Left Coast Mama » Bras

Helping Nature Along: Breastfeeding

Gwen — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:11:45 +0000

While breastfeeding is a natural thing it sometimes needs a little help. I have written about my breastfeeding journey so far and I touched on some of the difficulties I had. I have a few more issues than some like trying to find a breast pump that had a range of available breastsheild sizes, or finding nursing bras that fit, or trying to feed a sleepy jaundiced baby. All of these experiences have helped me find some resources to help, and some I have still to find. I thought I would share what I have.

When I was nursing Aidan I was unable to find a nursing bra that fit properly, and while I still haven’t found one that fits me properly I have a ton of resources for almost anyone else of a larger size. The first is Honeymilk Designs, by a local Vancouver bra designer Brandee Anderson. I haven’t got one myself as I am still too large, but I have heard nothing but fabulous reviews. If you are of a normal size range a nursing tank can be your best friend and keep you stomach covered.

In Vancouver at least, most of the Shopper’s Drug Marts rent hospital grade breast pumps. In the beginning this may be the best idea so you can find a style of pump that you like. Call the drugstore and ask about the models that they rent. I found that the hospital grade Medela was the pump that gave me the most relief from engorgement pain when Quinlan wasn’t latching the first couple of weeks. With all rental pumps you need to buy a package that has the tubing and breastsheilds. With the Medela they actually have different sizes, because the breastsheild isn’t supposed to rub against your nipple. For me that meant I needed a larger size than the average size, and the only place we found it was the Shopper’s Home Health Care store on Oak, though I think there are several places in Vancouver that rent the actual pumps.

The other thing that was a godsend in both my pregnancy and even now is the nursing pillow I bought at a local baby fair. The YOU Pillow was one of the best decisions I ever made. I used it every night during the rest of my pregnancy and it really helped to make the sleep less painful as I got bigger. Since Quinlan was born I have been using this pillow for nursing, even now, as well as for all kinds of things. In fact I have the laptop on my pillow now while I am writing this post.

Do you have some breastfeeding staples that have made your journey easier?

© 2009 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 2 comments
Related: Bras, breastfeeding, Healthy Choices, Healthy Eating, lactavism, Moms.

Weighing In

Gwen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:24:46 +0000

I am loving my scale right now and I don’t want to be someone who loves her scale. I have tried really hard over the last few years to stop worrying about my weight and just relax into the shape I have become.

I have always had a love/hate relationship with my body. Even when I was a small size I always had curves. My stomach was not the perfect flat specimen and I have always had the boobs. I am not sure why I couldn’t be happy with my weight and shape especially looking back at pictures. I was so small. How could I have thought that I was chubby? Why did I think that I needed to lose weight? It is a question that haunts me sometimes.

In the last month I have dropped (at least according to my scale which may be wildly inaccurate) about 15 pounds. My engagement ring fits again. My pants are starting to be looser in the waist. I know that my thighs are smaller as well. But if I really think about it I am still not happy with my body. As hard as I try to be ok with it, I still don’t feel entirely in love with myself. I know that part of it is that I still have some post pregnancy issues. I need to tone up, but that takes work.

Despite it all, even if I lose more weight it will be hard for me to really feel it until I lose the breasts. I am pretty sure that Quinlan is our last baby. This means that when he stops nursing (which I don’t anticipate being anytime soon) I will seriously think about getting a reduction. I always promised myself that when I was finished having babies and feeding them that I was getting them chopped off. I still seriously think about it. Smaller bras, easier to find, less back pain. What is the downside? I guess the surgery, scars, recovery and my husband’s reaction are all things to think about.

I guess when it comes down to it I am still unsure about whether I will do it or not. At least I know I won’t be making a rash decision soon.

In Which I Talk About My Problems With Bras and Big Boobs

Gwen — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:39:06 +0000

I am a person of size, a big girl, a short girl, a plus sized girl. Inside I am a tall, curvy and more toned woman with C cups that are still perky. On the outside I am one that will fail the pencil test every time. In fact I don’t remember when I didn’t fail the pencil test. Well I suppose that is not true, when I was 12 I had nothing to speak of.

***

I just checked and not only do I fail the pencil test, I can actually hold 10, yes 10, writing implements under one boob. Sure I know that when I am finished nursing Quinlan the girls will get a little smaller. I often wish for the breast disappearing act that I hear so many women complain about. Sigh. I am most likely out of luck on that front.

***

This has been coming for a while. On Sunday I will have been nursing for a full year (again) and I still do not have a nursing bra that fits and is comfortable. In fact I don’t really think they (maternity/nursing bra manufacturers) make a bra designed for a woman like me. Oddly enough, just because I have big boobs I am not huge everywhere else. Yes I am a plus sized girl, but my ribs are quite small, and I don’t need inches of elastic or band underneath the breast. In fact all that does is make things worse as it is uncomfortable and it folds under itself. What I really need is a good underwire nursing bra, with not too much underwire (I don’t need to be poked in the armpit) and a stretchy band that isn’t too wide. Oh and also, an I cup. Therein lies the rub. I need an I cup. Apparently women who need an I cup are really tall and long torsoed women. They aren’t sturdy not too short women with a bigger rack.

Since I am unable to find anything in Vancouver that fits, I was finally turned toward an online company for a certain bra that the fitter told me would fit me. (Since then I think my band size has gone down even if my cup size has not.) I ordered it and two others that should have fit to see if I could get something that would let me nurse my son and still be able to have the girls where they should be. In fact the two that came were not the one that Dianne’s said would fit me, no that is still on back order a month and a half later. This shouldn’t be such a struggle. I can not be the only woman in Vancouver who has this problem. Hell I can’t be the only woman in the world who has this problem.

So what is a woman with big breasts, a penchant for pretty lingerie, and a nursing mother to do? Really I am asking. I am at my wit’s end. I am uncomfortable, I still need access for Quinlan and I don’t see him weaning anytime soon. Me and the girls thank you in advance.

© 2009 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 4 comments
Related: Bras, breastfeeding, Gwen, lactavism, Moms, Nursing Bras, Quinlan, rants.

Open Letter to La Leche League International

Gwen — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:04:47 +0000

Today (well Friday now) I was reading Parent Dish and Nadine Silverthorne pointed out the the La Leche League International is now selling nursing bras. I was excited because an organization that is lactavist should be aware that all women are not the same shape or size and that as you are pregnant and nursing that you tend to get larger in the bust. I was once again disappointed. I actually wrote the following letter and as this ruminates (yes the pun was intended,) I actually am more than a little frustrated.

Dear La Leche League International,

I just wanted to send a note because I think that you need to be providing a service that other organizations are not. Nursing bras for larger sized women.

Frankly I was a little excited when I heard that the La Leche League was selling nursing bras. Then I looked at your selection and once again I was very disappointed. The size range that you have doesn’t include anything over a D cup. As a woman who normally has a 3D to 4D (G or H) it is impossible to find a nursing bra that is comfortable or fits. I was really hoping that for the next time I was nursing that somebody would provide this service. I know that I am not the only woman who has this problem. It would be nice to have an organization that promotes breastfeeding for every woman and baby to provide a selection of nursing bras for everyone.

I thank you in advance for your response in this matter.

Gwen Floyd

I am actually not just frustrated about the nursing bras, it is the absolute irritation of being a larger busted women in North America where all women should be small perky breasted or so full of silicon that you need no help to stay inflated and up in the air. I should not have to go to a speciality store and spend upwards of a hundred dollars just to get a bra that may fit but is still uncomfortable and ugly as sin. I should be able to go to my local Bay, Zellers, Sears or whatever and at least be able to get a 3D without any problem.

Sigh. I guess I will have to come to terms with it. I am not supposed to be comfortable or sexy. I am not supposed to be a woman who breastfeeds, or cares about how she looks while she does it. If I have a bust this size I should be a amazon who like to be poked in the armpits with underwire. I am supposed to take life’s lumps and not complain. Wait no, I am tired of seeing all these wonderful new nursing bras for glam moms and not being able to be a part of it because I am not an ideal size.

© 2007 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 3 comments
Related: Bras, La Leche League, lactavism, Nursing Bras, Product Reviews.