Breastfeeding problems

MommyMoru · December 2014

I know most FTM have trouble with this, however, I've not found any sound advice on how to feed when you have big breasts. Mine before birth were a D cup and with pregnancy went up to an H. Now that my milk is flowing they're even bigger. My LO was born December 3 and I've been trying to bf but am having trouble with getting my LO to latch on well due to my nipples being short, areoles being too big, and his mouth being so tiny. The nurses and midwives at my hospital have helped show me and said I'm doing well with technique but he just only gets nipple and it's caused a lot of pain and cracking already. I've resorted to pumping every 3-4 hours so he can at least get the milk through a bottle but I would love to not have to do that every time.

Any suggestions? I have found the football position works better than cradling and there's no way I can do the upright position because my nipples turn down because of the size.

VMac1984 · December 2014

Give a lactation consultant a call. Sounds to me like baby is having trouble latching because you are engorged. Try emptying some milk out before you feed LO. But I think your best bet is to have an LC actually there with you to assess what is going on.
I'm almost positive that short nipples and large areolas are not the issue.

NerdyNurse · December 2014

Try rolling up a burp cloth or small towel and putting it under your breast to lift up your nipples.

MaineMama · December 2014

Have you tried nursing laying down? You on your side, baby laying next to you. I find that's a really comfortable way to nurse. I've never been able to nurse hands free in any other position.

Also, find an iblc certified lactation consultant in your area for help, their services are covered by insurance and they have extensive education.

Cheekers2010 · December 2014

I have even larger breasts and successfully bf my son. Yes, it can be challenging in different ways then it would be for a smaller breasted woman but it will be ok. The size of your areoles really doesn't matter. I would trying squeezing a couple drops of milk out to get your baby really excited about latching. Then grasp and sandwich your nipple and help baby get as much as is comfortable in his mouth. I also think side lying is very comfortable. Check out kellymom.com for lots of bf'ing info. GL!

MommyMoru · December 2014

The thing with a consultation is, I live in Japan and my grasp of the language still isn't good. My husband is japanese and has to translate for me but he works during the week and can't really get off to go with me unless it's the weekend when their aren't appointments

it's the reason I was asking for some advice on here ._. I could always try to go see one by myself but it might be difficult ._.

As for lying down, I've not tried that because no one has mentioned it to me or shown me how. I'll look up a video and see what I can figure out on it. And I'll try expressing more milk before feeding to see if that helps too.

Jessie333 · December 2014

I was in the same boat as you with dd. She would not latch. It felt like every nurse in the maternity ward tried to help and were unsuccessful. I saw an rn who was a LC and she gave me a nipple and dd latched right away. So maybe that may be something to try. Keep in mind that when using a shield, you will still need to pump a few times a day to keep your supply up.

iloveac · December 2014

If football works the best, I'd keep that up. He won't nurse like that forever and that will help get you both comfortable with nursing. The more you offer the bottle the harder it will be it insure success nursing. DS nursed football style in the beginning bc it just seemed easier for both of us. I don't have as large of breasts as you but I do know how much pain you're enduring. I agree with of PP, contact an LC and definitely seek support from any friends IRL too that bf'd their babes. Good luck.

byrne15 · December 2014

Not this IS the answer for you, but I ended up using nipple shields because I couldn't stand the pain of the latch. A LC doesn't "like" for you to use them, but as a last resort, it was the only way to keep nursing ds. The pain was almost instantly eliminated with the shield. I did however, never nurse again without them. They are difficult to wean from to go back to not using them.

csjsmom · December 2014

I was at least that size with my first (bigger now). Early on the LC told me to pump first for a minute then latch baby. Pumping helped pull the nipple out a bit first. With both babies (and likely this third one), my nipples cracked, bled, peeled and then were fine. With my second my midwives recommended feeding on the "good" side and pumping and bottle feeding on the "more injured" side. I did that for a day or so. I only ever fed one side at a feeding. Also rub breast milk on your nipples after feeding and go topless for a while. I personally hate not wearing a bra but found the milk and sir time helped. I would guess it took 10-14 days before things toughened up and stopped hurting.

passionfruit1234 · December 2014

I have the same issue abd ruggt now have ti use a nipple shield and suppliment his feeds with pumped milk from a bottle. it is a pain though but necessary for me as my little one lost too much weight. I have an appointment with a lactation consultant in a few days time.

OhBaby+2013 · December 2014

I am an H/I so I can relate. With my first I used a nipple shield for a few weeks as it helped pull my nipple out. Then once DS#1 was feeding welli worked on getting him to e bare breast. The nipple shield totally saved me in the beginning as I have a short nipple on my left side that DS wasn't latching well too. Now wi DS#2 I have some issues on my left but I'm better prepared to deal with it this time. I was also a big football hold fan and still use it now when DS#2 is having a hard time latching. Dr. Newman has some great online resources that show images of how best to get baby latched and kellymom is also good. Hang in there, the first few weeks are tough but soon you will both figure it out and be on cruise control.

Beevol · December 2014

I was in the same boat with my daughter - my boobs were each a good deal larger than her head for a long time. I had to use two hands to BF plus a boppy/breastfeeding pillow. She would lie on the boppy, and I would hold her head with one hand and my boob with the other, pulling back on the areola so that the nipple stuck out more and so that I could angle it just right into her mouth. I also used nipple shields for a short time, but they didn't work super great for me. They might be helpful for you though.

I also would have to hand express a bit out before she could latch because her mouth was just too small and my boob just too full/big. I just expressed a bit into a burb cloth because it wasn't enough to be worth the hassle of dealing with a bottle. Once she started sleeping for longer stretches, I broke out the hand pump and would pull about an ounce off before trying her latch because otherwise she wouldn't be able to. After about 4-6 weeks, she was bigger and my supply evened out and it wasn't really a problem anymore.

Eora3 · December 2014

Laying down to feed has been great for us. I had a cs and kind of use a football hold while laying down (baby is almost standing up against my side). Then gravity can help baby latch while you sandwich your areola (pinch up above the areola and pull away from the nipple to help poke it out). Let baby root around for a minute while you aim your nipple under his/her nose. When baby opens up wide (like a big yawn), pull his/her head down and jam your nipple in his/her mouth.

ginger0917 · December 2014

The lactation consultant showed me about sandwiching your breast too (description of it here: https://feedthebabyllc.com/latch-and-positioning/)It is a way of grasping the breast yourself to make the nipple a little more accessible for their tiny mouths.
The most important thing is that lo is getting your antibodies, etc from the milk somehow (pumping or nursing). It's frustrating at times, but you can do this!! Hope this helps a little!

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