Breastfeeding help - flat nipples

[Namechangeaholic]

I've just seen on another thread someone mentioning that they have flat nipples - I didn't even know this wasn't a normal thing! My nipples are both flat and previous attempts at breastfeeding didn't work. I'm 31 weeks and really hoping to be able to feed this time round, so ideally want to get all the possible information to help me. I've seen some things this morning about wearing shields to draw the nipple out while pregnant, suction cup type things for before feeding and others saying always wearing a shield during feeding. What works best and what can I be doing now to prepare myself? I've got a double electric pump incase breastfeeding fails but I'd really like to give it another go when this one comes!

Obviously I'll also be asking Midwife fo advice when I next see her and will go to breastfeeding classes. Just wanted to know if there's anything I can be doing in the meantime.

I used nipple shields to feed my DC1. After about 3 months they were no longer flat and I was able to transfer to the breast direct. Didn't need them at all for DC2.

Like you I hadn't realised mine were different to anybody else's until I struggled to BF DC1!

Try again without outing myself!

A few people I know have used this device successfully

Book a lactation go consultant, don't rely on the midwife knowing how to help. If you really want to bf, a recommended lactation consultant is the way to go. You could ask your hospital if they have an infant feeding team who could come and see you post birth, saying that you've not managed it yet with standard mw help.

On a practical level, just before your baby goes to feed, squeeze your nipple between forefinger and thumb, as high up the nipple as you can. This will result in your whole nipple being flattened. When your baby goes to feed, push the flattened nipple right into their mouth and let them clamp down in it. Put as much if the flattened nipple into their mouth as possible and try to ignore images in your mind of a baby latching onto a rounded full nipple.

Good luck!

www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Inverted-Nipples

This is American but still useful. It gives a few suggestions depending on the severity of the inversion and some suitable to try in pregnancy.

I have completely inverted nipples and, after being too scared and embarrassed to even try with my first two, I successfully breastfed my daughter for 10 months. I had no help from anyone in person, but a lot of help from lactation specialists online.

The best advice I was given was to pinch/squash my nipples into a sandwich sort of shape to help my daughter to get a good mouthful. That and remember it hurts! Especially when they're pulling out a nipple that isn't used to it. Don't be put off - it doesn't last long.

I won't say it was easy, we combi fed for the first 3-4 weeks and built up to BF full time. Once we got in the swing of it it was so much easier than formula and I loved it. She was a boob fiend in the end

Second all the advice above including using your hands to help the wee one get started. Take all the support you can get too from lactation consultants, BF support groups etc. I had this on one side with my son but managed to get him feeding with a bit of perseverance and lots of support. Good luck and keep at it xx

Nipple shields are a life saver!