Anyone got naturally misshapen nipples and bf ok?

[readysetcake]

DC2 is 2 days old so we’re very early in. But I Struggled to bf DC1 and only made 6 weeks. It was basically a shit show of problems. Partly due to DC1 not wanting to latch / being fussy and down to my flat and oddly shaped nipples. Undiagnosed thrush and cracked nipples that wouldn't heal.
They’re very small, and slanted, like a lopsided triangle when you look down on them. so even when elongated they look a bit lipstick. They also don’t stick out far at all. They’re getting mashed up again and I’m keen to avoid the trauma of last time as it ruined the first precious weeks with my first. As this is my last baby I’m not going to let that happen again. Though DC 2 is easier to latch and less fussy, so I’m hopeful.

Any success stories? Or do I have uniquely weird nipples ?

[Icklepickle101]

I have weird nipples, confirmed by almost every midwife

Bed was painful for quite a while, the first 4 weeks I spent a lot of time in tears over it and dreading every feed and cracked/bleeding nipples became normal. Then it got better, apparently the size of babies mouth plays a massive factor in discomfort when it comes to weird nipples.

Honestly haven’t decided if I will go through the trauma with DD who is due very soon, it really cast a shadow over the first few weeks and I look back very sadly on it

[Sportsnight]

I have flat/ inverted nipples. Actually probably should say had, because after 4 years of bf (2 per child) one of them has stopped being flat. The inverted one is still inverted. Anyway, the 4 years is a bit of a giveaway, but after a very painful start and a couple of weeks of formula top ups both times, I was able to continue breastfeeding without any additional formula. See a breastfeeding counsellor if you can. They can really help.

[gingerbeardlove]

try nipplette by avent.

[user1494670108]

I had to use shields with dd who was tiny but eventually my flat nipples kind of emerged and ds who was a hungry strapping baby was much easier. Defitnely the bigger the baby's mouth the easier, I just kind of squished my large flat nipple together and shoved it in his mouth. Nothing elegant about it at all!!!

[readysetcake]

sort you have weird nipples too @icklepickle101. I too look back very sadly at the first few weeks. Really don’t want that to be the case this time. My boy was born at 8lb 9 so I’m hoping if it’s just a case of getting a bigger mouth it won’t take him too long.
I will be doing formula top ups if the pain gets too much @sportsnight. But good to know it can get better. I just don’t think I’m strong enough to go through the pain of last time if it lasts as long. Setting myself small goals at the moment.

I’ll look

[readysetcake]

I’ll look into the nipplet things. Thanks!

[readysetcake]

Haha user that’s what we’re doing. It’s definitely been better than my DD at this early stage. So fingers crossed. Thanks for the replies

[gingerbeardlove]

sorry hadn't meant to be so abrupt in my message earlier.
I tried and failed to breastfeed two babies with flat nipples (they're big when out but very flat normally) and instead had to pump every feed for 9 months which almost killed me from exhaustion.
I heard about nipplette a couple of years ago and I used them in prep for my next baby. you wear them everynight for 3 months and it pulls your nipples out permanently. doesn't hurt a bit just suctions them out.
in fact when people want surgery to have flat nipples corrected, drs usually recommend trying these first.
It's worked for me but only prob is now I do have nipples like chapel coat pegs
Ah well, DP and the baby ain't complaining.

[mindutopia]

Agree with something to pull the nipples out if needed. I have flat nipples and struggled horribly with my first, she couldn’t latch, also undiagnosed thrush (well, they told me it wasn’t thrush, but it was, got exactly the same again this time, it was thrush, treated it and it went away). I used supple cups this time, which are similar to nipplette. They helped to pull my nipples out until we could figure out any latch issues. Also just treating the thrush and not being fobbed off helped! I used the supple cups for the first 2 weeks. I only bf my first for 6 weeks. But ds is now 12 weeks and I’ve been able to bf him with no problems. Not even needed a top up and no pain or latch issues after 2 weeks. The difference has been amazing! Partly it was down to just having a different baby but also down to using the supple cups, if nothing else for my own confidence.