Hope for my inverted nipple?

StephBrim24 · March 2014

I have one inverted nipple. DS is 7 days old at this point. If we work at latching on it for 15 minutes or so, he can eventually work it out and latch. By then we're both hot , tired, and grumpy. I've been trying a hand pump now to pull it out before he feeds on it. That helps a little. He hates the nipple shield and doesn't get enough milk with it so he quits. So my question is - anyone have inverted nipples and have success stories of them eventually staying out instead of softening and going back in after each feeding?

eves1989 · March 2014

My left side is inverted and I had a hard time. I used a manual pump for a few days until milk came out. Unfortunately DD preferred the right side since it was producing more. But still, I offered the inverted side.

randcbaby · March 2014

I did use the nipple shield for a few months, but then my nipples started to come out on their own sometimes, or if not, DS got very good at pulling them out. Be patient -- your body and your baby will figure it out, but I'll be honest, it might be rough for a while. It was really hard for me for at least a few weeks, if not months, but then it just became the easiest thing ever, and I'm still nursing a 16-month-old (never thought I'd nurse past a year). You can do it!

Also, go see an IBCLC. I saw one once or twice a week for a couple of months, and she was SO instrumental in helping me to keep going! They know so much, and it's so helpful to have an expert there to watch what you're doing and correct anything that might not be perfect. Mine was also a bit of a therapist, or at least a cheerleader, which I definitely needed.

GOOD LUCK!

StephBrim24 · March 2014

Thank you for the hope and advice ladies. I hope I can stick with it until it's resolved.

agfox92 · March 2014

Both of mine are inverted. Made it tough in the beginning but we are successful! I used the medela inverted nipple soft shells between feeding and it helped! I didn't have to use a nipple shield after using those. After a couple weeks of using them I didn't need to anymore. That's what I would recommend. They work!

StephBrim24 · March 2014

@agfox92‌ - thank you for giving me hope!

KaramelSutra · March 2014

I have (had?) one inverted and one flat. I am successfully EMF my almost 7 month old. I used nipple shields and the lansinoh nipple everter. Worked wonders!

StephBrim24 · March 2014

@KaramelSutra‌ -- how long did it take for you to not need to use those things anymore?

Soon2BMrsN · March 2014

I also rec the medela shells. I am now expecting #3 and my nipples aren't even really inverted anymore. It's like all those months/years of nursing and pumping "fixed" them.

nicolen11 · March 2014

Get nipple shells! A lactation nurse had me use them to pull my inverted nipples out and they did!

KaramelSutra · March 2014

Was off by 6 weeks. My LC S
says 6 weeks is the magic mark

StephBrim24 · March 2014

The nipple shells are ordered - both in Medela and Avent. Any preferred brand? How'd you handle the rawness? I dread latching him on every time (even the normal nipple).

StephBrim24 · March 2014

@Soon2BMrsN‌ , @KaramelSutra‌ , and @nicolen11‌ , did you sleep with the nipple shells on? Leave them on all the time? Our hardest feeds are the nighttime ones since I'm fuller and it's been longer since he nursed so my nipple had a chance to soften a lot. Will it be okay to sleep with them?

Soon2BMrsN · March 2014

StephBrim24 said:

@Soon2BMrsN‌ , @KaramelSutra‌ , and @nicolen11‌ , did you sleep with the nipple shells on? Leave them on all the time? Our hardest feeds are the nighttime ones since I'm fuller and it's been longer since he nursed so my nipple had a chance to soften a lot. Will it be okay to sleep with them?

I never slept in them. Not telling you to spend more money that you probably already have, but a small manual pump would also work to draw the nipple out a bit before feeding, especially if you're overly full.

Mrs_D_in_KY · March 2014

I have also used a Lansinoh nipple extractor to help draw out my nipples.

agfox92 · March 2014

I slept with mine on. The worst part of the medela ones (never used the avent ones) was that in the early stages of engorgement they filled with milk and sometimes spilt out the top vent holes. This happened especially when I went over to pick stuff up. I did wear breast pads over them which helped some but not always.

Hope for my inverted nipple?

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