Breastfeeding with Inverted Nipples

just keep trying. I didn't use the pump or breast sheilds. I just kept trying and my nipples did correct themselves.

Hi L..

I also had to use nipple shields. But nobody here has mentioned weaning off of them, which I was able to. It took about four weeks, I think, but each time I nursed I offered her the breast first with no shield, and finally she caught on and just nursed naturally. It was hard work and very time consuming. My husband and mom can attest to the times where I was just crying because I was tired and overwhelmed. (She was my first baby, too.) I just want to encourage you. Getting used to being in charge of a new life is a huge change, and helping a new baby get used to being in the world is so thrilling, challenging and rewarding. Congratulations on being a new mom almost. This mamasource forum is a great place to get answers. I also really liked kellymom.com, it has some great breastfeeding videos and help available. And like another mom said, if you have a local La Leche League, they are great as well.

I had the same problem. I used Medela nipple things (they aren't shields, but I can't remember what they're called!) and they help the baby latch on because they're the sixe of a normal nipple. And my daughter breastfed like a pro! Get rid of the anxiety, though, or you'll have trouble for sure! You can also use a pump to help pull your nipples out. That worked well for me! Good luck!

Bri

Same thing here, plus my son was a 5wk preemie, couldn't latch on well, I used the nipple shield. The one you wear when your not nursing is called a Nipple Shell (never used it), and Nipple Shield is used for nursing (Godsent), they will have them at the hospital for you, or you can buy them online. They are clear and look like a nipple. You place it over your nipple and your baby nurses from your nipple through it. It helps them latch on better and will pull yours out, BIG TIME.

I used it with both of mine and it worked great. You simply wash it after each use. Remember to get your lanolin for your
nipples, and use it after each time you nurse, if you don't, you'll be in more pain than you'll ever want to be in. Bleeding nipples are not a good thing and are not normal, if yours starts to bleed, you are not keeping them moist enough in between meals. Get a big box of breast pads too, you can go through them fast. Also start using the lanolin on your nipples about a week before you are due, get them ready. Your first week will suck, but it does get better and if you can get past 5 days, your home free BUT remember, it's not the end of the world if you can't. You'll be sad, but it's not your fault either, some babies just won't latch and that doesn't make you a bad Mom.

Ok, that's all the nipple advice I have for today, HA HA . Good Luck, you'll be great, God Bless.

Hi L. I personally haven't had this issue. However, I am still nursing my nine month old and have seen several products out there for breastfeeding with inverted nipples. I would check at babies r us. They have a lot of stuff for breastfeeding moms and probably have some products that will help you nurse. Good luck and I hope for both you and your babies sake that you are able to nurse.

Hi L.!

I had the exact same problem, so I am happy to say that it absolutely can be done. The lactation consultant at the hospital gave me a nipple shield to use -- which is essentially a clear, plastic nipple-like shield that you use to help the baby latch on. My daughter struggled with nursing for the first few days, but latched on and nursed like a pro as soon as we started using the shield. I used it for the first six months of nursing, and then I could nurse successfully without it. It was a lifesaver for me, so I wanted to be sure you knew it was an option.

Best of luck to you and your baby-to-be!
B.

Hi L.. Be ready. It is challenging even for mom's without inverted nipples but don't give up too soon. I didn't have inverted nipples but I had VERY sensitive ones for the first 4 weeks (I have 4 kids and breastfed the last 3). I bought my nipple shields, Lansinoh brand as well as Lansinoh nipple cream. It saved my life! The cream (looks like vaseline) keeps you from cracking and bleeding. It helps with soreness and it is not harmful for the baby to injest. You might still be sore for a few weeks and will probably want to give up but try to tough it out because before you know it that pain will subside and you will end up having the most wonderful bonding experience with your baby. I gave up with my first because I was young and no one supported my decision to breastfeed. When it became painful, all the people around me at that time totally discouraged me so I gave up. I have always regretted it and my son is 14 yrs old now. When I had my other 3 children I was determined not to give up and I am so happy. My youndgest is 20 months and when I weaned her at 12 months old I cried. (she's my last). I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you have a rewarding and successful experience with your baby. Also, remember that if your breastfeeding attempts don't work out it doesn't mean you failed. Be happy that you tried and if you can just get your baby that first few days of colostrum you will be providing him/her a lifetime of health benefits. He/she will grow up just fine on formula and you can still enjoy that time of bonding.

Good Luck,
D.
www.myspace.com/deniece72

I also have inverted nipples and when I wanted to nurse my first my dr said it wouldn't be impossible but very challenging. She gave me these hard plastic things I had to wear over my nipples to help pull them out so I could nurse. I tried to nurse for about 3 weeks but it was just to frustrating and painful I decided to bottle feed and with my second I didn't even try to nurse and I enjoyed her much more the first few weeks because neither of us were upset half the day woryring about the next feeding time.

when you deliver your baby ask the nurse about nipple shields it gives the baby something to latch onto and the baby sucks your nipple into the shield as it eats so eventually they will not be so inverted the lactation consultant will have lots of helpful hints too but you will probably have to ask to see the lactation consultant nurserys get busy and then nurses forget to mention some things

I know you've already seen this, but the nipple shields you wear while the baby nurses are a GODSEND!!! I guess they're somewhat controversial--a lactation consultant told me the baby might not get as much milk. My sons never had a problem with it. They are easy to use and it made it super easy for me. Good luck--and congratulations!!

I too have this problem. I have four kids and I wasn't able to breastfeed any of them. Oh but did I try. It all depends on the person weither these devices work or not. For me they did not. My best advice is to try out different methods and see if anything works for you. Good luck.

L.,
Congrats on your baby and keep up that determination to breastfeed!!!! You'll be fine breastfeeding with inverted nipples, many women are able to do it. I would seek advice from your local La Leche League (they are the world's leading experts on breastfeeding). You can attend a group in your area, it's free and they offer wonderful support and information. Here's the link, http://www.lalecheleague.org/WebUS.html Also, I always recommmend the book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" to new moms who want to breastfeed. It's my breastfeeding 'bible!' I'm sure you'll be a wonderful breastfeeding mom! Enjoy the experience,
K.

I don't have inverted nipples, but did breastfeed my 2 children. With my first I had a LOT of pain the first 4-5 weeks, I don't say this to scare you but only to encourage you not to give up because it WILL get better! In our western culture our nipples are so sensitive because they are constantly shielded under clothing and bras, so when we have a baby and they eat 10 times a day our nipples are doing major overtime work and getting exposure they have never had! I REALLY loved the Lansinoh cream as it helped "relieve" the tenderness and redness by keeping my nipples moist in between feedings. But do not forget to wear nursing pads when using the Lansinoh because it soaks through onto your bra and shirts and will destroy them with vaseline-like stains! I had a few shirts get big dark stain blobs on the nipple area :) LOL By the way, nursing my second was a breeze as I had been through it a time before and my nipples had become less sensitive I guess. Good luck!

I've heard of people having inverted nipples and breastfeeding. They can apply something over their nipple that will help basically bring it out I guess. This helps the baby to latch on. So it's more than possible, but when I saw that was 7 yrs. when I had my oldest. I'm sure your doctor could have some idea. You could even go to the hospital you'll deliver at and ask to talk to the lactation consultant. Good Luck and congratulations!

Hi L.,
I'm gonna first say that I have 4 children and I tried with my oldest and it wasn't for me. I felt uncomfortable and I didn't try with the rest.
I just wanted to say wether you breastfeed or formula feed you will be a great mother no matter what. And if the breast feeding works out for you and your baby awesome and then again if it doesn't and you decide to go to formula feeding thats awesome too. The only advice I can give you is do what you are comfortable with and what you feel is best for your child.
Congrats on being a mommy, W.

When my son was born about 6 mths ago, he had trouble getting his upper lip turned out when latching on. The lactation consultants gave me a nipple shield (Medula makes them and they are found at Target & Babies R'Us). I later found out I was only supposed to use it for just a couple of breast feedings. By the time I found that out, that was the only way he knew to latch on and I had to continue to use - which I did for several months. It's a pain because you have to wash it and make sure you always have one with you (I kept an extra in his diaper bag). These nipple shields are supposed to be good for women who have inverted nipples. My milk supply was fine while using them and my baby got all of the benefits of breastfeeding. Like I said, there is nothing bad about using one, except you have to make sure you have one and that it's clean. Make sure to keep visitors at the hospital to a minimum so you can focus on getting your baby latched on well. Use the nurses and lactation consultants if they have them all you can. Once you get home, it's hard to pack baby back up and go see someone for help. Don't worry or have anxiety - you are going to do great at breastfeeding!!

P.S. I see Shelby's response below and I think every woman is different. I had something between me & my baby (nipple shield which is thin silicone) and I had zero problem with milk supply, etc. My boobs were always buldging!! So keep in mind that everyone is different. Also, don't hesitate to try to get help - as long as you are producing some milk - it's not too late to try things to get your supply up. Good luck & congrats!!

This is from La Leche League, an international organization that promotes breastfeeding: http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/flat.html They give you personal help at their meetings as well. You can find a chapter local to you here: http://www.lalecheleague.org/WebUS.html

Certified lactation consultants also give in-person advice. You can ask your hospital's maternity ward how to find one, and sometimes they work in the hospital.

HTH, best wishes, and congratulations on your baby. :)

I don't have advice I just wanted to say good for you for being so determined. Don't give up. It can be difficult at first and many mothers give up. Breast feeding is so awesome! I nursed my daughter for 2 years and am currently nursing my new baby boy. The second time is a breeze. You'll do great.

I have one that is like this. They sell things that you can wear when nursing that give baby something to latch onto. Note: milk will collect in them and be messy to remove. I kept a washcloth handy.

Hello L.,
I had inverted nipples with my first child, note I said had, once i breast fed her for about a week the problem corrected and I didn't have a problem with them being inverted again. But while I was in the hospital I would pump for about a minute until they were not inverted then had my daughter latch on. The lactation specialist had me wear breast shields while I wasn't feeding, but they didn't really do much good and I leaked everywhere. I would recommend getting a hand pump and pumping for a few minutes then trying to get your baby to latch on and if there is a lactation specialist at the hospital ask for help, but if you want to breast feed naturally don't use the shields that the baby feeds with while you are wearing them or they might refuse your breast when you are not wearing them. And I hear these are a pain in the &8(.

One more note I had to hold my daughter in a football hold for the first couple of days so that I had more control of her latching on correctly and so that I could see what was going on.

I didn't have to do any of this with my second child and we never had a problem with him latching on.

Good luck and don't let someone tell you it can't be done naturally. Congrats!
Michelle

I used the nipple shields as well, it looks like a sombreo (mexican hat) That you put over your nipple, and it's just like the baby is drinking from a bottle nipple. It worked great for my son. Plus I pumped alot so he had bottles too.... The consultant at the hospital should be able to help as well. Just remember it doesn't matter how the baby gets the breast milk, just be happy they get it!! That's my opnion! Good Luck!!

Hello! I think you should try wearing breast shells for long periods of time right before breast feeding. I had flat nipples and tried to feed my first daughter, but she couldn't get latched on so I tried a breast shield (which are the plastic pieces you wear over the nipple while breastfeeding) and it eventually dried up all of my milk.
In order for you to produce enough milk to feed your child, you cannot have anything between the baby and the boobie, certian hormones are released when the baby nurses but only if there is direct contact, so breast shields are BAD! I eventually dried completely up because my daughter was so used to the ease of the breast shield, it was all she wanted. So with my 2nd daughter I did a lot of research and found that if you start wearing a breast shell when you are pregnant it can actually change the shape of your nipple gradually. It did to mine and when Molly was born I had the breast shells there with me at the hospital and I wore them constantly for the first 2 weeks in between feedings and I didn't use anything else, and it worked like a charm. The most important thing you should know is that nursing hurts, it takes up all of your time, and the shells are uncomfortable, but if you don't give up you'll look back at that time as your closest and fondest memories of your baby. I don't think there is anything more gratifying about being a mother than to be able to nurse your child. It is in our very basic nature to be able to feed our children. Good luck! Oh, and what ever you do DO NOT give the baby a bottle! You will give the baby nipple confusion and that will be the worse thing you could do. And if it doesn't work out you are not a bad mom!