I am planning on breasfeeding my baby and I had a class about it yesterday, and I was so overwelmed when I found out that I have a flat nipple. They didn't really talk too much about inverted nipples at the class they just told us that if we have that kind of nipple we can stop by the clinic any time and get a nipple shell. Well I will do that tomorrow but I was thinking, has any of you had this problem? were you able to breastfeed your baby? any suggestions? I have a small manual pump so I was thinking maybe if I start pumping right now I can stimulate the tissue and make it more elastic? I don't know I was just wondering maybe one of you have more recomendations. Thank you all!! and have a happy thanksgiving!!
2006-11-23 04:00:37 · 15 answers · asked by Lilly 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
OK, some crazy people like to tell you you have flat nipples when you do not. If your nipples get hard when you are cold or aroused you do not have flat nipples and you will be just fine. After a month or two your nipples will be pointy most of the time. That is what happened to me.
Flat or inverted nipples often do not even require a nipple shield or any treatment. Babies BREASTfeed they do not NIPPLE feed. However if you do have flat or inverted nipples apparently a breast shell can help. Go see a qualified lactation consultant.
http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/invertednipples.html
http://www.breastfeeding-basics.com/html/flat_inverted.shtml
I also used a nipple shield briefly as my baby wouldn't suck unless something was poking the roof of his mouth (due to some stupidity at the hospital) so I can tell you using a nipple shield is mildly annoying (you just have to know where it is and wash it after each use.
I would join your local La Leche League now and talk to some moms who have breastfed they will be able to help you out. Also the LLL leader is probably more knowledgeable about this clown who is teaching your class (which doesn't sound like they know very much to me). To find your local La Leche League meeting go to: http://www.lalecheleague.org/ab.html?m=1 and pick your country on the drop down box in the upper right corner.
You will do just fine I am sure, it just takes a little patience and perseverance
2006-11-23 04:11:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your local La Leche League Leader will help you for FREE. She may even be willing to visit you at home when you have your baby.
Do your nipples become erect when you are aroused or cold? If they do, this is a good sign and you shouldn't really have any problems and most likely don't need a nipple shield.
If you do try to use a shield, make sure a LLL Leader or a Lactation Consultant SHOWS you how to use it properly, as opposed to just handing you one. And then you can also work with her on weaning off of the shield later on.
You can also pump for just a couple of minutes prior to nursing to draw out your nipple. This often works.
You can also buy breast shells to wear in your bra between feedings that help to draw out your nipples.
2006-11-23 11:12:55 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same concerns. The baby's mouth goes over more than just the nipple, and will help with popping it out a bit.
I had NO idea what I was doing ( and was a bit shy to ask about the nipple thing)but was amazed at how helpful the hospital nurses were. They showed me what to do and got us going. They really encouraged breast feeding and they also helped with the breast pump.
The above advice about the La Leche League is excellent. The nurses put me in touch with them and I had a whole support group!
You'll do fine.. Just contact the La Leche League and they will help so much..
2006-11-23 04:21:52 · answer #3 · answered by LittleBitOfSugar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a very common problem. The nipple shell will help. Also, there is a chance that once your milk comes in your nipples may extend more. Also, once that baby starts suckling away, it will stretch them out too. Pumping now may help a bit too but be careful because that may make you sore and chapped. Get some nipple cream to help soften your nipples and increase the elasticity. YOU WILL BE FINE and YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BREASTFEED....it may just take a bit more work to prepare and get started. Don't give up though!
Good luck and Congratulations!
2006-11-23 04:06:52 · answer #4 · answered by Sunshine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I had my sons there was a delivery/pediatric nurse that helped me with the initial breastfeeding. Make sure that your delivery hospital or clinic is aware that you want to breastfeed and you'll get a lot of help from the nurses. Breastfeeding friendly creams/lotions wouldn't hurt. But I think that you're stressing for no reason. A lot of women get worried for no reason about things while pregnant/parenting. If you're really concerned; at your next OB appt have your dr check out the breast to make sure that you didn't self-diagnose incorrectly. Good luck!!!
2006-11-23 04:18:07 · answer #5 · answered by doom92556 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this and was successful with a nipple shield. I used both a manual and electric pump, too - but nothing beat the heavy-duty one at the hospital!
2006-11-23 06:57:01 · answer #6 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can buy a nipple shield, it is a bit of plastic with a hole in it with a rubber teat on it like a bottle. if you use this it is good for three things it draws your nipple out , it prevents sore nipples and it gets baby used to a bottle teat if you need to use one.
i had flat nipples 40 years ago when i had my babies but the effect of the shield is still evident in cold weather.:-)
p.s. it only takes a few goes to get the nipple permanently out
be careful with nipple creams.make sure it doesn't contain aracus oil as that is peanut and can cause problems later on.
2006-11-23 04:11:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do no longer think of that's extraordinary. Breastfeeding is super even with the undeniable fact that it is not a assure! yet I even have an extraordinarily much 10 month previous who's breastfed and he has basically had crimson eye...which I cleared up with breastmilk. EDITED with the aid of fact I wrote something incorrect.
2016-10-04 07:05:42 · answer #8 · answered by catherine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your nipples dont really matter, if your nipple goes inverted, they can fit you with a plastic nipple that will pull out your nipple when the baby sucks, and since its on your breast and not a bottle baby is likely to get nipple confusion
2006-11-23 08:28:37 · answer #9 · answered by ruspecialenuf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't pump yet.
A nipple sheild will help. I'd also suggest hiring a lactation consultant. She will help you work through it. The link below is from kellymom.com. It's a great site for breastfeeding information.
Good luck!
2006-11-23 07:14:56 · answer #10 · answered by CCTCC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋