free shipping on purchases over R500We all know that breasts naturally come in different shapes and sizes. If you’re someone with larger boobs, you may find breastfeeding tricky for a number of reasons, and you’re not alone!
It’s a common misconception that if you have bigger boobs, breastfeeding will come naturally, and you won’t have any milk supply issues. Often this isn’t the case! Everyone’s breastfeeding journey is unique, and there are some specific challenges that people with big boobs face.
If you’re worried about breastfeeding your baby or struggling with it, read on for some top tips and advice on breastfeeding with larger boobs.
The challenges of breastfeeding with big boobs
People with large breasts often encounter some unique issues when breastfeeding, these can include:
- Issues with latching: To achieve a good latch, your baby needs to be able to get lots of your areola in their mouth. If you’ve got big boobs, they may have a hard time getting their mouth open wide enough to get a deep enough latch. Finding a good position to latch in can also be harder with larger breasts.
- Visibility problems: If you’ve got bigger boobs, your line of sight can be blocked while breastfeeding. This can then make it tricky for you to help your baby latch and to monitor their feeding once they’re latched.
- Suffocation concerns: You may worry about your baby’s nose getting blocked by your breasts as they feed.
- Pain occurring in the neck and back: You may think it’ll be easier to bring your breast to your baby to help them feed, but if you have larger boobs, this can actually cause neck, shoulder, and back pain. Not what you need as a busy parent!
In addition to the above, breastfeeding with big boobs can still throw up the same issues affecting other breastfeeding parents.
These can include…
- Mastitis
- Clogged milk ducts
- Thrush
- Engorgement
- Sore or cracked nipples
What are the best positions for breastfeeding with big breasts?
For those with large boobs, some breastfeeding positions may be easier and more comfortable than others.
These include…
Side lying: Lying down on your side, this is a popular position with those who’ve had a C-section or have larger breasts. It takes the weight off the breast (or stomach) and it’s easier to get your breasts to your baby’s level. It’s also easier on your back and shoulders since you’re not hunched over.
Football, rugby, or clutch hold: In this position, your baby is supported at the side of your body (like how a football or rugby player carries a ball). If you’re feeding from the right boob, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side. Then, put their head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm. Gently hold the base of their head with your right palm – popping a cushion underneath your right arm can help support their weight. To protect your back, don’t lean down to your baby, bring them to you instead. Reverse this process for your left boob.
Laid-back breastfeeding or biological nurturing: A position that encourages a baby-led latch, laid-back breastfeeding requires a reclined position and baby opens their mouth wide to latch themselves onto the breast. Leaning back allows your breast tissue to flatten away from baby’s nose. Your neck, back, and shoulders are also well-supported in this position, meaning your body gets a much-needed break!
- If you’re sat down, lean back or recline on a sturdy surface, but don’t lie flat on your back.
- Let your baby lie on your tummy with their body fully supported. If you’ve had a caesarean delivery, you can lie your little one on one side away from your scar.
- Maintain contact between you and baby, but don’t apply pressure to their neck or back. As you relax into the chair or bed, your baby will relax too.
- You’ll notice that your baby’s feet and legs will find something to push against – your leg, hand, or the bed.
- They’ll nuzzle or bob their head from side to side until they locate your nipple, then open their mouth wide to latch on.
C-Hold: Another thing that can help you breastfeed with larger boobs is the C-hold. This technique supports your breast and aims your nipple toward baby’s mouth, making latching on easier.
- Place your boob in the palm of your hand.
- Put your thumb on the top.
- Cup your fingers around the bottom.
- Your hand should be in the shape of the letter C.
- Keep your thumb and fingers behind your areola (the darker skin around your nipple) so they don’t get in the way of baby’s mouth as they feed.
What else can I do to make breastfeeding with bigger boobs easier?
In addition to finding the right position to breastfeed, you can also try:
- Getting prepared before baby arrives: Taking a breastfeeding class when you’re pregnant can really help boost your confidence and helps you learn different feeding positions and holds.
- Supporting your boobs with the right kind of bra: No one likes underwear that’s uncomfortable, and comfort when you’re breastfeeding is more important than ever. A supportive, well-fitting nursing bra in the correct size holds up the weight of your breasts and helps minimise back pain.
- Use a mirror to help you: If you’re struggling to see your baby latch due to your larger breasts, you may want to feed in front of a mirror so you can see what’s happening.
- Soften your boobs if they’re hard and uncomfortable: If your breasts are engorged, you can use a breast pump or hand express some of your milk before you feed. This softens your boobs and makes it easier for your little one to latch on.
- Bring in a pillow: Pillows can support baby and your breasts in the early days when you’re both learning how to breastfeed. Supporting and lifting your breast helps to keep baby’s nose clear so they can breathe and swallow correctly. On the flip side, some people with bigger breasts find that benefit of having large boobs is that there’s no need for pillows, and their baby can be held lower during a feed, with their weight supported on the lap. It’s just a case of experimenting to see what works best for your both.
Does having larger breasts mean I’ll produce more milk?
No, this is a common breastfeeding myth! The size of your boobs, large or small, doesn’t influence their milk-making abilities. In truth, people with large breasts can still suffer from both under and overproduction of milk.
Your boobs are made up of fatty tissue, glandular tissue, and connective tissue. The size of your breasts reflects how much fatty tissue there is, and it’s actually the glandular tissue in your breasts which makes milk.
For some, breastfeeding is easy from the start. For others, it takes a little more time and effort to get the hang of – regardless of breast size!
What can cause milk supply problems?
- Low breast milk supply: Certain conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), obesity, hypothyroidism, and insulin resistance can affect production of breast milk.
- Too much breast milk: An overabundant milk supply can cause issues for both you and your baby. Too much milk can lead to breast engorgement and pain, which can then make it very difficult for your baby to latch on.
If you’re worried about your breastmilk supply, make sure you reach out to a medical professional like your midwife, health visitor or a lactation consultant for support.
How can I increase or improve my breast milk supply?
If you are wanting to increase your milk supply, there are a few things you can try.
- Eat ‘lactogenic’ foods: Some foods in particular are thought to help increase your breast milk supply. These include…
- Grains like oats, cornmeal, and barley.
- Seeds and nuts like sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and almonds.
- Vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, potatoes, and lettuce.
- Fruits like peaches, nectarines, apricots, and cherries.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Dehydration can affect your milk supply, so drink enough liquids – at least six to eight glasses of water a day.
- Give your baby lots of cuddles: Skin-to-skin contact with your baby can make your body release hormones that stimulate breast milk production.
- Breastfeed when your baby wants: Your boobs make more milk in response to demand. So, responding to your little one’s feeding cues (such as sucking on their fingers and ‘rooting’) can help form a good milk supply.
- Use a breast pump: Expressing is a great way to stimulate the production of more breast milk. You can also save some time and increase milk supply when pumping by using a breast pump to express milk from your breast.
- Feed from both boobs: Offer your baby both breasts if you can, and when they slow down or stop feeding from one, offer them the other. You can also switch which boob you begin each feed with.
If you’re struggling to breastfeed your baby, don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. Lactation consultants, breastfeeding support groups, other parents, and local resources can all offer support on your breastfeeding journey.
