Inverted nipples and breast feeding

9 replies

bubblylion · 16/09/2006 22:06

Hi, is there anyone who can advise or has experience of this? I have inverted nipples and I am afraid that i'm not going to be able to breast feed. I've asked my MW about it but she just brushes it off and hasn't even looked at them; suggesting that I massage them in the bath ??? I know that you can get those nipple caps, but I'm now 29 weeks and the ones I've looked at say there suitable for upto 6 months. Does anyone else have inverted nipples and have you been sucessful with breast feeding? Any handy tips ???

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firemaiden · 16/09/2006 22:29

No personal tips I'm afraid but just to fill in the wait until someone with experience answers:

I did overhear midwives talking about this (they were trying to advise a new mother)at University College Hospital when I was giving birth to dd in May. So, although for your peace of mind it would be good to know tips in advance, don't worry if you haven't had help by the time you give birth. My experience was that the midwives are pretty keen on b/feeding and someone somewhere will be able to help you from birth, even if not before!

tallulah · 17/09/2006 19:37

I had really really inverted nipples. I breastfed 4 children for 15 months each (not at the same time)

It was a real fight with the first one to get her latched on but the problem seemed to sort itself out. They are no longer inverted.

I did try the shields but they looked ridiculous so I gave up, and I didn't actually do anything else. HTH.

emkana · 17/09/2006 19:39

I'm the same as tallulah. I had inverted nipples before dd1. Used shields for two weeks with dd1, then gave up on them and just fed normally. Now on child no. 3, and in my fifth year of breastfeeding , and my nipples are not inverted anymore!

Original poster

bubblylion · 17/09/2006 22:25

Thanks for your posts, I feel more re-assured now. A woman at work told me that she has inverted nipples and as a result couldn't breast feed, she scared me a bit, but this gives me hope, guess I'll just have to persevere.

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tigerT · 18/09/2006 09:42

I had problems when my DD was born, and my husband found a wierd little contraption in the chemist - made by 'chicco' it is a little suction thing that pulls your nipple out temporarily enough for the baby to latch on. I was highly dubious but it did actully work!!! After a few days of her feeding, my nipples were sticking out themselves. Worth a go if you do have problems with the baby being able to latch on.

weeonion · 23/09/2006 08:08

bubylion. i have one inverted nipple and use a thing called nipplette to "draw" it out. it doesnt look the most attractive but you can wear it inside your bar and it does work. dont despair!!

Tiggerish · 23/09/2006 09:11

I had real problems with b/f because of this and unfortunately didn't get the support I needed in hospital. They refused to discharge me and ds until he was feeding properly but he just couldn't latch at all. We ended up bottle feeding just to get out.

I know it is possible to b/f successfully with inverted nipples but it is hard and you must get loads of support - and don't give up!!

muppetisacat · 02/10/2006 13:10

I did have inverted nipples with my first child and basically fed her for 6 months without a problem. By the time I finished breastfeeding, they were no longer inverted!!

flack · 02/10/2006 13:18

This FAQ might help you, it's written by the woman's husband (not a perv).

Flip