do flat nipples hinder breast feeding?

[luckymummy2Sophie]

Hi all,
I've been succesfully bf my 4 month old dd, (feel very lucky that it's gone well).
My best mate is due dec '06, v keen to follow suit and breast feed, but worried cos both her sisters and mum couldn't breast feed despite having lots of practical support. She says the family have a tendancy for 'flat nipples' and is wondering if this is why none of them have been able to breast feed. She read in a book that it's like baby trying to feed from an apple!!! Does anyone have any experience, knowledge or comments???? Thanks

Thanks for the reply. I am keen to be able to reassure her, as I have enjoyed breast feeding. She's trying not to get anxious beforehand, so if I can tell her that other people have managed it with 'flat nipples' (I just hate the word nipple anyway!!), I think she'll go into it more positively. Thanks

I have (well, had) flat nipples. BF sorts them out. If they are erect when you try to latch the baby on, then that helps. Alternatively, you can pump a tiny bit before feeding, to draw them out.

There are BF classes you can take before having a baby, which can be very useful. They also get you in touch with local BFCs, which is very very useful.

Mine were the same. Bfing definitely changes things, though! It takes a while for them to come out a bit, but tell her to keep at it. A friend has very short nipples - her description - and is using nipple shields very successfully.

I had one flat nipple and one inverted nipple. I have to say bf was a struggle at first. It was so bad I nearly gave up, but I used nipple sheild just until I was used to it and my nipples healed which sorted the problem out (despite the midwife insisting it wouldn't) I have very proudly exclusively bf all my three (my first until she was 18 months , second til he was 7 months and my third til she was 11 months)
And happily I have lovely purt little nips now!!!!

THANK-YOU all so much. I went to BF class, which I found brill, and she's booked on the same one. I will be able to show her these replies, and I'm sure it will reassure her. I am loving MN!!!! (just joined)

I had one inverted and one flat nipple...and I don't now
It's great that you are going to help your friend get started on b/f - supportive friends can make such a difference.
Do reassure her that nipple shape and size really should not be an issue for most women (and flat/inverted nipples are very, very common).