Feb 14 breast feeding advice for inverted nipples

[vickyjuk]

Hi there, anyone know of any decent advice re inverted nipples? getting a lot of conflicting information. Want to be as prepared as possible but no point spending on kit that isn't going to help or even make things worse. Deffo want to bf but frankly scared it won't happen. Thanks ladies x

Hmmm, you'd be better off re posting in breast / bottle feeding section. There are a couple of extremely knowledgeable posters there.

I had flat nipples. I fed my DD using nipple shields for 4 months which was a total PITA but was the only way I could get her to latch. After 4 months I managed to wean her off them and went on to feed for a year.

Feeding her seems to have cured the issue so I am hopeful it will be easier when my DC#2 arrives in Feb.

This said there are a lot of people who will advise you that it is breastfeeding and not nipple feeding so it is possible for a baby to latch onto flat nipples. Not my experience but it probably didn't help that my DD was tiny (6lb at nearly at 40+3) so had a miniature mouth that she couldn't open very wide.

This may help

Lansinoh do a product called Latch Assist which you can buy from Boots. Breastfeeding is do-able with inverted nipples, but you may need to do a little more fine tuning. Find out if there are any breastfeeding support groups in your area & ask of you can go along to them prior to your baby being born. That way you can get advice together to prepare you.

I went to a breastfeeding class last week and we were told that having inverted nipples should make little difference when feeding.
We were told that if your baby is latching correctly they should have a big load of nipple area and boob in their mouths and shouldnt just be sucking on your nipple. It will be just the same as anyone else trying to get the baby to latch properly.
I have no experience myself of inverted nipples or breastfeeding for that matter (first time pg) but just thought id share what our class were told (no idea if its really true)

I had a nightmare getting started with DS1 because of my flat nipples and his small mouth.

For DS2 I got a nipple sucker like the one linked upthread and it made all the difference. Found mine for £1.99 in a cheapy shop though!

I only needed to use it for a few days - maybe just while we were still in hospital, can't remember, and then they stayed out enough for him to latch comfortably by himself.

Thanks for the reminder though - DS3 is due tomorrow and I must dig it out...

The difference/difficulty comes in his being able to find it, and with aim/position inside his mouth. It was hard for me to get straight in iyswim.

Yes, that's the theory Frizz and I remember being told similar at NCT classes........ I only wish that had been my experience! DD screamed her head off with the frustration of not being able to latch.

The other thing you could do OP is search the archives on here re this issue as there are a number of posters who have breastfed with flat nipples.

Also look on You Tube for a demonstration of the 'flipple' method as that may help you.

I'd also consider learning the theory of hand expressing before your baby is born as you may find hand expressing a little to get it going encourages the baby to latch. I tried this with some success and it's a useful skill to have some idea of regardless of whether you experience any problems. Just don't try it before 37 weeks as apparently it can induce labour!

Good luck..... Hopefully you'll be fine and the baby will happily latch.

That's interesting horry. I think I'll get similar just in case even though mine are much better after feeding DD.

When you get cold or aroused, do your nipples pop out at all? (You don't need to answer! ). If they do, then you should not have any problems from them. If they don't, but go further in, then I suggest getting in touch with NCT, ABM or BfN and asking to speak to a Breastfeeding Counsellor or Supporter. (There are plenty of them on MN, too, but unofficially.) Please don't rely on GPs, HVs or midwives for bf support. With all the best will in the world they don't know. The organisations listed above are the experts, and they are wonderful.

There are suction gadgets that can help revert an inverted nipple. I've not used them myself, because my answer to the above question was 'yes'. After bfing dc1 my nipples stayed out.

HTH

Ah yes. My answer would have been no.

After 26 months of feeding each time they were still only just sticking out (and flattened again shortly after weaning).