[blparent] Sensitive breast feeding concern, ladies only

Mon Apr 16 16:32:02 UTC 2012

Bridget,

Just my two cents worth of course but I wonder if I missed out on some
info here. What's the connection between having large breasts and
difficulty in breast feeding? I was well-endowed before pregnancy and
once I became a milk machine I had to buy bras that typically aren't
found in stores because the cup size isn't the norm.

I did have some difficulty with latching on the first few days. The
hospital nurses and lactation ladies helped with every feeding whether
I felt i needed it or not. I asked just because I wanted all the info
I could get before leaving the hospital. I was told that I had nipples
that wouldn't stay erect long enough for my baby to feed so I used a
nipple protector thingie. That helped keep my nipple erect long enough
for my son to feed. However, after about 3 weeks, I think my nipples
were trained enough and I didn't need it any longer.

I was told at some point that certain breast feeding positions weren't
as ideal because I had large breasts. So, I got really good at the
football hold which I found to be the most comfortable anyways.

Anyhow, to your point...you stick to your guns about the decisions you
make to bottle feed or breast feed regardless of where you are. If the
hospital staff doesn't like it ask them to keep their judgements to
themselves and see if you can get a different nurse to attend to you.
I had to go into the hospital a few days after Erik's birth because he
needed light treatment for his jaundice. I felt judged throughout my
stay at the hospital because I didn't want to bottle feed my son who
was only 2 days old. They actually accused me of wanting to starve my
son since he wasn't eating enough in the short periods of time I could
take him out to nurse him. I caved in and settled for pumping and
feeding through a tube and seringe. When I asked for assistance to
show me how to use this industrial electric pump I was told in a
sarcastic voice, "Just put the cups to your breast and pump." I had
never seen a breast pump before and was really annoyed at how ignorant
the nurse was about blind people.

So, judgement goes both ways and as women we all should strive not to
judge. Plenty of babies have never been breast fed and they are a-o-k.
And, plenty of babies who have been breast fed are not a-o-k. The
important thing in my mind is how we love our children and raise them.

LM

On 4/16/12, Melissa Ann Riccobono <melissa at riccobono.us> wrote:
> I completely agree with this post.  Bridgit, since you're so on top of
> things, and thinking about all of these concerns early on, it might be a
> good idea to search out a lactation consultant now in order to discuss your
> concerns, and also to have someone "on your side" when your son is born to
> help you in the hospital.  Pumping is a great option if that's what you
> decide to do, but, as pointed out on this list, most pumps will not get all
> of the milk your baby can get from your breasts.  You will also have to
> balance pumping and bottle feeding which might be pretty exhausting with a
> new baby, unless you always have someone else around to feed the baby and
> you can pump at the same time.  This is, again, just food for thought.
> Ultimately you need to do what is comfortable for you, as this will help you
> be relaxed, which will make everything easier for mom and baby both.  I
> would definitely find a good lactation consultant now, and also nursing goes
> differently for every woman, so don't let family history color your view too
> much as to what you will or won't be able to do as far as nursing is
> concerned.  Also, nursing can be challenging for blind and sighted parents
> alike, and most hospital staff know this and are very patient and willing to
> work with new moms who want to nurse.  Your baby will prove to be a factor
> in this as well.  Some babies have no trouble latching on and nurse as if
> they've been doing it from in the womb.  Others take longer and have more
> problems.  I think it's important to remember that bottle feeding is always
> an option, and if someone is truly concerned about your ability to nurse
> when you return home, you can always point out to them that a bottle is an
> option you are very comfortable with, and you will be able to feed your baby
> that way if you feel nursing is not going well.
> Some more food for thought.
> Melissa
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jo Elizabeth Pinto
> Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2012 7:15 PM
> To: Blind Parents Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [blparent] Sensitive breast feeding concern, ladies only
>
> Hi, Bridgit.  In most hospitals, you can borrow an electric double-sided
> breast pump to have in your room, or you can take one with you from home.
> My sister was given this option because she had to go back to work as a
> teacher soon after both of her babies were born, and she didn't intend to
> nurse with her breasts.  But she was given the option to pump anyway, just
> in case she wanted to give bottled breast milk to the day care provider she
> had.  My lactation consultant also gave me the pump-and-bottle-feed
> suggestion when I was having real trouble getting my baby to latch on.  So
> you may well be able to just tell the staff that you don't intend to nurse
> with your breasts, but you want to start pumping right away.  They'll show
> you how to use the pump and get you started off right.
>
> That being said--and I'm not trying to be argumentative or start a debate
> because you know your own body and your own goals--nursing was very
> difficult for me, but also very rewarding.  I didn't find it particularly
> difficult as far as being well endowed, which was an issue even before I got
> pregnant.  I would urge you not to miss out on a great bonding experience,
> and a one-of-a-kind part of mothering, based on worries about what might
> happen.  You can always stop nursing and keep pumping if it doesn't work out
> for you, but sometimes latching on and nursing  go perfectly smoothly for
> mother and baby.  My cousin had that experience, everything worked like a
> charm, and she had milk to spare.  I know there was an issue with a blind
> couple who got their child taken away a few years ago, at least in part due
> to concerns about breast feeding, but most lactation consultants are as
> patient as saints, and willing to work with new moms for as long as it takes
> to get a good nursing relationship going.  La Leche League has even put out
> an article on how to deal with blind moms and their special concerns at
> meetings.  Food for thought anyway.
>
> Jo Elizabeth
>
> "How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young,
> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of
> the weak and the strong.  Because someday in life you will have been all of
> these."--George Washington Carver, 1864-1943, American scientist
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
> Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2012 3:09 PM
> To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [blparent] Sensitive breast feeding concern, ladies only
>
>> Hello, guys may not want to continue along further here, though I
>> certainly welcome any advice. My concern is not so much about breast
>> feeding itself, but the concern of hospital staff when attempting it.
>> Here is my issue:
>>
>> Women in my family tend to become rather well-endowed when pregnant
>> and nursing. After a recent convo with my mom about breast feeding, I
>> have decided it will work best from a physical stand point as well as
>> a nonvisual one to pump and bottle feed rather than actually breast
>> feed naturally. My mom and one of my sisters opted for this method
>> instead of struggling with large breast and feeding a small being.
>>
>> So, I know they typically want mothers to breast feed naturally while
>> in hospital, and I know some of the issues most women face with this
>> on top of the pressure of being "supervised" while trying, then add on
>> the blind factor and well... I'm just concerned if I have too many
>> problems, whether they be related to blindness or not, it could lead
>> to some problems with people questioning my ability once home. Bottle
>> feeding has never been an issue for me, but I know breast feeding may
>> present problems both blind related as well as physical- the
>> blind-related ones being connected to my personal method with bottle
>> feeding and the few differences breast feeding will present. I'm not
>> worried about my ability, but worry about others questioning me and
>> not giving me an opportunity.
>>
>> So far none of our medical team has given us the impression that they
>> doubt our ability to care for a child without vision, but I know some
>> people are challenged during their hospital stay. This is what I worry
>> about. Am I concerned needlessly, and what advice and suggestions, if
>> any, do any of you have? I appreciate all responses. I just don't want
>> this one factor weighing heavily against us when I don't even intend
>> to use my actual breast to feed once home, and my bottle method is
>> pretty solid. Perhaps I'm worried for no reason, but I do want to be
>> prepared for potential situations since the months are passing
>> quickly. I'm five months along now and thinking literally of everything
> both good and bad.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
>> Read my blog at:
>> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>>
>> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
>> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>>
>>
>>
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>
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