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Original poster

Breastfeeding & small nipples.

29 replies

marymungoNminge · 18/09/2023 08:33

Hi everyone.

Actively trying for DC2.
I didn't get to breastfeed with DD as I was on a lot of medication at the time and I wasn't long out of having cancer, it was just the wrong time and I had too many medications.

Things are different this time, on a lot less medication, and I really would like to try and breastfeed or at least combi feed. I had so much milk come in last time and it made me so sad to let it all dry up. Will that be the same this time, do people see patterns in their milk supply when it comes to subsequent children?
Does anyone have any advice? I really want to be prepared which is why I'm looking into this now so I can have as much information as possible. I might be being a bit silly asking this before I'm pregnant I know. (Waiting patiently to test in the next few days..)

The only thing that baffles me is that I have tiny nipples. They got a lot darker when pregnant with DD but they didn't change in size. They're much lighter now. They aren't inverted at all, just about the size of a 10p and my actual nipple bit is very small (smaller than a rubber tip on a pencil) so I'm worried they will be too small for a good latch. I didn't do any research into breastfeeding with DD as I knew from the start I wouldn't be able to.

Any tips / tricks welcome. Total novice here so would like to be prepared and do lots of research!

Thank you!

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 18/09/2023 08:45

It’s not the size of your nipples that matters, it’s what’s in your breast.

BBno4 · 18/09/2023 08:48

I think mine are the same and I've bf 3 children.

Original poster
marymungoNminge · 18/09/2023 09:04

I thought as much - thank you. I know absolutely nothing about breastfeeding so I need to start researching.

OP posts:

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Original poster
marymungoNminge · 18/09/2023 12:17

Anyone else have any good tips?

OP posts:
somethinghastochangesoon · 18/09/2023 12:29

I was the same. I ended up going to one of the free classes in the hospital which was useful

Original poster
marymungoNminge · 18/09/2023 14:13

somethinghastochangesoon · 18/09/2023 12:29

I was the same. I ended up going to one of the free classes in the hospital which was useful

Oh interesting! Was this an antenatal / drop in type of thing?

OP posts:
somethinghastochangesoon · 18/09/2023 14:24

I can't really remember but I told my midwife I was struggling with it and she said it's cause your nipples are inverted and tiny.

I didn't even know I had inverted nipples and I am not even sure if I have. They don't stay out out all the time?

Anyway she recommended a class at the hospital so if you ask your midwife she should know of something somewhere.

Good luck.

Somethingsnappy · 18/09/2023 14:25

Don't worry about nipple size. When breastfeeding, babies should take a large mouthful of breast (remember breastfeeding, not nipple feeding!). If the baby was trying to suck on the nipple, it would be painful for you, and an ineffective latch. The nipple should be deep inside the baby's mouth. Look up ways to help acheive a good deep latch, such as biological nurturing (otherwise known as laid back breastfeeding). This is a brilliant position with a newborn baby, allowing the baby to use their newborn reflexes to seek the breast and gain a deep latch.

As for supply, it certainly was the case for me that I had a similar milk supply with all 4 of my babies.

Best of luck!

theworldhasgoneinsane · 18/09/2023 14:27

I think it's reassurance you need not tips! It really won't matter, good luck and congratulations

millymae · 18/09/2023 14:42

Speaking from experience - don’t worry about the small nipples.
If I’m anything to go on I wouldn’t worry about milk supply either. When I had my second baby the GP asked how I was getting on at my 6 week check up. I made the mistake of mentioning that I was leaking badly (and I really was - it wasn’t just a tiny dribble) from the other breast whilst I was feeding. I was certainly put in my place by his response which was that there were many who would be very happy to be in my position and that I should just hold a bottle there and save it.
For me I would say that my supply increased with my second baby and remained good for the two that followed. I’m way past the breast feeding stage now but it was always said that the more baby suckled the more milk you produced and it might just be that as I became more confident I was more willing to feed the other 3 more frequently than I did with my first.

planeberry · 18/09/2023 14:43

I'm the same, and happily fed all of mine for a year each.

Original poster
marymungoNminge · 18/09/2023 14:51

Well I have just taken a test on my lunch break as I couldn't wait any longer and there's a line! It's not dark but definitely there. I can't believe it! Period is due in 2 days (ish)

I'm not sure if my nipples are inverted. They're not always erect and are sometimes very flat but thank you for all of your advice it's really helpful. I'm glad to read that it's a non-issue if you have small nips. If things progress well, there is a breastfeeding drop in near me so I'll definitely give that a visit!

Oh my goodness, I think this is really happening again!

To those who breastfed, did you take any formula to the hospital? (I know I'm thinking way ahead but I can't even think straight now and it saves me doing another thread later on)

OP posts:
DanielsDancingMonkey · 18/09/2023 14:53

I had so much milk with my first that I could have filled a bath. The second child had tongue tie and didn’t latch as well. The first was only a year old when I got pregnant with the second, and I had much less for him because I was knackered. There was even less for the children after that. I just supplemented with powder and didn’t worry about it. They all got fed. I did keep going for a year with each of them. That was enough.

MayMi · 18/09/2023 14:56

Mine are small and flat but I BF'd my DD for a year and that was fine. Produced a lot of milk like you did too.

I found that mine changed after giving birth/a few days into starting breastfeeding. They were bigger and stood up more, both when stimulated or not. So you might find that yours will change too, and you'll probably find certain positions and methods work better for you than other ones, but this is a learning process which can only really begin after your baby arrives. But for the time being you can educate yourself more on this subject so you feel less worried and more prepared for when you need it 🙌🏻

Funnily enough as well but mine went mostly back to their original state after I finished breastfeeding.

I recommend checking out @ lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc on Instagram, she's great and very informative

fearfuloffluff · 18/09/2023 15:06

Congratulations!

The only thing you might want to consider is whether you might need small size flangey things for a breast pump, because they suck your nipple in and might pinch if you're on the small side. I don't know if that's definitely the case.

I didn't take formula to hospital with me. DD1 needed it (1 week stay after CS) and hospital provided it to begin with. Never needed it with DC2.

You might also find that your nipples change a fair bit with breastfeeding - a bit bigger and more nobbly!

TheBarbieEffect · 18/09/2023 15:09

To those who breastfed, did you take any formula to the hospital?

No. It’s too easy to give in then.

Redebs · 18/09/2023 15:33

Small nipples will possibly make things easier at the start.
The 2 keys to successful breastfeeding are getting a good latch (lots of breast in the mouth, baby moving jaw and ear wiggling) and frequent feeding.
You might need a bit of determination and persevered, but its so massively convenient and better for baby, that it's worth it.
Don't get any formula in -it's tempting to give in if you do and it signals to other peoplw that you're not serious about breastfeeding. If anything goes wrong in hospital, they will provide replacement feeds for baby.
Your nipples can get sore at first, but as long as you don't get a crack or mastitis ( get to GP for quick remedy antibiotics - you can keep on feeding the other side and pump the injured one) then they will toughen up after a few days.
Be prepared to 'nest' with baby the first couple of weeks and get someone to look after you, cook etc while you do.

All the best.

June628 · 18/09/2023 15:49

Congratulations!!
your hospital will provide formula if you need it- I only took it with DC2 because the hospital doesn’t provide veggie one.
Make sure you ask for all the help you need with positioning/ latching and find out if your hospital has an infant feeding team and ask the MW to put you in touch with them it you feel you need it once you’ve given birth.
Find out what your local bf groups are.

Good luck 😊

BBno4 · 18/09/2023 18:20

Hi, my hospital changed its policy and in my notes ( I'm 13w) it says they no longer provide formula

BBno4 · 18/09/2023 18:25

My tips for bf,

  1. Put your nipple on babies nose and they will open their mouth wide then using your free hand help bring the nipple to the babies mouth. If the latch is bad, use your little finger to break the suction and tey again.
  1. I bf 3 children and each time, for the first 2 weeks, my nipples were cracked and sore. Very painful if I let them dry. All of the advice is to keep them dry, but don't. Keep them wet. Use nipple pads that have been damp with breast milk and only change them when they get very full. Use nipple cream aswell. Your nipples will heal with a wet wound. When I tried the dry advice with no1. It took a lot longer to heal and I would freshly feel the pain each time the baby fed.
Perihelion · 18/09/2023 18:49

Your nipples are large compared to mine. Just measured and I can completely cover mine with a 5p 😂
Breast fed my DD for a year.

Original poster
marymungoNminge · 18/09/2023 20:39

BBno4 · 18/09/2023 18:25

My tips for bf,

  1. Put your nipple on babies nose and they will open their mouth wide then using your free hand help bring the nipple to the babies mouth. If the latch is bad, use your little finger to break the suction and tey again.
  1. I bf 3 children and each time, for the first 2 weeks, my nipples were cracked and sore. Very painful if I let them dry. All of the advice is to keep them dry, but don't. Keep them wet. Use nipple pads that have been damp with breast milk and only change them when they get very full. Use nipple cream aswell. Your nipples will heal with a wet wound. When I tried the dry advice with no1. It took a lot longer to heal and I would freshly feel the pain each time the baby fed.

This is invaluable. Thank you so much. I've saved this to the notes in my phone.

I'm going to do one more test tomorrow morning then tell DH.
I can't believe this is happening!

OP posts:
Original poster
marymungoNminge · 18/09/2023 20:40

Perihelion · 18/09/2023 18:49

Your nipples are large compared to mine. Just measured and I can completely cover mine with a 5p 😂
Breast fed my DD for a year.

Oh yours are tiny! Thank you, it's become clear nipple size makes no difference whether big or small. I don't know why my mind read into it to much!

OP posts:
lilsupersparks · 18/09/2023 21:18

My nipples sound significantly smaller than yours and I BF 4 kids including twins. I can’t imagine having nipples anywhere near the size of a rubber on the end of a pencil!

Mazz1918 · 18/09/2023 21:41

There's always a problem with bf I swear. Too small a nipple, too big a nipple (mine), oversupply, undersupply, baby having a recessed jaw, tongue tie ect ect

The main thing is with bf is perseverance. Eventually you and baby will get the hang of it.