XP: Nipple size: does it matter?

alexandra1818 · February 2013

I'm 18 weeks pregnant, and am planning to breastfeed. However, in reading an article on proper latching, I realized that my nipple length may not actually work... So I guess I have two questions.

1) Do nipples tend to get longer during pregnancy in preparation? I'm quite large-chested and have gone up two cup sizes so far but haven't seen a difference in my nipples yet.

2) Is it possible to nurse when your nipple is about the size of a small pea?

I tried asking my OB about it, and she said she wasn't sure, and that I'd need to talk with a lactation consultant. BUT, if I'm going to breastfeed, I'm going to register for a decent breast pump... that I'm not sure at this point that I could even use.

(also posted in the BF forum... but hoping to hear from some BTDT moms)

pepomntpat · February 2013

It should really only matter if they are inverted. Otherwise it will be fine.

Guillerma · February 2013

That's silly that your OB couldn't answer. It absolutely doesn't matter. They will get bigger, and smaller is easier for baby anyway! I would rec going to a local La Leche League meeting before baby is born and discuss your concerns.

babystoli · February 2013

I had a minor (or major) freak out last weekend... mine have become gigantic. I had a "what if they continue to grow at this rate... they will be bigger than the baby's mouth!" Possibly an irrational moment

laurelkirsten · February 2013

Honestly anyone who has breastfed can tell you that your nipples change. I haven't noticed much during pregnancy but after birth is different. Whether its hormones or just the baby pulling on them, they will change as you nurse. Make sure you bring the lanolin to the hospital because they will be sore after the first few feedings. Also about 3 days after birth your milk comes in and your boobs will swell to porn star proportions. Its weird and it hurts! But totally worth it for you little one.

My boobs are tiny ( maybe a B cup now C cup while nursing), different sizes and with small nipples. I breastfed for 18 months and my son is a big hungry kid. I had so much milk I was constantly leaking through the nursing pads. I know women with huge boobs and nipples and they could hardly produce milk so I don't think size and shape are too big of a factor.

I am pretty sure my nipples looked tiny prior to breast feeding. Now they are still small but the tips are kind of saggy from being stretched and chewed for 18 months. Like when I put on a sports bra I check to make sure they are being squished in the upwards direction! But honestly no one else would notice this but me.

Definitely go to a La Leche League meeting while you are still preggers if you want some good info. We had pregnant woman come to our meeting in Santa Barbara, CA all the time.

MrsChamp11 · February 2013

Your nipples with change. I had completely flat nipples almost inverted. It took lots of practice and time but u am still bf my 18 month old. I had to use a nipple shield at first which helped bring them out. Trust me, they will grow in size and you will be laughing at wondering if this was going to be an issue! You absolutely can breastfeed!

pepomntpat · February 2013

laurelkirsten:
I am pretty sure my nipples looked tiny prior to breast feeding. Now they are still small but the tips are kind of saggy from being stretched and chewed for 18 months. Like when I put on a sports bra I check to make sure they are being squished in the upwards direction! But honestly no one else would notice this but me.

I do the same thing with my bras-all bras!

Kitten80 · February 2013

pepomntpat:
laurelkirsten:
Like when I put on a sports bra I check to make sure they are being squished in the upwards direction! But honestly no one else would notice this but me.

I do the same thing with my bras-all bras!

I do this also, lol. OP, size doesn't matter (of breast or nipple) unless, as previously stated, nipple is inverted and then a shield or help might be needed to get baby to latch.

luvmyducks · February 2013

pepomntpat:
It should really only matter if they are inverted. Otherwise it will be fine.

This or flat.

I remember seeing my SIL's nipples after she gave birth and they were HUGE. I thought mine would look like that, but they don't. They are only a little bigger that before.

alexandra1818 · February 2013

babystoli:
I had a minor (or major) freak out last weekend... mine have become gigantic. I had a "what if they continue to grow at this rate... they will be bigger than the baby's mouth!" Possibly an irrational moment

Makes me feel better about my minor freak out when looking at baby bottles last week... BRU had a display out with a nipple that boasted being the closest to mother's breast. I actually looked down the neck of my shirt right there and then! I got home with the free gifts from BRU (they gave me a bag of stuff for registering) and it included one bottle with this fancy nipple on it... and I actually pulled off my shirt and bra right then and there at home and had a bit of a freak out that they're NOT the same.

I don't have flat or inverted nipples, just small ones (about 1cm long & 1 cm wide).

Thanks everyone for the advice... I'll wait to see if they change as much as my breasts have, and go talk to a LLL before birth.

Bliss312 · February 2013

You do not need to have a certain size nipple to breastfeed. You DO need to have patience, realistic expectations, and a good lactation consultant if you run into difficulties. Nipple shields are fantastic to help in the beginning if baby is having trouble latching, but I would just see how baby does. Every newborn is so different, and I have seen some babies latch on to nipples as flat as a window with no problem. Again, a good lactation consultant can make all the difference. I would not stress about this in the least, just relax and wait for baby to come. Your nipples will likely still go through some changes prior to and after delivery. Good luck!

ellewoodsSC · February 2013

alexandra1818:
babystoli:
I had a minor (or major) freak out last weekend... mine have become gigantic. I had a "what if they continue to grow at this rate... they will be bigger than the baby's mouth!" Possibly an irrational moment

Makes me feel better about my minor freak out when looking at baby bottles last week... BRU had a display out with a nipple that boasted being the closest to mother's breast. I actually looked down the neck of my shirt right there and then! I got home with the free gifts from BRU (they gave me a bag of stuff for registering) and it included one bottle with this fancy nipple on it... and I actually pulled off my shirt and bra right then and there at home and had a bit of a freak out that they're NOT the same.
I don't have flat or inverted nipples, just small ones (about 1cm long & 1 cm wide).
Thanks everyone for the advice... I'll wait to see if they change as much as my breasts have, and go talk to a LLL before birth.

Your nipples are quite normal, don't worry. Nobody's nipples look like the bottles Smile because a real breast changes dramatically to conform to the baby's mouth while the bottle nipple shape is pretty much fixed. The baby doesn't attach to the real nipple (this would hurt a lot), but will take up the breast around the areola and use its tongue to rhythmically strip the areola and nipple far back in the mouth to get milk. That's why breastfeeding gives you those stretched out saggy boobs and nips.

OSUJaydee · February 2013

I'd advise talking with a lactation consult prior to birth to find out what options you have if LO has a hard time latching (nipple shields, etc). I had no idea my nipples were small until right after birth when the nurse freaked out on me about how I'd have an impossible time breastfeeding. She so helpfully shoved a bottle in my face telling me my nipples needed to look like the bottle, which they don't at all. I gave up after two days and went to formula, but I'm sure if I had been in a better state of mind and had people helping me I could have done it. I think if I had been more prepared it wouldn't have gone so badly.

equinus · February 2013

I also had small nipples and huge boobs, and my left one was inverted (and after 21 mos of nursing DD it is no longer inverted), and while breastfeeding was a challenge at first, it wasn't too bad. I did want to add, I pumped when I went back to work, and even though my boobs were huge, I had to special order small flanges online because my nipples were so small. Good luck!

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