Milk - Mesa, AZ

Size really doesn't matter. My friend is almost flat chested till her children were born and she has milk to spare. I on the other hand am fairly large chested and have not been successful at breastfeeding my children.

Good luck,
A.

Trust me, they will grow! Just wait a few days after the baby is born. I am also small brested and produced enough milk to breastfeed my child for 11 months. Just give it a try!

Hi H.,

I haven't read all of the other responses but if you are concerned, try going to a La Leche League meeting in your area or make an appointment with a local lactation consultant (look for them at hospitals). Rest assured that most women are physically able to breast feed, however there can be a learning curve for both you and your baby.

Breast size does not determine ability to breast feed. 99% of women are able to breastfeed and do not need to supplement to ensure optimal growth of their child.

If your breast have become tender and have felt differently during your pregnancy (they may be somewhat larger than before pregnancy) then you can breastfeed. It is important to take a breastfeeding class prior to delivery or talk to a lactation consultant so that you are confident in how to breastfeed. Technique is important to ensure a good milk supply and efficient nursing by the baby. It is important to put baby to breast immediately after delivery.

For more information, you can look at a breastfeeding website and find a lactation consultant in your area.

L. Kandell, MS, RD, IBCLC
Registered Dietitian/Maternal & Child Health Specialist
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Scottsdale, AZ

Mother of two - both breastfed EXCLUSIVELY for over 1 year.

Hi H.,

Breast size, or rather the breast tissue, has nothing to do with milk supply. After you have the baby, it will take 2-3 days of breastfeeding for you milk to come it. When that happens, you will know :-). It's all by supply and demand, you'll notice when the baby has a growth spurt, because you'll be fuller :-) If you have concerns, talk to the lactation consultant at the hospital or contact La leche league :-)

My sister can barely fill up an A cup - I am a full C. She breast fed all three of her kids and didn't like it so she quit. I wanted like mad to breast feed my 2, but never made enough milk. Breast size doesn't have anything to do with how well you produce milk.

If you think you'd like to try breast feeding, give it a shot. But make sure you give it a real shot - no trying just for a few days. I tried for 2 months with my first and for over a month with #2.

I wanted it to be for me, but it isn't for everyone. Contact the hospital where you will deliver. Ask if they have any lactation nurses. You can talk with them now. I started talking to the ones at St. Joseph's here in Tucson at about 5 months with #2. Also, the lactation nurse can come see you in your room after the baby is born - well, they did here anyway. (I was at TMC for #1 - the nurse came to me there, too)

If your hospital doesn't have a nurse you can talk to now, contact La Leche League. You SHOULD be able to find them in the phone book.

Good luck!

It make ABSOULUTELY NO difference how big or small your breasts are....milk glands are strewn throughout each breast....remember we (women) are made for it....unfortunately some women due to various reasons cannot produce enough....my mother was one of the few....but it was because of stress (her mother just died) and she gave up. Contact La Leche League and get started with a group now.....there are groups all over the place and if you're in AZ there are MANY. Look around online for the website and contact someone.
PS. I nursed my first until 4 (no bottles whatsoever) and still nursing my second, he's 3(no bottles as well). I never gave up. It's really tough at times but way way worth it. God bless you H., I hope I've helped a little. T.

H.,
It doesn't matter what they look like before the baby arrives, they will fill up no matter what! I also had very small breasts before the baby... I'm talkin' smaller than A cup. But 4 days after my son was born, my milk came in and they were so big I thought they were gonna explode! Please don't worry! Nature intended for you to feed your baby and you will be able to do that. It takes patience and persistence for both you and the baby to get the hang of it, but it is worth it! Breastfeeding is the most natural, beautiful thing in the world! And it's the healthiest for the baby too! Also, the more you feed the baby, the more milk you create. Your body will tune in to how much the baby needs and you will have plenty for him/her. If you get frustrated, please talk to a lactation consultant. My son took a long time to get the hang of it, and it got very frustrating. I worked with a lactation consultant and she helped so much. Anyway, don't worry. You will get your milk after the baby comes and I promise, you will be able to make enough to feed your baby!
Take care and don't worry!
J.

Breast size has nothing to do with how much milk you produce. I am a large A :) maybe and I tell you what.....I had more milk than I know what to do with! My daughters only nursed on one side at a time to get full and I could literally hold a bottle under the other side with-out pumping while they nursed on one side and get a good 6 oz from just the let down. My advise is to make sure you get alot of fluids and give it your best! Good luck. If for some reason you cant breast feed dont beat yourself up over it. Your baby will be healthy and happy with formula just as much as if you were breastfeeding.

HI H.,
Don't worry, you will. I am really flat (I mean really small..like small B) but I ended up nursing 3 kids and 2 years each. Just have faith in your body and eat well! Think of all the mothers around the world who does not live in such abundunce as us. What would they do? OUr body will take care of our child. WOman who can't produce enough ususally because they haven't tried long enough or their child was not needing too much at the time. It does take 3 days for your milk to come in. Even when it does, it doesn't really start flowing until a week later. Then, it's like someone opened a faucet. Good luck!

Please do not be discouraged. TRY to breastfeed. If you are determined to, you will be able to do it. But don't despair if your baby loses a little weight at first. That is normal. I have been an A cup my whole life and have so far nursed two little ones with milk leaking out in between! Yet, I am a poor pumper, barely able to pump out anything. That doesn't mean I didn't produce enough. So, even if you can't SEE how much you produce, if your child is nursing, you are likely producing plenty for him or her.

H.- its okay- they don't need to be big to produce milk- I was a 34A when I got pregnant and my breasts barely changed while I was pregnant- My breasts only increased about 1 cup size- but I never had difficulties producing milk- you'll be fine- try not to be anxious- just know breastfeeding is not usually easy for the first few weeks- Once you get past that- it is easy as pie. If I have any breastfeeding advice- its let your baby eat whenever they want to in the beginning- so your breasts will keep producing lots of milk!!! Good Luck and congratulations!

I know from reading books and actually asking a physician, that your milk supply is not dependant on breast size. You probably won't know for sure until after your baby is here. I recommend getting some help nursing from someone in the hospital. It can be very challenging to many first time moms(speaking from experience!) Congradualtions and good luck!

Mine were rather tiny when I was pregnant (I was worried about that) but as soon as I gave birth within 48 hours they were HUGE! I had so much milk I didn't know what to do with it. My baby was drinking all of it. According to nurses I could have fed a whole other child. I actually nursed my daughter till 2 1/2 so I did well with the milk!

K.

Hi H.,
Breast size is not a factor in breastfeeding. It makes no difference. Breastfeeding is suppy and demand. The more you allow your child to nurse the more milk you will have to offer. So many women think they don't provide enough milk because they cannot see the milk or if they pump they cannot get very much. The fact is that there are very few (extremely few) women who cannot breastfeed. It is human nature! Think about it, how did moms feed their kids before formula was created in the early 20th century?? Excluding of course the very wealthy women who hired wet nurses to feed their kids, all women nursed their babies. I think often times women have a hard time because they don't nurse fulltime, which in turn reduces their supply. However, tons of women nurse part-time and feed formula in addition and they are extremely successful! Maybe some women don't fully comprehend the commitment it takes to nurse exclusively. It requires letting your baby dictate their feeding schedule. Once again...the supply and demand factor. You have to trust your baby and feed him/her when they say their hungry. Sometimes this can be overwhelming because when they hit a growth spurt, they sometimes want to nurse every hour or two even when they're older and it seems like they shouldn't need to eat--they do!
Anyway, sorry to have gone on, but I don't understand why so many women have been mislead as to, what I refer to as the "Art of Breastfeeding." Best wishes!

Just a note, I've exclusively nursed all three of my children.
Please contact me if I can help!

L. :-)

Every woman is able to breastfeed if they don't have medical conditions that would permit it. When you are breastfeeding it can take 4 days before your milk really starts to get it's demand down. Keep with it, it will be painful at first so use LOTS of Lanolin, Lansinoh makes a GREAT Lanolin (it comes in a purple box). Apply it generously and as often as you want. The baby can also consume it if there is some left on your nipples (which I'm sure if you use it in the beginning there will be) when the baby nurses. As you continue to breastfeed you'll notice that you don't wake up engorged as often or that your breasts won't feel as full. This is just because your body is accustoming itself to you breastfeeding, and also your milk changes so your baby won't need to eat as much because your milk can become fattier so less milk fills the baby faster. As long as your baby has pleanty of wet diapers (around 6 or more) then your baby is getting enough. As for your breasts being small this does not matter. Smaller breasts will hold less but because of this they'll produce milk much faster than someone with bigger breasts. I myself started out at a 32AA before I was pregnant and now when I am full I am a 34B. My breasts didn't get much bigger when I was pregnant. In fact my breasts didn't get to the size they are now until I started breastfeeding and my milk came in about 4 days after I started. My daughter is now 4 months old tomorrow and gets more than enough milk. Just a heads up their will be times when your baby will seem to not want to stop feeding and you'll think that he/she isn't getting enough, but your baby is just having a growth spurt and it won't last long, a few days at the most. You'll notice that you'll have more milk and your baby will be satisfied again, and back on a more normal feeding schedule. I hope this answers your questions.
KC Ruey

Breast size doesn't have anything to do with breastfeeding. I wasn't producing anything for about a week after, but I was committed and determined to breastfeed. Although my son came home on formula, everytime he ate, I pumped and withing a week, I had more milk than I knew what to do with! Stick with it and there are lots of resources out there to help you through it. Hospital Lactation consultants, breastfeeding stores, le Lecha leagues... good luck-you can do it!

Hello!
In case this has not been suggested yet, check in with your hospital if they have lacation consultants so you can get a good start right from the beginning. They should be able to come to your room after the birth and help you with positioning of the baby, care etc and also with the hospital pump to get things going.
Good luck!

Breast size doesn't matter. I have samall breasts and I was able to breastfeed my son for the first year of his life. Milk production is supply and demand the more your child nurses the more milk you will produce. My son was jaundice when he was born so he wasn't very enthusiastic about eating so I used an electric breastpump to stimulate my milk ducts and just saved the milk for when he was hungry.

Almost ALL women can breastfeed. Your breast size has abosolutely nothing to do with it. Many women I know have extrememly small breasts and have been breastfeeding their babies successfully for several months. Some of my friends with small breasts have said they think it's easier to breastfeed because of it- the baby has latched on very easily.

To be a successful breastfeeder, I would suggest doing some research on it. Contact your local La Leche League, and I recommend reading the book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding". If you have any questions about breastfeeding, feel free to contact me. I have successfully breastfed my first baby for 8 months now, and we're still going strong.