Growth Spurts. What's to know?

I first wrote this on Bounty waay back when my first was about 11 months, she's now 6. I've learnt even more since feeding her brother, who is now 4.
I also shared this on Lactivist too but I felt it appropriate to share it here too.

Growth Spurts, the universal mystery!


Growth spurts are really really obvious in breastfed children, to others that is!

A friend will notice ‘oh, s/he’s feeding a lot, maybe you should give a dummy or a bottle of formula’ and so on. This is poor advice and comes from people who don’t understand Growth Spurts or breastfeeding. It’s not their fault though, they just don’t know otherwise cause no one tells them, or you for that matter.

Growth spurts seem to be the big secret that shalt never be discussed with breastfeeding mums. Don’t know why because it is important.

There are several growth spurts throughout the first year.

7-10 days is one. Looks like baby isn’t getting enough sets mum into a panic, it’s normal baby is just increasing milk supply.

5-10 weeks. this can happen earlier and again, looks like baby isn’t getting enough, breasts now start to feel ‘empty’. to get through them, feed!

16-19 weeks. This is the BIG 4 months growth spurt, the one where the dread of not satisfying your child and the feeling of failure washes over you like a tsunami. This one can last a while, weeks sometimes. A lot of mums (inc me) question milk supply and wonder if solids need to be introduced. This can be a toughie of a growth spurt but it is well worth sticking through it and just feeding as and when baby needs, even at 3am and then 5am.

Around the 6 month mark is another one, not as bad as the 4 month one and a little easier to detect because of your experiences of the 4 month one.

Around 9 months is another, again, it’s not as big and can sometimes coincide with a bout of teething and a nursing strike. Growth Spurts are not a sign of baby needing other foods other than human milk, they are not a sign that supply is low, they are normal biological developments in and infants growth cycle.

Listen to them, research them and persevere. I wrote the first section when my son was only 5 month old, November 2010, I wrote it from the experience of feeding my daughter who at the time was 25 months and who I fed for 12 months and 2 days. My son is now 29 months and is still feeding away. I now know of other growth spurts.

There’s a growth spurt around 12-14 months when you suddenly feel you have a newborn again, it’s just this ‘newborn’ is a lot bigger and can move about a lot more and has teeth. It can be hard work but again, so worth the perseverance. At about 20 months we have another spurt, generally coincides with teething and some serious fussy behaviour. This one can be quite frustrating for both mum and baby, your baby is now a toddler, walking, maybe even talking and learning even more about their surroundings. It’s can be frustrating for mum because your toddler can be on and off you like a jackhammer and being really vocally demanding for milk, sometimes you get a little touched out by it but like the rest of the spurts they do pass. Some pass quicker than others, some start sooner or later than others. The main thing to remember is they do pass and they are part of normal infant development and behaviour and you can guarantee you are not alone in experiencing them.

...Update - new info;
Since this stage, I noticed 2 more growth spurts. There is one around 2 years old. This one had me feeling touched out often. It felt like my boy was being a Yoyo, on off on off on off etc. It was hard work, brief but intense. It seem to coincide with much more frequent night time wakings too. Thank heavens I could feed lying down.
At 2 and a half there seems to be another one of these brief but intense spurts. It was very similar to the 2 year one, just with a little less waking. It's hard to come to terms with night time waking when they've been sleeping soundly for at least 4 months.

My boy weaned at 3 and a half years old. There weren't any more growth spurts for us in those last 12 months but they may have been for you.
Please do share if you noticed any further growth spurts in this timeline. Every little bit of info helps.

FactualMama

7 tips for breastfeding with large breasts: The Myths We Read

BellyBelly.com.au wrote this article here As a bigger breasted mum, I felt the need to respond to this, so here it is.

Whether small or large, breasts are made for breastfeeding. However, a mum with a DD cup may have different challenges than a mum with smaller breasts. If you are large-chested, here some considerations when breastfeeding your baby:

1, Mums can be much bigger than a DD, in fact they can be up to an M cup. 2, being a larger size doesn't necessarily mean a mum will experience 'different' challenges.

As a mum with a chest 8 sizes bigger than a DD cup, I am going to go through this article, that generalises, misinforms and ultimately misunderstands the lady with the bigger breasts, and dispel some myths & misconceptions.

Breastfeeding Tip #1: Get A Good Bra

During your final months of pregnancy, go bra shopping at a good lingerie store where you can be properly fitted. Keep in mind that when your milk comes in, your breasts will likely increase in size. You’ll want something supportive, in the right cup size, with wide, comfortable straps and band. Your breasts will get heavier when your milk comes in, and you don’t want your bra carving grooves in your shoulders! Also, a bra that’s too small can cause blocked ducts or mastitis, or even a decrease in milk supply, due to the pressure it puts on the breasts. So absolutely make sure you’re wearing the right size – even if it means being professionally fitted.

As I said on a friends FB wall. A pointless & expensive exercise! BAAAAAAD advice! So bad my head hurts. No! DO NOT get fitted BEFORE your baby arrives! If you do, the bra you buy will NEVER fit you! I have 2 children, who I nursed with my enormous mams. I have wore that T-shirt TWICE! Bigger chested women can't afford to do this for one thing, the other thing is, the general rule is you go up 2 sizes, yes? WRONG! You can fluctuate HUGELY once baby is here. I made this God awful mistake & it cost me a small fortune, a fortune I couldn't actually afford! To walk into Debenhams/Mothercare etc. you can pick off the peg a G cup bra in a twin pack that won't break the bank. That's great but not helpful, if like me you balloon past a G, a H, a J (see where I'm going) a nursing bra, JUST ONE, will cost on average, £35.99. If you a looking for support and comfort, you are looking at £50+. That is just for 1 bra remember. When you get to these bigger than a G cup sizes, comfort seems to escape the manufacturer. It is incredibly difficult finding a good bra when you are above a G cup.

My advice, go for stretch over support! I couldn't have nursed without my Carriwell drop cup stretchy bra's! They were fab! Easy to clean as well.

In the first 4-8 weeks (maybe more, maybe less) stretch over support is vital! Maybe after this period, go out and find a good nursing bra....if you want.

You may need a stretchy bra for sleeping, to give you support throughout the night – especially if you leak a lot. Don’t wear underwires or you could end up with blocked ducts or a nasty case of mastitis, and try to buy an all-cotton bra if you can (especially if you are prone to rashes where your breasts touch your other skin).

Sorry? Don't use underwires? Er, how about mind your own business!!!! There is a certain size in cup where you can only buy wired bra's. I wore wired bra's. It was after the first 6 weeks & I made sure they were well fitting bra's. It was far cheaper & comfier, for me, to buy regular bra's and convert them. I NEVER suffered from mastitis & the only time I had a blocked duct was due to over supply whilst I was still in the stretchy bra phase. Saying things like “Underwires cause mastitis” is not only inaccurate (if you are wearing the right size bra) it limits mothers options. I'm not just talking about big boobed mums either! ALL mums can suffer mastitis, regarldess of that bra they wear, or don't wear. A 'nasty case' of mastitis can effect every breastfeeding mum! STOP SCARE MONGURING it is NOT helpful!

Breastfeeding Tip #2: Try A Variety Of Positions

Large-breasted mothers can rarely put their baby in a cradle hold and just nurse. The cross-cradle and football/clutch holds seem to be easier for learning to latch while at the same time manipulating a large amount of breast tissue. Side lying is typically easy for mothers with large breasts, because the bed supports the breast. If you decide to use football/clutch hold, be cautious as the weight of your breast may put too much pressure on baby’s lower jaw or chest.

If you need to use pillows to get baby to breast level, do so. But many mothers with pendulous breasts What? Are you 15? I'm pretty sure if “fried eggs on a surf board” had have been used, there'd be outrage! Don't use offensive terminology please, you put off your reader! find that pillows lift the baby too high. You may be able to lay baby on your lap for latching.

URGH! You have no idea how much this bull sh*t incensed me! It's ridiculous advice like this that peddles the “you can't breastfeed, your boobs are too big” myth! Ladies, BREASTFEED YOUR BABY HOW YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE!! If you are most comfortable in cross cradle, do that! If it's the classic cradle hold that floats your boat, do that! If the rugby ball hold is your fave, do that! If being laid flat on your back suits you and your baby, do that! Do not let anyone, HCP, mate, stranger in the street, dictate to you how you should position your baby! This goes for ALL mums too. I know some mum's who were considerably smaller than me in the chest department who couldn't ever feed in the classic cradle hold. I on the other hand, had absolutely no issue with it what so ever. It worked for my baby and I and that is what mattered!

I do wonder how many mums were told “big boobs, rugby ball hold” and failed to breastfeed because it didn't suit them & they didn't know there were other holds they COULD try?? Makes you think doesn't it?

Breastfeeding Tip #3: Support Your Breast Throughout A Feed

Forget multitasking, Why? especially with a newborn. Seriously? You’re going to need both of your hands for feeding, and not just for the latch. Just your opinion honey! Keep your fingers far back from the areola, and under all of your breast tissue (shape your hand into the letter ‘C’ and put your fingers under the breast against the chest wall, and the thumb on top of the breast). If your breast isn’t supported, gravity may pull the nipple out of your baby’s mouth, or you may end up with sore nipples because baby is clamping down to keep from losing the nipple to gravity’s pull. Another option is to roll a towel, washcloth or small blanket, and put it under your breast against your chest wall. This may allow you to have one hand free once your baby is latched.

I strongly disagree with this! No surprises there. Just because a mother happens to be above a DD doesn't mean she can not feed hands free without aids. Saying “forget multitasking” is the equivalent of saying, “Forget feeding yourself, if you want to live a normal life like us smaller breasted mums can” TURN OFF! I know some mums, smaller than me, who had to hold their breast whilst feeding their baby! I did have to hold mine for a little bit but I was soon feeding hands free, without additional aids & MULTITASKING, *shock horror*...oooh get me! Don't just assume it's a big breasted issue, because it isn't. (as is 99% of this article....*eye-roll*)

Breastfeeding Tip #4: Try Different Techniques When Latching

The weight of the milk inside your breast being pulled down by gravity may be causing flat nipples – even if your nipples are typically erect. Breast support may help, as will frequent nursing. If you can’t see what you’re doing when you’re latching (you can’t even tell if baby is hitting the areola bull’s-eye because you’ve got so much breast tissue), ask for help or nurse in front of a mirror.

Headdesk Headdesk headdesk!!! Who on earth did you talk to? “You can't even tell if your baby is hitting the areola bull’s-eye because you've got so much breast tissue” The phrases F* You & F* Off come to mind! That is just rude! I am 8 sizes bigger than a DD, I can see my nipple and areola just fine thanks! That comment is so demeaning & insensitive, it's just beyond belief!! How this bit was published is beyond me!

Flat nipples don't just affect large chested mothers, they can affect ALL mothers! Frequent nursing isn't always the best answer either as this can cause over supply making the flat nipple issue worse! Honest to God, this is poor advice for average sized & smaller than average breasted mothers, let alone those of us with a bit more in our bra's.

Also, try using a ‘breast sandwich’ to create a firm structure for baby to latch onto. To do this, compress the breast tissue so that it’s parallel to the opening of baby’s mouth as you bring your baby to the breast. Keep your fingers back so they don’t get in the way of latching, and bring the baby in chin first. Can’t figure out what this means? Think about what you’d do if you were eating a big sandwich: you’d squish it down a little, then put it on your bottom jaw first and close the top of your jaw next. This is what you want to help your baby achieve.

OH dear Lord! 1 technique offered, a technique many mums find painful! It's appalling you didn't research other methods of latching techniques and shows your lack of consideration and empathy for bigger breasted mothers!

Ladies, you can use the less painful 'exaggerated latch' technique as well.

Place the bottom of your areola on babies bottom lip, gently roll the nipple into babies mouth. It may take a couple of times to get it (like with any latching technique, it's all trial and error) but once you do, pain free feeding here we come.

I used this technique for both of my children, they gained a 1lb a week :) it can be done.

Breastfeeding Tip #5: Beware Of Itchy Skin

Mothers with large breasts may have itchiness and stretch marks just from their breast growth causing skin stretching. Try using a gentle lotion to relieve the itch – something natural like organic virgin coconut oil (which also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties), olive oil or sweet almond oil, since baby’s face and hands will be right there much of the time.

Well-endowed women are more prone to yeast and bacterial infections or heat rash in the folds underneath the breast or between the breasts. Wear a cotton bra, and change bras if it feels especially sweaty. When you bathe, wash the breasts with water (not soap), and dry them thoroughly, especially underneath. Some mothers even use a hair dryer on low to get the area fully dried.

“Well-endowed women are more prone to yeast and bacterial infections or heat rash in the folds underneath the breast or between the breasts.” And again, WHO are you talking to? I have NEVER had any of these issues in my life & I've had big boobs for a long time!!

“Mothers with large breasts may have itchiness and stretch marks just from their breast growth causing skin stretching.” No, Mothers of Breasts, Not large or small, ANY sized breasts may experience this! I didn't & my ample bosom is bigger than most!

Breastfeeding Tip #6: Learn To Breastfeeding Anywhere

Public breastfeeding may be challenging with large breasts, as more breast may be exposed than you’re comfortable with. It’s not as simple as gently lifting your shirt with your baby cradled in the crook of your arm. Try nursing in front of a mirror until you’re comfortable with how much breast is being exposed.

Holy Crap, you really know how to rile a big boobed mother! Breastfeeding in public can be challenging full stop! It makes no difference what size breasts you have. Some smaller than average mums may be crippled by public feeding because of what they 'have' to expose to feed! Feeding in front of a mirror is good advice for ALL mums (I wonder how many times I've said ALL mums??) who feel self concisions/shy/lacking in confidence. Feeding in public can be difficult for ALL mums. “It's not as simple as lifting your shirt” Actually, for me it was! I found I could show off less boob than some of my fellow smaller boobed feeders! The thing is, this type of talk, targeting big breasted mums & pretty much saying they ARE going to struggle, especially in public has the opposite effect than what you are wanting. They don't see the point in trying because they are made to feel it's going to be harder! Well it isn't! Big boobed mums don't need to read horse sh*t like this!

Breastfeeding Tip #7: If You’re Worried About Milk Supply …

Some mothers with large breasts never feel engorged when their milk comes in, and they never seem to feel full between feedings. This can cause a lot of unnecessary worry about milk supply. The best way to a strong milk supply is nursing your baby often. You’ll know he’s getting enough if he has plenty of wet and dirty nappies/diapers every day. And you can call yourself lucky for not having to deal with painfully hard breasts!

You have GOT to be kidding right? Who the hell did you talk to? Seriously because this is just completely untrue on every level! There are mums with tiny breasts who have no let down sensation or engorgement issues yet feed a healthy baby just fine! Again you generalise. I on the other hand, had engorgement and my let down was like hot glass/knives rippling through my breasts. It was so painful I would cry!

What you need to do with this article is remove the 'large' from in front of 'breasts'. What you have written here affects ALL mothers, some more than others, some not at all. To target and scare larger breasted mothers is just unforgivable.

I fear you have put larger breasted mothers/women off breastfeeding in the future with this article. It's shameful really.

Breast size is determined by the amount of fatty tissue, but the amount of milk a mum can store in her breasts between feedings is determined by the structure of her milk making glands. Small breasted women may have a large storage capacity and vice versa. Storage capacity affects how long you can go between feedings without compromising your milk making capabilities. Just because you have large breasts doesn’t necessarily mean you can go long periods between feedings. So nursing your baby often remains the best way to ensure a good milk supply – whether A-cup or DD-cup or more.

It's narrow minded to state to just a DD cup!

This article angered me so much, I had to respond. I am a big breasted mother of 2 who I breastfed & who I expressed for.

The 'problems' you tagged onto larger breasted mothers are universal issues that can affect every single one of us, regardless of the size of our milk units.

I would personally like you to retract your article, do some proper research & then re-write it. It is too narrow minded, too cut and dry & frankly, plays right into the myths surrounding breastfeeding with larger breasts.

Ultimately, if you want to breastfeed, you can do it. The size of your breasts doesn't matter. Your attitude however does matter.

If you read this article and were put off because you have bigger boobs, please don't be.

FactualMama