small and flatish nipples - is it worth pumtping before feeding to "pull" the out?1

[GColdtimer]

Title says it all really. I have small and fairly flat nipples but after I express they are pretty big and stick out . Would it make it easier for my 3 week old baby to latch on if I used the pump for a minute or so before feeding her or would it just confuse her?? Feeding is still a bit sore on one side - ihave had loads of help and my latch is OK now and my nipples are completely undamaged. I am just a bit tender and don't like feeding from the sore side.

Thanks

Thanks

I used a lansinoh latch assist for my flat nips. Could this work for you?

that looks useful. I just pumped for a minute or two before feedimg and it was much eaier so I might get one of these. thank you

goodness sorry about typos in title. baby on lap!

It might be easier when you're out and about too.

Pumping before feeding is a good way to draw out nipples and make latch easier.

Fiddling with your nipples to make them erect can also help.

If you keep on feeding for a while, the shape of your nipples will change, so this will stop posing a problem for you.

thank you, feeding has gone so much better today as a result of pumping beforehand. First time in 3 weeks I have actually felt quite positive about carrying on.

Oh, that's great news! I'm glad to hear you're feeling positive about it all!

You may find, over time, that you need to pump for less time, or even not pump at all. If every latch she does is a good latch, then that gets her into good habits with feeding, and of course as your baby gets a tiny bit bigger, her mouth gets a tiny bit bigger, which often helps with latch.

Hi twofalls - I used the latch assist and it worked a treat. After about a week it had drawn my nipple out and DD could get a good latch without it.

HTH