Trouble latching

[baby09]

Hi my baby is 16hrs old 😊 never breastfed my other children as I have inverted nipples but I am really hoping to this time. My little girl has has 3 feeds since being born but really struggled with the latch as my nipples are flat. Is there anything I can do? Thanks x

 

[MummyKP]

Would you consider a nipple shield? Or try clasping your breast with your thumb and finger like a c shape and holding it quite hard whilst baby tries to latches. Not sure it'll help with flat nipples but could be worth a shot. Congratulations

 

[noon_child]

She needs to latch to the areola not the nipple so flat nipples don't need to be an issue. Sometimes if they are very inverted the baby isn't stimulated to suck but if she will suck when she s on it is just a question of trying ways to get a big mouthful (something loads of people struggle with, whether or not nipples are flat.

Laid back feeding might help. Or stimulating your nipples before hand so they are as erect as possible.

 

[baby09]

Thank you! She really routes around and opens her mouth wide for it but doesn't suck then gets upset and pulls back 😔

 

[noon_child]

Thank you! She really routes around and opens her mouth wide for it but doesn't suck then gets upset and pulls back 😔

You are in the UK so I'd advise calling La Leche League or NCT and asking for a home visit from one of their volunteers. If there is no one in the area they can give some useful advice over the phone.

Nipple shields can be really useful in your situation but they can also cause more problems so I'd want to explore all my options before I went down that route if I were you.

 

[baby09]

Thank you xx

 

[_Meep_]

You can get nipple formers that you can use to draw out inverted nipples. You wear them in your bra between feeds. Boots sells them.

https://m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?unCountry=uk&path=/en/Medela-Nipple-Formers-1-Pair_982219/

Here is a cheapie, but you can get more expensive ones like the Nipplette (ghastly name lol) which maybe work better. I've never used any so can't say, but if you think something like these might help, I'm sure there will be plenty of reviews online!