BFing?

Re: Small Breasts affect BFing?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards