Big Boobies and Breastfeeding!

[sally12]

Hi everyone

I am in need of some help from any mums out there who are breastfeeding and have big boobs!

I am really keen to breastfeed but Im scared that i am going to be put off by the fact that nursing bras have no support. I bought some maternity bras when I got pg but I have to confess that I dont wear them and I am still wearing my underwired bras because I cant stand to have my boobs around my ankles

Can anyone recommend a good make to me? I normally shop online at either figleaves or bravissimo. I am a 32 G and so the high street is generally no good.

Really hoping someone can help because i want to breastfeed AND be allowed out in public

Thanks x

 

[lisa&alex]

hi un.. im big breasted.. and breastfed till 5 months.. motehrcare do some lovely feedign bras that are really supportive..and pretty.. hope there are others that can help xx

 

[andreag]

http://www.figleaves.com/us/product.asp ... %3A47%3A33

I have the above Anita maternity bra, which is underwired. It is so much better than the Mothercare ones I had last time which never felt very supportive. It is suitable for b/fing. Only available in white but you can't have everything!

I would also recommend you try the "rugby ball" or "clutch" hold - basically you hold the baby under your arm rather than in front of you and is recommended for larger breasted ladies. I found this much easier. Other than that, it wont be a problem.

 

[clarem]

I breastfed my daughter until she was 8 months old and was measured to be a 38K cup the month after having her! I completely got my size wrong when I guestimated what size nursing bras I would need when I bought them the month before having her and was completely unsupported in Markies 40G nursing bra. I ended up having a lady from a company called Bosom Buddies (based in Glasgow) come to my house to measure and supply and will never forget her face and the sympathy she had for me when she went to measure me.

She gave me Emma Jane make but also recommended Rolls Royce I think. The bras were not the prettiest but I felt so supported and could at least go out in public without feeling like they were out of control. Youc could also try Bravissimo - if you have a store they do a fitting service and specialise in larger chested bra's. Alternatively they have an online service.

I believe that I had feeding down to a discreet art (be selective about the tops you wear) so don't be put off by the fact that you have larger boobs. Try different holds - I kept trying the rugby hold as I believe it seems to be a better position you have larger breasts but I couldn't master it. The minute I put my daugher across my lap we were off and running but as I say the rugby hold appears to be better for the majority of us that are well endowed.

Good luck and enjoy - it gets easier and is a real joy once you have it sussed.

 

[Beatlesfan]

I was a 34L when breastfeeding and I found it so awkward in public. I think if I did have another I would prob feel less conscious. Indoors I just whopped by boobs out and laid Imogen on a pillow on my lap and it was great. When out it was harder. generally I found these things helped to manage it..

* Wearing a vest top under another top, then pulling the outside top UP and the vest top down with nursing bra to feed, keeps pretty much most things covered!!
* Finding a seat with arms...as I always needed one hand on my boob to position it for feeding (it flopped everywhere otherwise) and one arm to hold LO. Chairs with no arms were a nightmare... achey arms...
* I did buy a breastfeeding poncho...I tried it too late... Imogen got used to being "free" when feeding so the poncho was weird for her and she kept tryign to pull it off, but I would say give it a go...
* A muslin over the boob if uncovered in any way...most BFing mums do this I find for discretion.
*practice indoors first - especially the putting yourboob away bit!!! Takes a bit of practice to get it right and be discreet. Last thing I wanted was flashing my boobs about!!

I got my nursing bra from Leia in bluewater - it was a Royce bra.

Good luck with it hun, and also remember to take care with posture and your back...I have suffered with mine since I got pregnant and it was worse when BFing and when i finished. I wished I had tried to make more effort with my back at the time now.

 

[kellysomer]

I am normally 30F and am a 32G at the moment, i have been feeding Morgan for 7 and a half months now. I found Debenhams nursing bras are very good and if they fit properly they should still support you well. My advice is get fitted by someone other than mothercare. They measured me as a 40C (haha yeah right it didnt cover my nipple!) John Lewis, Debenhams and La Senza are good for fitting although La Senza dont do maternity bras.

 

[sally12]

Ah thanks so much for all your help I will look into all of your suggestions and try out all of your advice! Nice to know there are some nursing bras out there which will keep these Bad Boys under control! I am a self-conscious person at the best of times so breastfeeding in public scares the hell out of me but I know breastfeeding is the best thing for my little one and I am determined to give it my best shot!

Thanks again x

 

[jills10uk]

i'd say the most important thing is to get yourself measured properly by someone, im huge boobed and was dreading this also but my non underwired nursing bras (that i got fitted) are a fab support and i dont even notice im not wearingg underwire. id recommend freya from bravissimo or fig leaves.

 

[Clydesdaleclopper]

I'm afraid I don't share your problem [glares enviously] as I have just made it up to a 34C when feeding but if you want some gorgeous nursing bras try these http://www.hotmilklingerie.co.nz you can buy them from various UK suppliers.

 

[Spritzer]

i'm a H cup and i HATE not being able to wear normal bras that 'push them up' to where they should be.

i feel like they are at my knees but am just grinning and bearing it as i keep reminding myself its not going to last forever.

 

[cloud9]

i was at my biggest 36j .. i am now a 34h.
THe nct apparently do a measuring service but i was sorted by a breastfeeding worker in the hosp.

mothercare bras are crap for B/feeding imo

i got some mirriam stoppard bras from debenhams the other day in the sale and i like these as they are not a complete drop down cup so don't feel compltely exposed in it.

Bramissimo were very good though

i found the rugby hold so much more comfortable but Dylan never seemed to feeed well that way.

Beens big boobed can be an advantage when they are in bed you don't have to move so far so they can reach your nipple lol

 

[flowergirl]

I was worried that my boobs would expand and keep expanding! I was a 30F pre pregnancy and went up to 30G during the first couple of months and then stabilised. I stayed the same right up until my milk came in and I then went for a bigger back size and a bigger cup size to accommodate the slight increase in size- I now wear a 32G nursing bra by Royce and one by Freya. The Royce one feels more supportive as it is tighter around the ribs but this can also make it more uncomfortable after wearing it all day. I like the look of the Emily nursing bras (in Bravissimo) and would like to know if they're any good before I splash the cash!

I didn't like the total exposure of the Freya and Royce bras initially so also bought 2 of the Mirriam Stoppard bras from Debenhams as they don't show everything when you are trying to be discreet in public- problem is this range of bras fails to recognise that women have a back size which is less than 34" so I had to buy them in 34G. They are OK though but I can't wait to spend my £30 bravissimo voucer on a nice wired bra in a few months when LO has stopped wanting boob all day every day!

 

[sally12]

I love all these replies...thanks so much. Some great advice and it is nice to know that other people have the same worries as i do. I dont know what I would do without this place