Inverted nipples-dare I even try?

[icooksocks]

I am 10 weeks pregnant with DC4 and have started to think about the whole breastfeed/bottlefeed thing. All three previous DC's have been exclusively bottlefed from birth-but each time there has been that niggling instinct to take them to the breast.
I was told when I was pregnant with DC1 (I was also very young) that breastfeeding is almost certainly likely to fail with inverted nipples-and I can assure you, my nipples are not flat-they are most definitely pointing inwards (damn stupid body )
So please tell me-is it possible or is it just a pipedream? Is there any chance I could feed my last child myself?

Yes, yes, and yes again! I am on my phone so can't find you any specific info. But it is doable! Google it, check out kellymom too. Hope someone will have more info soon. X

Hello icooksocks, yes its possible, im doing it now! 8 weeks in and still going strong! Like u my nips are completely inverted and have never shown the slightest inclination to come out! DS wouldnt latch on at all so we used nipple shields to start with but we've gradually reduced the amount of time we're using them and he does latch on more now. I've used them a lot though and its had no negative affect on my supply and DS has gained weight nicely. It has been seriously hard work and the first four or five weeks I wanted to give up.so many times but if u really want to do it you can :)

Yes, my midwife told me that my "flat" nipples were the problem with DS and subsequently my new midwife has told me that is tosh and she has supported lots of women with inverted nipples to BF.

You can get little suction thingys to pull them out a bit, or express using a breast pump to do the same, or use shields, "form" your boob with one hand whilst latching etc. There are lots of different tactics to try!

I'd get in touch with your local bf support group / clinic and try and get some expert advice now, so you are ready to give it your best shot.

One of mine is flat - or was- and 11 months later it is his favourite side!
Good luck.

Second the idea of going to BF cafe or group

Mine were flat, we used nipple shields and are still going strong at 18 weeks! It's not been an easy road, and I wish I'd gone to a breastfeeding group before to get some good advice, but at about 10 weeks it became much easier. Good luck!