Large breasts ...bubs slipping off

Hi ladies,

I have rather large breasts at the best of times but they have become so much bigger now that i'm breast feeding. I am having issues attaching bubby sometimes , not sure if it's because my breasts are so big that he can't get his mouth around them or if it's because they are so full, big and heavy that it's making it hard to get him to the breast and the breast to his mouth and keep it there ...he seems to slip off it all the time.
I ended up laying down to feed yesterday and it worked great once we both worked out the correct position, he feed for 50 mins on one side then about 15mins on the other side .....then slept for 7hrs :)

Can anyone share any advice on good positions for feeding with large breasts ??

I find having pillow on my knee and using hand on same side as boob to support boob in baby's mouth. If I let go it slips out. If I am out and dont have pilliow i cross legs and lie baby on folded up blanket or jumper for height.

Have done this for both babies, DS1 of course is much easier now at 21 months.

Feeb, i have been using a pillow and it does help. I was out today and had a little trouble getting him to attach but i didn' think to cross my legs so will give that a go next time .... it's the first time i have ever had to feed in public so i was probably a little nervous too which wouldnt have helped the situation.

Your amazing not only feeding one bubba but two at once.... well done :)

Feeding in public is very stressful at first but it will get easier!!!

Thanks it is a bit crazy at times BF 2 as DS1 gets very demanding and is boobie obsessed!! only if at home and I sit down thought!!!

Good luck with it, its annoying when you cant get bubs on and to stay on easily like you see so many do especially in BF videos! Damm big boobs!!!

I am doing some feeds lying down to slow down the flow for bub. The M&CH nurse said it is good to sit up to finish the feed to make sure you drain the boob (to keep mastitis away).

My bub also has trouble attaching when my breast is really full. When they are really bad, i have to express off a little. Now i can usually hold breast (with hand from same side) and hold bub in other arm and support breast so bub can attach ok.

Good work on public breastfeeding!

take care,

Kate

Hi Westy

I'm only new to the whole breast feeding thing.......a week :) but found only way I'm comfortable feeding and can get her to attach at moment is rugby hold with a pillow to support her. Sometimes I also roll up a wrap or small blanket and put under my breast to "hold" it up a bit.

I had a visit with midwife today and she assured me I'd eventually be able to get her to attach using front hold.

It's definitely a bit tricky getting the hang of it, isn't it.

Like feeb, I use a pillow and support the breast with my hand, or just cross my legs when I'm out. She still gets a much better feed at home with the 'milky pillow' though, so I only ever do 2 feed max out, or else chuck the pillow in the car and go back there to feed. I've also found that I have to expose a bit more of the boob than an average size chested woman to enable bubs to get a latch - not great in public but it's one of those things you just have to suck up and get on with, and in time you just forget it's awkward!

I also used a rolled up facewasher under my boob in the beginning, which was great for allowing hands free for getting everything else right.

Good luck... It does get easier as time goes on :)

I did exactly the same as Phoenix and it worked really well. Cushion to my side or pillow and rest bub on there and in the football grip. Once we both got better at feeding I could do it in cradle position but she always got the best feed in the fottball hold position also the breast didnt smother her then either.

When out I had a few tricks. Nappy bag with a blanket on top can double as a support underneath bub (if your nappy bag isnt to lumpy or I found sitting on the floor (if appropriate) with my legs crossed like a school kid helped support DD better in the cradle hold.

HTH. It will get easier for both of you :hug:

oops double post

Feeb, my thoughts exactly...damn big boobs :)

Kate, thanks for the tip about sitting up to finish the feed off i didn't know that so i will be doing that from now on whenever i do feed laying down. I must say i was pretty pleased with my first ever public breastfeeding efforts.

Phoenix, i'm a newbire to the whole breastfeeding thing myself although this is my third baby this is the first time i have actually been able to breastfeedim onto day 8 today :) I was told of the towel/blanket to hold the breast up while in hospital and i have used it a few times now and it work well - sometimes!

BellaBambina, thanks for your support. Like the idea about the nappy bag. :)

Balmaingal, it sure is a little bit tricky to begin with but im sure with time and practice it will only get easier. I know what you mean about having to expose more of the breast, that doesnt bother me (although i though it would) as i have cme to realise that my baby needs to be feed and if it means more boobie showing then so be it.

Thanks everyone for the support its good to know i can come here and ask lots of questions and know that someone will be able to help, so thanks to each of your for taking the time and replying and helping me find my way around the world of breastfeeding!

Well done on finding something that works for you hun. Big boobs certainly can make things much harder :hug:

One of the common problems for bigger breasted mums is that the nipple can fall out of the baby's mouth easily if she follows the traditional "chest to chest" position. If you look at yourself topless in the mirror, you will probably notice that the position of your nipples means that the nipple is not close enough to the baby in the chest to chest position. Many mums have a lot of success with rolling the baby towards them more, so that the baby's top cheek is away from the breast. Doing this in front of the mirror to start with can make it easier.

There are some other tips here - Australian Breastfeeding Association - Breastfeeding With Large Breasts.

Of course, if feeding lying down works for you, that's a good idea - although not so helpful in public LOL!

Keep up the great work hun.

As well as what others have suggested (football hold, supporting breast with rolled up nappy or similar) I also used the "C hold" to shape my nipple area a bit as suggested by LC. I did have flat nipples though so that could have been more for that.