nipples too small?

[munchkinsusie]

i realise this is probably a stupid question but i'm hoping MNers will come to my rescue. i've always noticed that i have very small nipples compared to other women (i go swimming regularly so have done extensive research shall we say!) can small nipples cause a problem when i finally start to breastfeed (i'm 3 months preg at the moment). and if so, is there anything i can do to make my nipples bigger?
thanks!

Size of breasts or nipples do NOT affect breastfeeding. The only time you could have probs is if they were inverted and even then you can overcome this with nipple shields. Don't worry about it, enjoy your pregnancy and good luck with the breastfeeding

my midwife told me that smaller nipples makes it easier to breastfeed, but like mamerin said it doesnt affect it what ever size you are. i wouldnt worry about it

I echo the others, I have small nips but enormous bosoms and consider myself a champion breastfeeding.

Please don't worry about it.

Really it isn't a stupid question - had exactly that problem - with (unlike Suzywong) very small bosoms that went completely solid with milk so for the poor baby it was like trying to latch onto a flat surface. If you have that combination:

• initially nipple shields were essential. Bit of a hassle, with sterilising and so on, but we managed fine;
• think about getting a good powerful expressing device (I used the electric kind you rent) so you can deflate a bit which'll help baby latch on; and
• Avent do a device you use while pregnant that is mainly aimed at sorting inverted nipples but might also have helped me if I'd known about it. Called (imaginatively) Niplette.

wow, what a quick response! thanks guys, that's put my mind to rest. it sounds like i'm with suzywong so hopefully i'll be a champion breastfeeder too!

Remember that they grow during and after pg and bf. Dh can't believe the size of mine- went from 36B to 42F!!!!!!! One tip I will give is leave it until after you've had baby before sorting nursing bra out. the books tell you to sort it a couple of weeks before butI got one 2 weeks before baby born and was a 40d- so that bra was wasted.
plud didn't wear bra for quite a few days after birth so you could leave it and measure yourself after birth then send someone to mothercare.
measuring is fairly easy-advice on mothercare website plus you can always return them if unused

I have small nipples (and big boobs) and I did find it hard to start with (may not have been the size - could have been my imcompetence!), but I used nipple shields to help latch dd on and also to ease the pain (bf does hurt for a short while). I fed dd unil last week (she was 2 yrs and 3 months) so even if you do find it difficult to start with you have to stick at it (i gave myself 6 weeks).

You can buy something from boots which is supposed to help, but you can't use it while preg. But what I am trying to say is you can do it if you want to - and you prob. won't have any problems. It was a bit embarrising at first - midwives grabbing your nipples and sticking them in your baby's mouth, but I guess after giving birth you have no dignity left anyway