This came up when I asked peoples opinions of a new design, to go on an eco-friendly bag. (I’d still like your comments by the way, I am not sure that ‘breastfeeding’ is the right thing to put underneath it but there is not much space).
Anyway……. some people think that if you hold the breast to get the position right then there’s a chance that once let go it will slip and so can sometimes cause problems. Other people say that holding the breast can increase supply.
Personally I held the breast to get him to latch on but did not hold it through the feed.
So, I think there is no cut and dry right or wrong here, if it works for you it is right.
Which method do you use or prefer? Please let me know, and if you know of any good positioning links I could put on here please let me know them too.
Lisa
I like the design & the font, but agree it looks a bit cramped & would also like it more if she wasn’t holding the breast.
I think I did the same as you, but I am taught as a supporter to encourage women not to rely on holding, as it might cause baby’s head to be at the wrong angle (or rather, not at the best one) and to not get enough of the breast into their mouth. I think that it probably doesn’t matter if there are no problems that might be the result of positioning.
I’ve never heard of it increasing supply though. Do you mean breast compression, which older babies sometimes do?
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The same as Juno, as a supporter we are taught not to encourage ‘holding’ or ‘scissor-fingers’, but in practice I have always held my breast until baby is latched on ‘properly’ and then let go. I think many Mother’s do adopt this position, it seems to come naturally and i’ve rarely to encounter anyone who has gone on to have problems. I have a lovely newborn BF pic with scissor-hold in effect and that baby went on natural term and weaned at 3yrs. Personally i’d say go with it, but it depends on wht kind of come back you may encounter? I’m also not sure about the ‘Breastfeeding’ underneath, it looks cluttered. But I do like the font and the cameo type picture.
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i think having the breast held is a good thing. so often we re told you’re not “allowed” to hold the breast. ive breastfed 3 children (am pregnnt with my 4th) and have huge boobs… 32JJ! if i didnt hold my breast my breat would simply fall out of my bbay mouth or if they were suitable under my breast for that not to happen my breast would suffocate. if they were then low enough for that not to happen they would only be on my nipple. in my years of breastfeeding i have NEVER been able to feed comfortably and so my breast is emptied without holding my breast.
so long sotry short i say go for the mum holding hte breast… makes a nice change to the cuddle hold that i cant do but wish i could!
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Personally, I never held the breast except when doing compression, but I can see that those with larger breasts may need to.
I think the picture is good, but doesn’t need the writing as ” a picture says a thousand words” or something like that!
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Same as you – I hold the breast until my wee one is latched on and then let go. Apart from anything else, it means I have a free hand to eat cake.
I saw the design on a previous post and meant to comment. I think it looks a bit strange to have the mother holding the breast in the drawing, but can’t quite put my finger on why it does. :-/
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Another big-booby-mama here. I had to support my breast when my daughter was tiny, or there was just no way it was going to work. As she’s gotten bigger (she’s now almost 15 months – and still breastfeeding as much as ever!) I’ve been able to let go, but still usually need to at least used a hand to get it pointed in the right direction for her to latch on.
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Humans are the only mammals to hold the breast. It depends on what position you’re in. If leaning back as in biological nurturing positions/postures, there’s no need to hold the breast. If upright, it may depend on the size of the breast and baby. If she has her hand by her breast then certainly not scissor hold! I’d prefer to see her holding her baby’s hand.
For the caption on an eco-friendly bag, how about ’0% food miles, 100% love’ or ‘liquid love’ or ‘the food of love’?
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I don’t think you need the words either but is lovely design otherwise.
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I really like the design. Was applicaple to me despite not having big boobs! Seems more realistic than the usual cradle hold you see in pictures which is all I thought I needed to do to get my baby to latch – wasn’t quite so easy! I like Alison’s idea of ‘Food of Love’ but would you be able to use that as is title of Kate Evans book??
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Lynn, I am talking to Kate, we have ideas
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Aha brilliant!
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Beautiful illustration.
Boob hold or hand hold w/ baby is good…
Underneath could be a “green statement” like the one suggested above (zero food miles), or human baby human milk etc. & then a web address underneath in smaller size text.
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As a large breasted mother I found it easier to latch my babies by holding my breast. I think this is more because where my breasts hang to naturally I could not see the nipple.
It is best prectice to put the baby to the breast and not the breast to the baby, but in my experience if you want to see what you are doing and you have GG breasts, you are going to have to compromise a bit. So long as the baby ends up near where the nipple would naturally hang to unsupported you don’t have problems with poor latch, biting/clamping down, pulling etc.
Now that my oldest is nearly 3 I find that I have to hold my breast in place otherwise he will haul the breast around too much and his teeth will dig into me as he tries to compress for more let down as I start to run low… oblivious little guy
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Interesting thoughts…I am nursing a 12 month old about 5 times during the day and 3 at night. I am prone to recurrent ductal plugs and mastitis. I haven’t been able to figure out why, as I have just about searched every corner and sought help from every natural practioner, lac consultant…you name it. I realized that I do hold my breasts for him while he’s nursing…not sure why…i did when my breasts were much larger after giving birth but now I am barely a C and I still do it. Do you think that my holding the breasts affects his latch and causes the ductal plugs?
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