How much of a problem are flat nipples?

[EllieG]

Read a book about breastfeeding that said if have flat nipple probably won't be able to bf easily and will have to use nipple shields or express and bottle. I really want to bf normally - (sorry if tmi) - nips can be persuaded out so not inverted I don't think - is there any chance will be OK for ordinary bf? Or is there anything I can do to make it easier?

I don't know, but I want you to know so I'll bump it til you find out

sounds a load of rot ellieg, what is this book? i had pretty flat nips and did have some trouble getting a good latch, but shields bottles and expressing did not feature. no longer flat after 2+ years of bf either!

I've got flat nipples and have been BFing my DS for 6 months If your nips can be 'persuaded out' by you, then they can be persuaded out by your baby when they latch on, I should imagine! I'm not an expert by any means, but wanted to let you know it's certainly possible to BF.

No problem- I breast fed for 7m and 13m with my 2 dds and one of mine is flat and the other inverted.
There used to be some device called a Nipplette (not a good product to use if your name is Nicolette- which mine is!- lots of jokes from DH!)Not sure if you can still buy it.
I tried this before dd1 was born and it is supposed to encourage flat nipples to emerge but it was more like a medieval torture device IMHO.

I have teeny and fairly flat nipples and I bf fine.

I actually didn't know it was considered a problem until someone else mentioned it to me!

Mine kinda popped out when I was pregnant. And stayed that way after bf two of them....

I fed DS for five months with flat nipples without problem. I didn't know it was likely to be an issue either. DD's feeding problems (v painful and she made me bleed) was due to tongue tie and I had to give up after three weeks (this was way before Mumsnet - a source of great regret to me!).

Thank you ladies - I was feeling a bit despondent about my lack of pointy nips but much more positive now.