Flat Nipples!?

[LillyFleur]

Just popping over from 2nd tri...

Has anyone successfully BF with flat nipples? Without the help of a nipple shield.

I'd always planned to exclusively BF for 6 months and didn't even think my flat as a pancake nipples would be a problem, but after watching BF/how to latch videos on YouTube I can't help but feel my nipples are really inadequate! Every nipple I've seen on BF videos has been so long and pointy! I honestly feel like my baby has no chance of being able to latch at all.

 

[Fizzyfefe]

I have extremely flat nipples, and unfortunately breastfeeding did not work for us (even with a shield). I ended up having to pump. Is there a reason why you don't want to use nipple shields? They can be a great help to get the baby used to eating at the breast, and then you can slowly wean them off. Even though they didn't work for us the first time, I am definitely going to try again with a second baby.

 

[BlingyGal]

Just call me Mrs Flat Nipples. A shield helped us for the first few days but the baby's suction is so powerful your nipples will not remain flat. They will pull out. Most likely your nipples have enough material in there and the suction will make it stick out. I've been breastfeeding for four months and when she pulls off my breast, the nipples stick out an amazing amount. After a few minutes, they slowly sink back to flat (but overall they're probably not as flat as they were before BFing). Truly, flat nipples isn't likely to be a problem. I know ppl who BF with inverted nipples. Again, they have enough tissue, it just needs suction to help get it pulled out. Hope that makes sense.

 

[LillyFleur]

Thank you for your replies, I'm a bit concerned about using the sheilds as I've read they can caused blocked milk ducts and infections, I did however think they were used long term if nipples were flat and I thought there is no way I'm going to be able to BF in public and mess around with the stupid shield and how on earth would i keep it sterile. So I take it, the shields are temporary to help baby latch/draw the nipple out.

I have been looking at the little handheld nipple pumps (not breast pumps) so might purchase one of those as they aren't expensive and can draw the nipple out before i try latch baby.

I really think midwifes should check your nipples so at least your prepared for some issues, the only conversation I've had with the midwife is "do you plan on BF?" "Yes" "Ok, don't buy any bottles or formula etc"

 

[AnonymousCAT]

I also have flat nipples. I had to use a nipple shield for about 4 weeks initially as well but we were able to wean the shield after that. My baby was also born 5 weeks premature. Not sure if it would have been different if he was full term. I just kept trying without the shield until he got it. It was a matter of baby getting big enough to get more breast in his mouth. I pumped initially when baby was in nicu for first week. Pumping and feeding have definitely made my nipple less flat. Persistence is most important for success here. It was a very difficult start but now it is very easy. Do what works for you. My midwife did look at my breasts beforehand and said that I may need to use a shield and she was right.

 

[LillyFleur]

Glad breastfeeding worked out for you in the end AnonCat.

I've ordered the Avent Nippelette to wear so will use that when it comes next week - fingers crossed it works.

 

[KBCupcake]

I have this problem. Nipple shields didn't help much and just after my LO was born, while still at the hospital, nurses and staff were getting annoyed with me when I'd request formula. Ugh.

So far I've just been doing a combination of pumping and formula because she's latched maybe once or twice, but my LO gets extremely fussy and we both end up very frustrated. :/

 

[pinkpassion]

When pregnant with dd I was EXACTLY the same as you... feeling inadequate with my nippples from watching so many videos of breastfeeding and latching etc.... well I am proud to say I am going strong at 15 months bf'ing dd!!!! We initially had no problems at all, the problems began when we introduced a pacifier.... I think she had such a hard time because the pacifier was so easy to latch onto and my nipple/breast was not.. I found that if I pumped for a few mins before latching it was so easy for her to latch because the suction from the pump gave my nipple enough prominence that she latched right perfectly the first time (it also helped fix her poor latch)..
I'd say stay away from nipple shields if you can help it (I went to that once and regretted it.. it was a mess and made her want only that.. I finally weaned her off the shield after 4 weeks of torture and that's when I realized the pump worked amazingly if I just did it for a few seconds /minutes before nursing!!) I didn't know they had a nipple pump that sounds incredible!!! And exactly what is needed!!! Good luck!!

 

[angelandbump]

I'm strange. When I was pregnant, I forever looked cold haha but as soon as it came to BF my nipples never got hard and the midwife said my left nipple was completely flat. You can buy a latch assist which is a little tool that you put on the end of your nipple just befoer feeding and it sucks out your nipple making it the right shape. It worked a treat for me!! x

 

[noon_child]

In theory there is nothing to say a baby can't bf from flat nipples. A correct latch is a mouthful of breast tissue, not nipple and one they suck it usually pulls the nipple out.

However very inverted/flat nipples can mean the baby doesn't get the stimulation to start sucking. Totally tethered nipples (more rare) will never suck out no matter how hard you try and shields may well be the only way to succeed if that was the case.

Do your nipples ever stick out (aroused/cold/stimulated?)

Best thing is probably to give it a go without shields and see what happens. If you want to use the niplette go ahead but I warn you it wasn't intially designed for breastfeeding, it was a 50s fashion product when having sticky out nips was the in thing. It might well hurt on hormonal nipples. I'd say a breast pump or manual stimulation would be kinder on you.

Ps my mum bf both me and my brother with flat nipples.

 

[LillyFleur]

They stick out a little bit when cold/aroused but still tiny, I will try the nipplette, the latch assist and the shields. Thanks for all your replies at least I feel like I'm trying to sort the problem out and feel better now I have a plan of action!

 

[AnonymousCAT]

I just wanted to add that it may not even be a problem for baby, you never know. It's great to hear that you have so many options in your tool box. But just remember there is nothing wrong with you if your nipples are flat. Plenty of women with flatter nipples breast feed successfully. If it was me, I'd just keep all of this stuff in the back of your mind and try to just see how it goes when baby is here. Baby might surprise you and then you'll have worried for nothing. Just know where to get support after the birth quickly if you are having problems and that all of the things you've mentioned exist to help you be successful. I just know I felt like there was something wrong with me when my mw told me I had flat nipples and that bf would be harder for me and that stressed me out unnecessarily. Yes, bf was likely harder because they were flat but it was still possible if I put my mind to it. I'm sure if you really want to bf you will find a way.

 

[londonangel]

I have flat and partially inverted nipples and had terrible trouble latching my girls once milk came in. I was desperate not to have to use shields this time but G couldn't latch without. I am still breastfeeding her and still using the shields. I would buy a set of shields just in case but try not to use them except as a last resort. I was able to wean E off them at four months but G will not latch without them and she is nearly eight months old!

Good luck!

 

[Fizzyfefe]

...but it was still possible if I put my mind to it. I'm sure if you really want to bf you will find a way.

I'm sure you didn't mean anything hurtful by saying this hun, but I feel like it implies that some of us didn't truly want to breast feed if it didn't work out. I would have given anything for my son to feed from me. I tried for months. Yes, it was a combination of things, not just flat nipples, that prevented breast feeding from working for us, but still. I really wanted to, and put my mind to it, and it still didn't work. I hope you can understand.

 

[noon_child]

...but it was still possible if I put my mind to it. I'm sure if you really want to bf you will find a way.

I'm sure you didn't mean anything hurtful by saying this hun, but I feel like it implies that some of us didn't truly want to breast feed if it didn't work out. I would have given anything for my son to feed from me. I tried for months. Yes, it was a combination of things, not just flat nipples, that prevented breast feeding from working for us, but still. I really wanted to, and put my mind to it, and it still didn't work. I hope you can understand.

On that note, this is a really great article about how things we may mean as supportive can make someone feel the opposite. It doesn't really apply to this thread in particular, just a great read for all the ladies on this forum trying to support each other.https://www.staciebingham.com/blog/6-ways-to-help-when-breastfeeding-is-hard

 

[AnonymousCAT]

...but it was still possible if I put my mind to it. I'm sure if you really want to bf you will find a way.

I'm sure you didn't mean anything hurtful by saying this hun, but I feel like it implies that some of us didn't truly want to breast feed if it didn't work out. I would have given anything for my son to feed from me. I tried for months. Yes, it was a combination of things, not just flat nipples, that prevented breast feeding from working for us, but still. I really wanted to, and put my mind to it, and it still didn't work. I hope you can understand.

No offence meant. I'm sorry if how I worded that was offensive, that was not my intent. I apologize. I know that some things are just beyond our control despite our deepest desires and efforts and no one should be made to feel bad about this.