Trouble breastfeeding due to shape of nipple?

[Motherof1and2dogs]

Has anyone had issues before with their baby latching onto the nipples due to the shape/ size of their nipples? Mine are quite flat and do not stick out much at all and I feel like this is causing latching issues. Not sure what to do, I really want to breast feed! I have been combination feeding at the minute just due to fear that she isn’t getting enough colostrum at the minute

Do you have an infant feeding team? I had a few feeding assessments with ours with various feeding concerns having someone observe a feed and then give some tips was helpful. Alternatively look for breastfeeding groups.

You need a feeding assessment, mine are quite flat and I was shown how to squeeze and almost force (but obviously gently) the baby to take more breast in their mouth.
Your first point of call should be to speak to your health visitor. But are there any breast feeding groups/coffee mornings near you. The ones by me usually do breast feeding, sling and nappy library on the same day and I found them really helpful as it took weeks for me to get seen via my health visitor.

@Motherof1and2dogsI had this exact issue due to flat nipples and these Medela nipple shields were a life saver https://shop.medela.co.uk/products/breast-care/breast-shields-and-shells/contact-nipple-shields/?srsltid=AfmBOopr-n-eQgSs7k53FwGByVRNbAMKSsC7cqJ4bP8-zeNDS7_UdNCw

they helped pull the nipple out and baby was able to latch straight away, I used them for about a month and then didn’t need them as it had kind of forced my nipple out of that makes sense?

It was 20 years ago so I’ve no idea if the guidance has changed, but I also used nipple shields.

I had this trouble as well. Mine were so flat we struggled from day one. My daughter’s latch was so strong, and I had the milk, so I would say the nipples definitely didn’t help! Tried everything, nipple shields worked the best as they created the right shape for her to latch properly, and I expressed as much as I could, but in the end bottle feeding won the day. I was devastated at the time, like it was the end of the world! It really wasn’t, she’s 10 now, happy, healthy, no trouble at all. Whatever you might feel about it, and whatever you might read, or whatever people tell you - FED is best. My daughter became so jaundiced after trying to bf for so long, no-one reassured me that a bottle was ok, I was surrounded by people who were insistent that “breast is best” and it made me feel like I was failing. Fed is best - always.

I used nipple shields to start with but I’d kind of sandwich it - I couldn’t do what other people could do to start with I.e. bring baby to the breast. Managed to bf for over 3 years with two of my children so it really wasn’t an issue after the initial blip! I had flat/inverted nipples

Another one who used nipple shields after guidance from a feeding group. Managed to wean off them after 5 weeks and fed successfully for a year.

Find your local support group, you’ll get loads of help and advice. They can also advise other people who may be able to help. The La Leche League can give advice too if you look up their website. My local feeding group was amazing. The first few weeks are difficult and then it generally gets much easier. Try nipple shields but make sure you get the right size.

My nipples also small and flat but actual boobs are big and I struggled a lot from the start with my first and gave up thinking it was a size/shape issue. I went on to pump for 6 months.
However, my second took to feeding when it was colostrum but the issues came when my milk came in and my boobs were too full/hard for her to get a good latch on so I resigned the fact it would be repeat of the first time. I tired nipple shields but it’s harder work for baby and just didn’t work for us. I pumped again for a little bit then tried to feed again around 2 months old when she got poorly (to better cater antibodies to her) and we haven’t looked back since. She took to it straight away and we’re still going at 10 months old so the shape was nothing to do with it first time around.
I found the BF support in my area to be a total waste of time but different areas may be better so definitely contact some for advice.
If it’s something you really have your heart set on and you’re happy to, keep at it. Baby is learning just as much as you are and it takes time to master.

I remember being told by a member of staff on the maternity ward that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed due to flat ripples.
What a load of **. I breastfed both of my boys no nipple shield needed.
Speak to your Health visitor, ask if there is a breastfeeding adviser who can help.
Also find a breastfeeding group, a great place to meet likeminded mums and share worries, gain support.

I’ve been breastfeeding for 5 months now, I too have flat nipples, mine are almost inverted. I had no idea about breastfeeding and wasn’t sure I wanted to but wanted to give it a go. I had no idea that flat nipples could affect the latch until the midwife told me when I went to latch baby. My midwife taught me the burger, or sandwich, technique I think it’s called to help get a better latch and when I feed, the nipple does come out so.

Another tip is to make sure the baby’s chin is nestled quite far into your boob and almost tickle their lips with the nipple? They should then throw their head back to open their mouth.

https://laleche.org.uk/inverted-nipples/

https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/inverted-flat-nipples/