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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Breastfeeding with flat nipples

19 replies

JellyBert · 29/12/2016 20:15

Hi, this is quite early as I'm only 10 weeks with DC2 but when DS was born I couldn't manage to bf due to various reasons and I really want to try again. Does anybody have experience bf with flat nipples?
After some googling I found these:

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000WHL2TE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482794067&sr=8-1&keywords=nipple+formers&pi=SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=31wjcGEgRrL&ref=plSrch

But do they actually work? When would I start using them in pregnancy I.e. Is 37 weeks too late? Don't want to start too early as I know it'll be uncomfortable but obviously want to boost my chances.

DS just wouldn't latch, I couldn't manage at all it was impossible for me to get him to latch but I'm hoping this time I'm more prepared & I want to pay for a specialist etc as I'm convinced I want to do it.

OP posts:

Wingingit88 · 29/12/2016 20:18

I have pretty flat nipples and struggled to feed ds1. He struggled to latch on and destroyed my nipples. I used nipple shields for the first 6 weeks which really helped. Gave him a bit more to latch onto. As he got older we gradually weaned off them as we both knew what we were doing. I didn't have any problems feeding ds2 and didn't have to use the shields. Fed both for a year.

Diamondsandpurls · 29/12/2016 20:27

Mine were flat/almost inverted and this worked for me www.argos.co.uk/product/3058853

It's painful to start with but may not be if yours are just flat. I would suggest that you wear them for as long as possible/you can bear now in order to get something the baby can latch onto.

I've now BF two children, the first to age 3 and the second currently going at age 18m and I don't think there's any chance of them going flat again!!
Good luck

Original poster

JellyBert · 29/12/2016 20:41

diamond I have just ordered the nipplette from Amazon. I don't wear a bra in bed so I am hoping that under a padded bra they won't look too obvious so I can wear them for work! Thanks for the inspiration - i do wonder how they will 'pull' them out though when they're just flat! But will give it a try. Do you're nipples look like 'normal' nipples now (sorry TMI question) because I can't see mine ever looking like 'normal' nipples, I have a large areola & they are usually just flat.

Thanks wingingit I do have some nipple shields but couldn't work out how to use them with DS & didn't know where to get help (midwifes were clueless) so I am hoping this time round if I do need to use them somebody can show me how - lol!

OP posts:

TronaldDump · 29/12/2016 20:47

I have one flat nipple (just one???) but it never caused problems (I had enough problems with tongue ties, thrush etc). I found I could 'pop' the nipple out between finger and thumb just before latching on and regular feeding made it stay out for quite a while - sometimes between feeds. I'm sure you've probably tried it and I don't want to minimise any problems you've had but just wanted to share my experience - once we found our stride it was fairly easy to overcome. Tiny babies are just hard!!

TronaldDump · 29/12/2016 20:49

Ps did you have DS checked for tongue tie?

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 29/12/2016 21:02

My nipples are crazy flat but I gave fed 2 DC to age 2. It too both of them a while to master the latch but yours, like mine will be fine, I'm sure

Iflyaway · 29/12/2016 21:06

Had an inverted nipple ugh till I put him on the breast. Don't worry, they will pop out by sucking.

Did it 1 year 2 weeks by which time I had lost so much weight I had to get back on track and him on a bottle. Oh and ignore the screaming too lol how can we ignore the screaming of our PFB!-- started when he was 9 months. Was about 8 stone by the end.

Original poster

JellyBert · 29/12/2016 21:09

Tronald he was jaundice and very sleepy. I have no idea about tongue tie but I just couldn't get him to latch & most of the midwives couldn't either. I know I didn't try hard enough but was exhausted/drained/scared etc & just wanted him fed. This time round I obviously want baby fed but feel like I know a lot more now, am more confident & I am willing to try more things to hopefully manage to bf. Hoping my labour won't be as long for a start

You have all given me confidence, thank you. I'm sure I will be back to ask for advice come July & hopefully I can crack it this time!

OP posts:

Original poster

JellyBert · 29/12/2016 21:10

ifly I definitely need to lose two lots of baby weight so hope bf can help prays

OP posts:

yellowpostitnote · 29/12/2016 21:24

I would honestly contact the la leche league, bf network and Nct bf help line to find out as much info as possible. One of them may be able to point you in the direction of local bf support - hopefully an experienced peer supporter or lactation consultant. Ideally I think you will need support and advice in the early days and weeks, someone who can observe feeds and give good advice.

Support varies around the country but I can tell you exactly who to contact for really good support if you're near the north east or York areas, if you'd like a pm.

Blossomdeary · 29/12/2016 21:27

Mine were inverted - the babies sucked them out themselves.

MyHairNeedsASnip · 29/12/2016 21:30

Using a pump can help draw them out.

TronaldDump · 29/12/2016 22:03

Jelly tongue tie is my soap box topic as both mine had it and i know so many mums who've struggled with it and been told they're doing it wrong/their supply is no good/the baby won't latch.

Complete speculation on my part but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it turned out your DS had posterior tongue tie and your nipple shape had nothing to do with it. Of course you wanted to feed him and if he wouldn't latch on at all it must have been scary as hell - we all do our best for our babies and sounds like you made the right decision.

Wishing you the best of luck. Hope for a happy and healthy boob monster for you in July but if in doubt ask, ask and ask again about tongue tie - it's missed again and again!

BlueBee31 · 29/12/2016 22:23

Jelly I had similar problems getting DS to latch on when first born. He'd get to the nipple but then wouldn't/couldn't suck (poss because flat nipple wasn't triggering his suckling reflex). Got advice from a lactation consultant who recommended nipple shields and I've been using these ones for 8+ months now:

www.mothercare.com/accessories/philips-avent-nipple-protectors/478616.html

Also want to add that I came across articles that claimed nipple shields would affect my supply, which freaked me out, but I didn't have any problems on that front. Just the usual cluster feeding madness in the first few weeks...

KnittedElf · 29/12/2016 22:29

I have flat nipples and various midwives and breastfeeding support workers couldn't get my baby to latch. I tried nipple shields when my milk came in and I've been exclusively breastfeeding ever since, DD is now 12 weeks.

Diamondsandpurls · 30/12/2016 07:03

Yes they look 'normal' now luckily. The. Nippette just creates auction which stretches the tight muscle/skin? That is preventing yours from standing out. Once you've stretched it enough it shouldn't go back. You may not want to wear them all day but 20 mins a day would help. Even if you found they were too hard to wear before the baby comes you could use them to pop the nipple out just prior to breastfeeding. I hope they work for you.

yellowpostitnote · 30/12/2016 08:04

To add - only lactation consultant and pead consultant can diagnose tt - so getting good support to help observe feeds and look at baby's tongue would really help.

I was told most bf issues are relating to getting the baby to latch, which tt and ptt make difficult.

Original poster

JellyBert · 30/12/2016 17:14

Thanks, I was thinking nipple shields could be the way forward but it's my last resort really for convenience.

diamond I tried the nipplette tonight! Good old amazon prime. It hurt a little more than I expected, & kept losing suction on my right nipple so it's quite sore now as I kept fiddling with it! It was leaking liquid (i assume pregnancy & having already had a child) so don't think the 'moisture' helped. But stayed on my left nipple for 30 mins. Will definitely try to increase timings.
It says to use for 3 months then can also use when baby is here 5 mins before feeds etc so I'm hoping this could be my solution! It looks promising (just hope it starts to feel more comfortable!)

yellow I'm planning on finding/paying for a lactatoon conultant so hopefully any issues can be rules out. But contacting LLL is a really good idea I think I will do this when I'm later on in my pregnancy. There are a few bf groups round here so hoping I can find a peer support!

OP posts:

Penguina · 04/01/2017 15:54

I had flat nipples and the first 7 1/2 weeks of feeding were the worst pain I have ever felt and I have an extremely high pain threshold. I tried everything but only time made things better for me. I tried the latch assist thing but they used to pop back in before I could get DS on!

DS ripped them as he sucked them out. it was hell but I don't think I have flat nipples anymore!

I had a LLL lady come round and help me and I would highly recommend. Good luck!

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