Plus Size Breastfeeding Tips & What To Do If Baby has Trouble Latching
As a plus size mama, you have unique challenges when it comes to nursing your little babe. The lactation consultants may be trying to teach you holds that are not exactly conducive with our body type. While these tips would be helpful for any new mother struggling to nurse, they are most helpful if you find yourself swollen and seem too big for your baby after birth.
Immediately after my all natural, spontaneous, 11 hour birth, my beautiful boy was plopped on my chest and ready to nurse for the first time. The labor and delivery nurses laughed and nicknamed him "Hoover" because he latched right away. I let out a huge sigh of relief - phew! I am breastfeeding. Oh, how naive I was!
I didn't know it at the time but my precious and perfect son had not one but two ties in his mouth. At five days old he was admitted to the NICU at Boston Children's for severe jaundice. I wasn't producing enough milk, he was no longer latching, and he required extra fluids to flush out the bilirubin from his system. That was the beginning of our supplementing. For three months I struggled to nurse my boy. We supplemented formula for the first six months until we found our groove.
SIX MONTHS.
Six months of doubting myself and thinking "Why is it so easy for everyone else?"
Six months of crying and saying to my baby "Why won't you just latch?"
Six months of feeling alone and like a failure
But it was in the journey (which lasted until his second birthday by the way! one of my greatest accomplishments as a mom) that I discovered some very helpful products.
1) A medical wedge pillow
FORGET THE BOPPY. This pillow will save your back during those cluster feeding days. Breastfed babies feed on demand and do not follow a three hour schedule. When they want milk the first three months, you give it to them. "No way! They just nursed for 15 minutes half an hour ago!" Yep - it's totally possible! In this moment, it is absolutely recommended to spend the day topless and reclined in your bed with one these glorious medical wedge pillows behind your aching back.
2) Nipple shields
A very kind lactation consultant gifted me with my first set of nipple shields in the NICU. My son wouldn't latch and she taught me that bait and switch. You need them.
3) Nipple gel pads
Pretty self explanatory - like a pasty but a lot less desirable.
4) Homemade rice heating packs
Use a sock or sew up some flannel pillows (check Pinterest for rice pack tutorials) and toss these babies in the microwave. I loved flax seed as well! BONUS - slip them into your nursing bra to encourage lactation and reduce risk of mastitis or clogged ducts.
5) A Haakaa silicone breast pump
This is amazing to use for letdown on the other breast while you're nursing, or times that you feel full but your baby is sleeping. Just pay attention to it and make sure it doesn't overflow. It's ok if an accident happens! We've all cried over spilled milk.
6) My special list of foods to avoid when you are breastfeeding
7) GET SUPPORT
Join your local Normalize Breastfeeding Group to gain support from others on your same journey. If you need to supplement, reach out to the mom network - human milk 4 human babies is one in Charlotte NC.
Good luck mama! And remember - YOU. ARE. ENOUGH.
