For those VERY well endowed...

[croleRN]

OK - so I have to start a group to support those of us whose breasts are
HUGE!!!
I know many friends who are smaller cup sized - and think having very large breasts is wonderful. But if you can rest your chin on your chest (and not because you are uber flexible) - you understand why it is not so fun.

So if you'd like to join the group; feel free - hopefully we can support each other in pain (literally).

I currently have been sized at 34K; third child (bigger w/ each)
I am a small person - 5'3" and already am developing (probably) permanent issues. Back, neck pain, headaches - even chest pain at times.
What about trying to find clothes to fit - bras; shirts; OMG - bathing suits! Or a nice dress - it is impossible.

I can't wait until I am done nursing - so I can seriously have surgery. But since my kids nurse at least 2-3 years; that won't be anytime soon.

[akind1]

I am not as large, I am a 40G. but my friends do not understand my nursing bra struggles! They say, try walmart, or Motherhood. Neither carries bras, or good bras, in my size. I was a DD before pregnancy and I don't understand why most nursing bras only go up to DD -

I love my new Bravado Bliss bra!it was alot cheaper than the anita I tried.

I am plus size do tops are ok to find, but if I was tiny with big boobs, it would be alot more difficult!

[Ambystoma]

Sigh. I'm a 34G before baby, and not really fitting into my bras now. But, I fear getting re-measured.

Yep, went bathing suit shopping today. I am thinner than I have been in 5 years due to breastfeeding I guess and I would be super excited about bathing suits except for the stretch marks (not to mention giant basooms). But I generally could buy separates but I am embarrassed of showing off my stretch marked belly. And I'm sure you all know how 1 pieces do. I think I may have found something workable for a decent price.

Anyone else have family members try to convince them your boobs would smother your baby to death while breastfeeding? I would laugh...

[slsurface]

So glad to come across this! Me and a friend of mine IRL are currently dealing with this. We are both currently size H/I. I've got my second LO on the way (only 3 more weeks), my friend had a baby boy in January. The biggest irritation is finding a nursing bra that fits and is relatively comfortable. Luckily I just found a boutique in my area that sells bras in our size - so I don't have to resort to online shopping for a bra any more. The other issue is that both of us are fairly tall and thin and shirts in our size are far, far too small in the chest. I really need tailored shirts, but can't possibly afford such a thing!

[BallardBaby]

Hi ladies! I'm not quite as big as you gals (40 DDD) but have definitely had my share of nursing difficulties because of my size. I also have tiny nipples, making nursing very challenging for me and baby. In fact, my 11-month-old daughter has nursed exclusively on the nipple shield for her entire life. I am grateful for this invention and think I would be just pumping her bottles without it! It was really sad for the first few months as I was always trying to get off the shield, and even now I still try to encourage her to go without, but it is just not happening!

I remember when one of the many lactation consultants came to our house when my dd was just one day old and she tried to convince me that the football hold would be easiest to start with. She was like, OK, use your hand to hold baby's head, then use your other hand to hold your breast up, and then use your other hand to make a C-shape with your nipple and I was like, which hand?? I only have two! She looked seriously flummoxed! Did I mention she had eensy teensy breasts?

Anyway, the second consultant was much better and she taught me how to side-lie and said that bigger-busted gals often need their hubbies to supply that "third hand" for the first few weeks. It made me feel so much better! I have also noticed that side-laying nursing is a challenge for our smaller-busted friends, so that's one thing we've got going for us!!

I wanted to mention quickly to you guys that Glamourmom just made a "bigger bust" version of their extra long nursing tank. I absolutely love it! Hope it helps some of you mamas!

[croleRN]

Glad to hear there are more of US out there!
Someone else had a thread going for nursing bras for bigger sizes. Fancee Free & Goddess are the ones I have used. The one Anita bra I tried ran very small; although it was with my first or second babe - can't remember. But even when trying to find a non-nursing bra - can be very difficult!!

Today - it was very hot and humid -leaning over to wipe off the baby (sitting in the bouncer) and I actually got very lightheaded when I tried to stand up. I totally felt all of the weight in my neck. I am hoping - that as I loose some of the pregnancy weight - that I can loose in the bustline too. I know that the majority of my bust size is Not mammary (milk-making) tissue; but adipose (fat). And with my first daughter - that happened...I was actually smaller than before pregnancy!

Ballard Baby - I did see that new tank; had I been the size I was w/ my first (34F) or even second (34H); I probably would try it. But I am beyond help now. But it looks great!

[akind1]

Side lying at first was a challenge, because of the big-boobness I couldn't see DS's latch. We finally figured it out around 3 months - when he started really being able to latch without much help from me.

What is with the football hold? the LC at the hospital also encouraged this, since I was obviously large chested and had had a c-section (typical intervention spiral, I knew it would happen if I was induced, but went all the way to 42 weeks, and ran out of options!) - it worked ok in the hospital but felt so . . .unnatural!

what worked really well for us at first was the cross cradle hold, supporting baby with opposite hand and directing the boob with boob-sided hand (left breast, use left hand for boob). Now that he is bigger, we just use the regular cradle hold.

before I really figured how great cami's are, I got nursing tops from Motherwear. now I just use a cami under a looser top, and pull the cami down and the shirt up to nurse.

The salesperson at Motherhood was like, you can find bras online (on their website) in your size. I was like, NOOOO, I can't! I looked already.

do any of you do underwire? I have been avoiding it (and sort of missing it - lift and separate, anyone?) for fear of mastitis and clogged ducts.

[KristyDi]

I'm currently a 40F which is down some from just after dd was born. I was a G then.

I gave up on nursing bras all together and just wore XXL Target nursing tanks all the time. They aren't very supportive and give me a uni-boob, but they're cheap and I don't have to fuss with ordering online and sending back what dosen't work.

Now that I almost never have to NIP (dd is 2) I just wear normal bras. At home I'm always bra-less. I always wear underwire bras. I like this one because if I need to NIP it pulls aside pretty easily. Although looking at that site it appears they don't have my size anymore

[akind1]

I was wearing Lane Bryant bras while pregnant and pre-pregnancy. My problem was the G sized UW bra fabric came up really high on the sides and that was extremely uncomfortable.

Yeah, I have given into the uniboob. the Anita and Bravado Bliss aren't quite uni-boob. instead of pure straight across, it is like two hills, but doesn't go completely flat in the middle like with an underwire.

[wishin'&hopin']

Hi there, yup 36/38 J here...sigh. And, I've ordered a couple of bras (oh, I hope they come soon!) from motherwear to try out (I already have a Goddess bra in my size, I'm the one who posted the nursing bra question). The lane bryant bras gave me a horrible rash so I won't wear those and I have a back ordered bra I ordered so long ago from birth and baby that I don't remember what style it was.

Otherwise, thanks for starting this thread!

The football hold didn't work for us at all...and it was what the LC at the hospital suggested. We do the classic cradle hold with my opposite hand supporting my breast. Sometimes I set the baby in the dip in my lap when sitting cross legged and nurse him so that he's a bit more upright.

My biggest complaint of the moment tho' is that I NEED 2 hands to nurse...and I don't see that changing. I had images of reading while nursing--and who are these folks who can NAK?!

[Carhootel]

soooo happy to see this thread! I'm a 36I right now and like the OP I plan on getting surgery when I'm done breastfeeding all the kids I'll have, which is one more (maybe 2). I don't have any real serious issues/pain yet but I do have a little, I'm actually amazed how little I have. I have serious bra/shirt issues. I don't even try to get nice dresses or bathing suits - blah. I seriously wonder how much weight I'll lose once these massive breasts are gone. I feel like I have udders. blugh

[croleRN]

Originally Posted by Carhootel

soooo happy to see this thread! I'm a 36I right now and like the OP I plan on getting surgery when I'm done breastfeeding all the kids I'll have, which is one more (maybe 2). I don't have any real serious issues/pain yet but I do have a little, I'm actually amazed how little I have. I have serious bra/shirt issues. I don't even try to get nice dresses or bathing suits - blah. I seriously wonder how much weight I'll lose once these massive breasts are gone. I feel like I have udders. blugh

My pain has actually increased w/ each child. (As they have increased, and I have gotten older too.) In fact we had talked about having more - but I said no - which DH is fine with. I can't do this for much longer!
But shirts are SO difficult! I manage to find (ugly , but they hold the JUGS! ) Especially since nothing is really "flattering" at this size. So I try for just - Non-attention grabbing. DS is 10 wks - so I've been getting away w/ my maternity shirts - but I' m going to have to find another alternative.

[akind1]

wishin' - I am finally -sometimes - able to read and nurse! I sit in the glider with DS on a small throw pillow for support, and usually have one hand free I can read a paperback. or sidelying I have both hands free, but only one really available for holding the book,as the other arm is under my head. Granted, this is not all the time, and mostly when DS is sleepy. otherwise he wants to tear at the pages. I was not able to do this until around 4 months I think.

I wish I had shirt ideas for you thinner mamas with big busts; I have gone up a shirt size, even though I've lost weight, to manage the boobs. Dresses I can do if they are wrap style or if they are button front. I have been sticking with the looser tops with camis. I was so looking forward to some more body hugging styles after dressing in loose stuff while pregnant! but at least while nursing it is not to be.

my mother's boobs went down a bit after each pregnancy. I was hoping I would be so lucky. we'll see I haven't any pain or discomfort really, except around moon-time - and only in my low back. I really just wish bras weren't so expensive! my favorite pre-pregnancy bras were leMystere, but they weren't cheap either. but they were fantastic!

[Earthy Birthy]

After years of searching for a good nursing bra (and failing), I finally found bras that I LOVE: Bella Materna. Unfortunately, they only go up to a G/H and I had to order them online. I bought two of the Ruched Clip Bralet bras, and they lasted through 2+ years of nursing. It pained me to spend that much on bras, but they provided great support, lasted very well, and even looked a little sexy (for a nursing bra) to boot!

[greenbeanmama]

Howdy! So glad to hear of other busty gals out there! I'm currently a 38/40 G, and the plan is to get surgery after we're done having babies. I was way more okay with surgery until I actually read about the procedure. All I can say is "ouch".

Nursing positions: football hold just didn't work. I nurse on the floor, sitting cross-legged most of the time. For some reason, I have figured out different holds for the left and right side, that aren't interchangeable at all. As for laying down to nurse, I love it! My daughter is a squirmy wormy at night, so it's a good thing I have elasti-boob to stretch with her movements!

So, I too struggle with shirts. I'm a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of gal most of the time. Dressing up for me is cords and a button-down shirt. Do any of you ladies have suggestions, specifically, about brands, etc that actually work well for normal-sized girls that are just disproportionately top-heavy?

Glad there's a thread like this!

[akind1]

Wish I had some recommendations . . .When I was more normal sized (in both areas) I wore a lot of NY and Company, but mostly the knits; the button downs just didn't work on me. Old Navy too I really like. I don't know where a friend of mine shops (she's big busted too, and like a size 0 or 2) . . . but she is very much a t-shirt and jeans gal. (should find out though!)

as for bathing suits - I am loving my tankini!

[croleRN]

Originally Posted by greenbeanmama

As for laying down to nurse, I love it! My daughter is a squirmy wormy at night, so it's a good thing I have elasti-boob to stretch with her movements!

But SOOO true!!!! I love night time with the elastaboobs!!!

[Ambystoma]

Originally Posted by akind1

The salesperson at Motherhood was like, you can find bras online (on their website) in your size. I was like, NOOOO, I can't! I looked already.

do any of you do underwire? I have been avoiding it (and sort of missing it - lift and separate, anyone?) for fear of mastitis and clogged ducts.

Yeah about motherhood. Even if they supposedly make a larger size, it's never in stock. I do underwire some days and camis other days. I like the support of underwire if I have to run to a committee meeting or something w/o DS, but I prefer camis for NIP.

Originally Posted by greenbeanmama

For some reason, I have figured out different holds for the left and right side, that aren't interchangeable at all. As for laying down to nurse, I love it! My daughter is a squirmy wormy at night, so it's a good thing I have elasti-boob to stretch with her movements!

I do this, too. I have different holds for left and right...neither are football. DS is too heavy and long.

[kelly]

Right there with you. I am finding myself now squeezing into my old 40-Fs from my last pg, and it's not a good fit. I guess I will have to break down and order online. I hate the uni-boob feeling of tanks, so hopefully can avoid that.

I, too, love the elasti-boobs though! I can almost lay DS on my lap horizontally when NIP and if I lean over just a little or cross my legs he can reach just fine. Nighttime nursing is great too. He still has poor head control, though, so I have to hold the boob with one hand for him or the weight will sometimes just pull it out of his mouth.

[lerlerler]

36G here (was an I when kids were newborns)

I actually have had very few bra problems... but my solution is controversial.

After 3 weeks? I switch to my regular underwire (industrial strength) bras (Wacoals. LOVE THEM!). I just pop the underwire OVER the boob to nurse (don't wear v neck tees or they stick out)

After over 5 years of nursing? I've never had duct issues or mastitis....

Do I recommend this? I don't want to be responsible for someone else's problems but I feel SO frumpy in nursing bras (and yes, I tried the anita). I'm in my 40s so they are not only big but well, let's just say that I need to shove 'em out of the way before I buckle my belt (OK not THAT bad) but I need REAL support.

And if one more person told me how wonderful the back carry with a mei tai was I would scream! I had one. loved the front carry, but the straps on those things with a backs carry made me look like a circus act!! (the amazing boob mom).

I stuck to the sling...