I've had a hard time visualising the teacup hold, but think I've got a pretty
clear view of it. I would like to add some thoughts about other ways of
handling heavy and loose-formed breasts.
Many loose formed and heavy breasts also have a nipple that seems to hang
underneath the breast, thus making latching the baby on difficult for the
mom, because she doesn't see what she does. (I know, because I sometimes had
a hard time finding my nipples when breastfeeding). In the early days when
learning to breastfeed sidelying and clutch hold are easier ways for mom to
oversee what is done. In sideluing the breast can just lay on the bed and
baby placed so that he's in line with the nipple, however far away from the
rest of mom that may be.
If feeding in the ''classic'' hold, instead of lifting the breast from
underneath, mom can place her hand (the one opposit to the breast that the
baby will latch on) above her breast, fingers towards the outer two
quadrants/armpit, thumb pointing towards moms neck/shoulder. The hand is
pushed down towards the the chestwall and upwards following the thumbs lead.
The breast is lifted, the nipple comes up with it and protudes forward and
the baby can latch. The baby is then snuggled in realy close, so that the
breast rests between baby and mom' s tummy. Mom can keep her hand like that
or let go, depending on baby's ability to hold the breast and depending on
the size and softness of her breast. Or she can keep her hand like this to do
some deep massaging to enhance milkflow (milkflow can sometimes need some
extra push in large breasts because of the longer transfer distance).
What I often did, when bf my own children -but am reluctant to teach moms and
especially hcp's (because of the risk of misuse as in wrongly used
teacuphold)- is similar to the teacup hold, but what I did was to pinch a
peace of skiin at the top of my breast about 5cm behind the nipple and then
lift the nipple and have it protude a bit more and present it like that to
the baby.

Warmly greeting,

Gonneke
==================
Gonneke van Veldhuizen  =+=  IBCLC, LLLL, MOM  =+=  primairy school teacher

EUROLAC
breastfeeding information centre and lactation consultant practice
http://www.users.skynet.be/eurolac

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