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BR: BFing Ta-Tas, new bras and pumping
OMG. I got my nursing bras today...holy cow! It's like a throw back to the 1950's. J keeps saying, "they're so...pointy!" LOL. That's what happens when you only have a few nursing bras to chose from...I ordered two softcup bras (shudder...haven't worn anything but underwires since 8th grade! Yes, I was an early "bloomer" and got my first training bra in the 3rd grade...I kid you not...I pray Libby favor's J's side of the family...lean and long not extra curvy like me)!
One of them is a tri-cup styled bra that does create a bit of the 50's-eque torpedo boobs. But they are lifted and separated and SUPPORTED! I have been wearing nursing tanks for the past three weeks so it feels good to have the girls in a real bra.
http://breakoutbras.stores.yahoo.net/2cosunusobye.html
The other one is more of a shelf styled bra with internal slings for support/shaping.
http://breakoutbras.stores.yahoo.net/czosonubraby.html
Unfortunately the ONE underwire I ordered is too small. Muffin tops! Not cute. And I worry that a wired bra may block some ducts that are near my underarms. So it's going back and I'll be exchanging it for another "torpedo boob" bra. Not that attractive, but VERY functional. And well, if I am going to try to BF for a year I gotta get used them. Luckily they look better under clothes than just by themselves. I am used to wear seamless, underwires so this will be an adjustment, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!
BTW, I have gone from a 42DDD(E) during pregnancy to a 40I post-pregnancy. EEK! I was 40DDD(E) before pregnancy, so I am used to have big bewbies, but this is friggin' ridiculous! I have already told J that for my 40th bday I am getting a tummy tuck and beast reduction/lift...and two weeks in one of those recovery spa places! No joke.
Oh yeah...I also got my FreeStyle Pump today and have a manual Avent Isis as well. I am thinking I may give it a go...is it too early? Libby's got BFing down and my supply feels solid (in fact I've started leaking on the right side so I am thinking pumping may be a good idea to off load the extra milk). I was considering introducing a bottle next week...just once a day...so Libby gets used to it when it's time for me to go back to work part-time in March. What do you think? Good idea? Or wait. What did you do?
Re: BR: BFing Ta-Tas, new bras and pumping
Yikes...not looking forward to pointy boobs.
Just wanted to say that I don't think it's a bad thing to introduce a bottle. I know they say to wait until 3 weeks or so (which I guess Libby will be soon anyways) but we already had to give Kaya some formula to supplement because she lost too much weight by the time we left the hospital. I don't feel like it has hindered her ability to latch at all. If you wait too long, she may not want the bottle. I'd say just don't give it to her more than once a day or she'll get lazy about latching because the bottle is so much easier.
Ugh, sorry your dealing with nursing bras:-( My ta-tas got really big for the first 3 months or so and now they have calmed down somewhat...I think I could go down a size in my nursing bras. I have no other recommendations since I use those EVANESSE nursing bras and they don't have your size.
Regarding the bottle. If you feel like things are going well, go ahead and introduce. I wish we had introduced a bottle to Ashton earlier since we had such a problem later when it was time for him to go to daycare. Also, it would have been nice if when my mom was visiting, that Adam and I could have went to dinner or something, but since Ashton wouldn't take a bottle I never left his side for 12 straight weeks. He takes it okay now, still not like he should and will only eat about 2-4 ounces at a time.
We started with the Playtex drops ins (I bought a ton of them) but we ended up using Dr. Browns due to Ashton being so gassy. The Dr. Browns helped a ton!
Good luck and it's so nice to hear that BF is going well with little Libby! I can't believe she is 3 weeks already!
Definitely agree with pp about being consistent about the bottle. We introduced the bottle really early (like w/i the first week of being home) and it was no problem. Then we were on and off about the bottle-business and she would have nothing to do with it & didn't start taking the bottle until 5 months.
Now I feed her from the bottle once a day EVERY DAY.
Good luck! Oh, and I am amazed about the 40I size boobies. . . me being a teeny tiny 34B (probably could still fit an A maybe) AND I'm BF ... yowza!
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Hey Lori, where did you order your bras from? I'm going to have to get some online (not sure yet if I'll need to get them shipped from the USA, but it doesn't hurt to get some recommendations!).
There are NO maternity/nursing bras in any stores here that are larger than a 38D - apparently big boobed women aren't allowed to have babies in Australia.
I could make the band size work with an extender (I need a 40), but the cup size just ain't gonna cut it once these girls start ballooning out - I'm snug in a D as it is.
Thanks Renee...I am reading through all of my pump's instructions now and hope to try pumping tomorrow morning, when my milk is at its most plentiful. As for Ashton...2-4 oz. sounds about right....from all that I am reading babies only take about that much from the breast when they nurse, so it makes sense that it would be about the same from the bottle. Unlike formula, which needs to be increased in its amount to continue to meet a growing baby's needs, breastmilk is self-adjusting as the baby grows, therefore baby only needs the same amount as before since the milk itself is more nutritionally dense.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Hey Lisa,
I got my bras and my FreeStyle Pump (cheapest I could find online) from www.breakoutbras.com ! They are fantastic...free shipping (in the US & Canada at least) and the customer service was awesome. They do run promos from time to time (like in December they had a 15% coupon)...so keep you eyes open for that. All repeat customers get a 10% discount, so if you want me to order something for you, let me know.
They have 180 day (6 month) return policy, which rocks! I also appreciate that they detail proper fitting bras without all of that measure, add so many inches, etc. which IMHO never ends up being the correct size! As shocking as a 40I is at least it's the RIGHT size and I am not futzing with sending things back because the size is wrong (aside from the underwire, which I knew I was chancing but wanted to just try and see anyway....)
Since you're off work for so long you might consider just using nursing tanks until your milk comes in and your bewbies go down in swelling...I have been wearing nursing tanks exclusively for the past 3 weeks but really wanted proper bras so I can go out in public. I mean, really, no nursing tank can contain these bezooms!
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
LOL Lori! I feel like freak show...for reals. And to imagine that bras come in sizes much, much larger than mine! YIKES! My BFFs are both smaller breasted women and they marvel at my boobs...too funny!
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
I would, but the maternity and nursing tanks (the kind with the shelf bras) only go up to 38C or D! It's really annoying. I have a 38D right now that I bought back at like 15 weeks (I use it to sleep in), and I'm just bulging out of it - like you said, muffin top boobs.
I've looked at the plus size section of Target and at the only plus size store in town in the hopes that I could find something larger, but neither of them have tanks of any kind.
I just bought a nursing bra. The lable is Elle MacPherson. It's much better (supportive, not cone shaped) than any of the other ones I've tried. It was an investment at $94 dollars though.
I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but my breasts are the same size they were pre-pregnancy. They only swell up if I'm too full.
I'm in love with my tanks though, it's so easy to nurse in public with them.
Married Bio
What, no PIP of the cone tits? I want to see if you look like Madonna.
Re: bras
My favorite nursing bras were Bravado. They seemed to have a wide range of sizes to accomodate all of us. Once I went to work, I wore Wacoal regular bras. They offered the best support. When I nursed, I just took off my bra. I wasn't a public nurser... so no flashing. When I was done, I just put myself back together.
Re: Boob Theories
I would not worry about your lil darlin becoming a woman. Giant boobs seem to skip a generation. My grandma had them. All my girl cousins have them. Moms and aunts got left out.
You know that my other theory seems to be correct: If a woman has small breasts prePG, she'll be left with nothing but skin once she's done BF. If a woman is busty prePG, her boobs will get unbearably ginormous.
Re: Bottle
I would do a bottle of BM once a day. I think the survival instinct that new babies have helps them take it. Once babies get a little older, they can go longer without nourishment (i.e. sleep through the night). I believe there is a window of opportunity that you don't want to miss.
Newlyweds since 2007
I HOPE THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! *Tears*
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I agree with the what you've read and I have read that as well, but once I pick Ashton up from day care all he wants to do is nurse. At first I think it was because he missed me, but now I can tell he is just plain ole hungry.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Aw. That's kinda cute, but I can see that it is also stressful if your baby doesn't eat all day. They say that some BF babies will wait until mama can nurse them...even if that means waiting all day to do it. Then they nurse all night long. Is that what's happening with you?
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Sadly the Elle MacPherson ones don't come in my size.
I agree about the nursing tanks...I think I'll be wearing them over my nursing bras so I can NIP and be covered up...either that or get a couple of bella bands because I don't want my tummy exposed when I pull up my shirt to nurse.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Oh dear... I hope this doesn't happen to us... :-(
Malia & Dave & Alexa
Happily married since 2-17-08! Three since 9-9-09!
Baby Blog
Oh dear... I hope this doesn't happen to us... :-(
Malia & Dave & Alexa
Happily married since 2-17-08! Three since 9-9-09!
Baby Blog
Ugg. Sorry about that double post. Annoying Nest.
Anyway, was going to add... 3 weeks is when our pediatrician/lactation consultant told us to start Alexa on the bottle. She said to give it every other day or no more than 3 days without a bottle to make sure she doesn't reject. She's always taken the bottle, but she doesn't drink as much and she is fussy with it. Nursing is SO MUCH faster and easier!
Let me know if you have any Qs about the Freestyle pump. That's the one I have and I use it almost every day.
I tend to pump for about 10 minutes after my "up for the day" morning feed. The lactation consultant at my pediatrican's office said to do the morning pump between 6-9 a.m. and no more than 10 mins after you finish feeding.
When you start the pump it does light sucking first (I use setting 7 or 8) and then after 2 minutes it'll tranisition into hard sucking. However, you can push the Let Down button to start the hard sucking earlier if you FEEL the Let Down happen earlier. If I'm really full, that'll happen at 30 seconds. Other times, not until a minute or 1:30. I try to close my eyes and relax and think of Alexa until the Let Down starts... Then I push the button and after it's going I can do other things.... Like email. :-)
I hope that helps!
For bras... Agree that Breakout Bras is awesome! I have ordered from them. They are great, very fast with exchanges. My favorites are Bravado bras and tanks. A little pricier but fit so well and so comfortable. Luckily, I got a couple Bravado tanks (new with tags!) from the Wiggle Room consignment shop! yay!
OK.. Good luck pumping!
Malia & Dave & Alexa
Happily married since 2-17-08! Three since 9-9-09!
Baby Blog
We have Target, but unfortunately they don't carry the same brands as they do in the USA (the Targets here actually kinda remind me more of KMart, although I'm not sure why).
Ditto! I will be so sad if this happens!
Sorry, sorry, sorry. It is mostly a joke. Long before I was planning to have a baby, all of the moms complained about "losing their boobs". My SIL wanted implants b/c she said she had nothing left after 2 kids. I told her I would much rather be smaller than I was. She assured me with a knowing laugh, "Don't worry, you'll be smaller." So-o-o, fast forward a few years. While TTC, I looked forward to my C boobs turning into cute B boobs. Surprise. I swear that my boobs were bigger the morning after I conceived. Before I even had a belly, I could not zip up my jacket b/c of the other two bumps. My button up blouses had little peek-a-boos that made them not okay. My bras, well, my bras were not fitting half of my boob. I went to Nordstrom to be fitted. I was a 32DD. Not to worry, I told myself, they will be smaller after PG and BF. Everyone said theirs were at least a size smaller. Guess what? Not me. Once I was done with BF, I complained to friends about how big they were. I explained that everyone said that they'd get smaller. Laughs all around. That's when I came up with the theory that if you are big, they'll get bigger... if you are small, they will get smaller. There is no scientific study... hopefully, it won't be your reality. It just seems like the talk among my friends. If it makes you feel better, I love small boobies. I'll trade. I wish I had a ballerina body.
Since we have some mommies on this board, we should do an unofficial count: did your bigs get bigger ~ your smalls get smaller ~ or no change at all?
Newlyweds since 2007
Just thought I'd add my two cents from a lurker in the same boat. I have been wearing only nursing tanks or sports bra-type nursing bras since E was born. I was a 34 DD-DDD pre-preg, and a 34 F-G during PG. I'm afraid to know what I am now. I'm going to check out the site that you posted as I would like something that actually fits. My other concern is that my R bewb is clearly larger than the L, so it may be even harder to find something that fits ok. I'm pretty used to ill-fitting bras, sadly, since I also developed early and have always been a size that very few places carry. In fact, I went to a Vic Secrets years ago to get measured, and all the sales woman said was "oh, honey, we don't carry your size" with no suggestions.
Anyway, I really wanted to tell you our (limited) experience with the bottle. I just started pumping a few days ago which was a little later than our pedi/LC recommended (she said 2 weeks, and E was 3.5 weeks old). It's hard for me to find a time to pump since he doesn't always take a long-ish nap in the morning, and I was told to try to pump an hour after he eats. DH gave a bottle for the first time last night (almost 4 weeks), and he took it like a champ. DH will give him one every 1-2 days, and I'll hopefully start a freezer stash. Our timeline seems pretty similar to yours,
Nothing useful to add just wanted to say, Wow I'm learning so much from you mama's!
Thanks Malia! I pumped for the first time this morning just using my manual single Avent Isis...I got 4 oz. and this was after nursing Libby! I am charging up the FreeStyle and will give it a go tomorrow I think. J is going to try her on the bottle this afternoon, as soon as she awakes from her nap, which sounds like it might be any minute!
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Thanks for chiming in...I greatly appreciate it! Our LO's are only two days apart...cool!
Do check out www.breakoutbras.com they'll surely have options in your size...also look at their fitting guide. I also used this fit calculator to be sure:
http://www.momsmilkboutique.com/bra_calc.php
I hope you'll post more often...it's nice to have all of the varied input and experiences in our discussions.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
I can't tell you how many bras I had to try on before finding one that was decent. there were a few from nordstrom.com that I loved (fit well, looked like regular bras, didn't cause pointy boobs) but they were lace-y so I couldn't wear them under a fitted Tshirt w/o it showing so I returned them. I know how hard it is to find larger sizes, and my boobs aren't even as big as yours.
the evanesse ones from omamma.com that Renee mentioned are great and don't make your boobs look pointy, but unfortunately they don't go above E cups
I love the Gilligan O Malley nursing tanks too but they don't offer enough support for me to wear them out in public unless I'm completely zipped up in my velour hoodie/sweats set.
you can start pumping but just be careful not too over pump to where you have an oversupply or else it will make your forceful letdown even worse. definitely pump to relieve discomfort from engorgement but remember that it's just foremilk so you'll want to mix it w/hindmilk or at least label it as foremilk if you're storing it. i can't remember when it was exactly but it was like one day i woke up and suddenly my boobs didn't feel so full and uncomfortable all the time anymore as i approached feedings. at first i was worried my supply was decreasing but then i realized it was just regulated. they say to wait 6-8 weeks (i think?) to start really pumping but if you feel your supply has settled nicely go ahead and start pumping. i know lots of mamas start right away. i started pumping from the beginning due to my delay in my milk coming in from the labor and c-section...and once my milk came in i pumped to relieve engorgement. i started a freezer stash around 2wks pp but then it caused me to have oversupply issues and i stopped...plus i got thrush so i couldn't save that milk either...so, not sure what my advice is, except to proceed w/caution when starting that early to avoid oversupply.
as for the bottle, we had major issues with latching and A wasn't good with it until about 4-5 wks pp so we did not introduce the bottle until 6 weeks (well, except for 1-2 times before my milk came in when we were supplementing with donated breastmilk). she didn't want to take it initially at 6 wks on the first try but we tried again the next day and she took to it ok. she really prefers the boob over the bottle (understandably) but she will take about 9 oz each day while i am at work. thankfully she doesn't nurse any different when i come home from work, except she's pretty eager to latch the first time after i get home
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
Thanks Jaime...I have yet to feel engorged...is that weird? I mean, I do leak from time to time, but I have not had that hard/hot feeling in my boobs yet. I did block feeding for a few days last week and I think it's helped my forceful let down/oversupply issues. I only nurse on one side for most feedings and it's working well for us. That way I am also sure she's getting hindmilk. She's gaining weight so it must be working! She got little cubby cheeks starting to form and extra rolls coming onto her thighs!
I pumped again today and got 4.5 oz...I did it about an hour after feeding her. It was creamy so I am thinking it was hindmilk and not just foremilk (foremilk to me looks more thin/watery like nonfat cow's milk). J fed her a bottle while I went grocery shopping...it was awesome! My first time out of the house without baby. I was only gone 45 minutes (the store is down the street) and I had my cell phone on me in case he couldn't deal. It was cute. I came home and he was rocking her and feeding her and singing to her. Too precious.
Now my issue is when to find time to pump?! For now, I am just going to do it once a day so we can keep giving her one bottle/day. Once six weeks have passed then I'll try to build up more of a stash...I am not back to the office until March 30 and then it's only twice a week for another four weeks(Tues 8 a.m. - 1 p.m./Thurs 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.). I did read that it's good to have some sort of stash even if you are SAHM and EBF for times like being sick, needing medications, etc.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats