October 2015 Moms

Inverted nipples and breastfeeding

Does anyone have inverted nipples? And if so we're you able to breastfeed? I'm so worried I won't be able to breastfeed and it's something I really would like to do. What's everyone's experiences?

Re: Inverted nipples and breastfeeding

  • One of my nipples was flat/partially inverted when I had my first. The lactation nurse at the hospital helped me with pumping as soon as he was born and I used a nipple shield for the first month and eventually the nipple was more normal and we had figured things out. I ended up nursing for 26 months so it worked out for us. Although it may not be easy at first still try breastfeeding if it's something you want to do. Also use your resources at the hospital and La Leche League meetings can also be helpful. Good luck!
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  • I have them too. I know you CAN breast feed.. It's just harder to get them to latch. I'm planning on mostly pumping when LO gets here. Hopefully I can do one or the other.
  • Nipple Shield! That was only way I could breastfeed. They should give you one in the hospital.
  • I was told I had inverted nipples by the lactation consultant with my first. I breastfed with a nipple shield but did not enjoy it at all! With my second I refused the shield at the hospital. We had a rough couple of days and I had to pump to bottle feed during the first 48 hours but once she 'woke up' was able to get her to latch and while it is not always easy, we are both getting better and breastfeeding is much more enjoyable this time around!
    Married DH 08.28.10
    Pregnancy #1: BFP 04.10.11 EDD 12.23.11 DD1 Born 12.4.11
     Pregnancy #2: BFP 5.12.14 MC 5.20.14 @ 5wk4d
    Pregnancy #3: BFP 11.1.14 EDD 7.5.15 MC 11.13.14 @ 6wk4d
    Pregnancy #4: BFP 1.31.15 EDD 10.5.15 DD2 Born 9.23.15
     
  • That's good to know! I know they told me about the shields but they look so uncomfortable. I'm praying it's easy for him to latch on
  • I used a nipple shield and eventually they become normal, so you don't need it at all. I nursed DS until just after he turned 2. Nipples haven't gone back to flat/inverted and look normal.
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  • Nipple Shield! That was only way I could breastfeed. They should give you one in the hospital.

    How long did u use nipple shield? They said around baby's actual due date should be able to stop using. But I don't mind it, do I have to stop?

  • I started with a nipple shield today and it has made a world of difference. She is only 3 days old and I've just gotten my milk in, but the aggravation and stress is gone.
  • I used a nipple shield until 12 weeks with DS because it worked and I was too scared to let it go. I don't reccomend this in hindsight (nor would a lactation specialist). BUT, we had no issues with nipple soreness, as by 12 weeks DS had a great latch. If I use a shield this time around, I'll constantly try to nurse without the shield and not use it as a crutch.
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  • CocoR04 said:

    I used a nipple shield until 12 weeks with DS because it worked and I was too scared to let it go. I don't reccomend this in hindsight (nor would a lactation specialist). BUT, we had no issues with nipple soreness, as by 12 weeks DS had a great latch. If I use a shield this time around, I'll constantly try to nurse without the shield and not use it as a crutch.

    May I ask why you don't recommend?
    I have been using for 5 weeks. I try every couple days with out and she will go a few seconds but has trouble because it's a lot smaller than the nipple shield to latch on to.

  • I don't have inverted nipples, but my LO has a hard time latching. The lactation doctor suggested I try to get her to latch without it once a day and said to be patient. Baby will stop needing the nipple shield when she is ready :)
  • I use a nipple shield and while half the time I absolutely hate it it's definitely helped with making breastfeeding possible. I have pretty flat nipples and LO doesn't have a great latch. The LC I met with said there is nothing wrong with using a nipple shield, if it works it works! Though I do want to eventually wean her off I will keep using it for as long as we need to. I have noticed that my nipples aren't as flat as they were before baby (baby is 16 days old) and I can get her to latch on without the shield for a few minutes at a time. I don't regret having to use a nipple shield and it's something that you shouldn't be ashamed to have to use. And I'm hoping once LO is a little older her latch will be better and she won't need the shield anymore!
  • I actually used a nipple shield for 8 months with DS- definitely not the recommended advice, but it worked for us. I'm sure he could have learned to go without a lot sooner, but he put up a huge fight when I tried and I really didn't mind. It allowed me to exclusively breastfeed that whole time- he never had a drop of formula. I consider that a win, and he's always been off the charts big, so he was definitely getting enough milk.

    Not sure why experts care if you keep using it, assuming baby is thriving and you are ok with the inconvenience.

    Right at 8 months, he started rejecting it and taking it off himself before nursing. I was thrilled to be done! :)
  • CocoR04 said:

    I used a nipple shield until 12 weeks with DS because it worked and I was too scared to let it go. I don't reccomend this in hindsight (nor would a lactation specialist). BUT, we had no issues with nipple soreness, as by 12 weeks DS had a great latch. If I use a shield this time around, I'll constantly try to nurse without the shield and not use it as a crutch.

    May I ask why you don't recommend?
    I have been using for 5 weeks. I try every couple days with out and she will go a few seconds but has trouble because it's a lot smaller than the nipple shield to latch on to.

    Shields can cause milk transfer issues, but not in all moms. I should have included that DS started having weight gain problems around 9-12 weeks, which might have been caused by the shield. My pediatrician was pretty adamant about me giving it up at that time to make sure supply wasn't an issue. Luckily, DS took to nursing without the shield and quickly started gaining weight. I still don't really know if the shield caused the weight gain issues, but that's also when I went back to work, so there were a few things that could have caused it. From my research, if baby is gaining and still on his/her growth curve, then the shield is not a problem!
    image
  • I used it for the 6 months that I breastfed.
  • CocoR04 said:

    CocoR04 said:

    I used a nipple shield until 12 weeks with DS because it worked and I was too scared to let it go. I don't reccomend this in hindsight (nor would a lactation specialist). BUT, we had no issues with nipple soreness, as by 12 weeks DS had a great latch. If I use a shield this time around, I'll constantly try to nurse without the shield and not use it as a crutch.

    May I ask why you don't recommend?
    I have been using for 5 weeks. I try every couple days with out and she will go a few seconds but has trouble because it's a lot smaller than the nipple shield to latch on to.

    Shields can cause milk transfer issues, but not in all moms. I should have included that DS started having weight gain problems around 9-12 weeks, which might have been caused by the shield. My pediatrician was pretty adamant about me giving it up at that time to make sure supply wasn't an issue. Luckily, DS took to nursing without the shield and quickly started gaining weight. I still don't really know if the shield caused the weight gain issues, but that's also when I went back to work, so there were a few things that could have caused it. From my research, if baby is gaining and still on his/her growth curve, then the shield is not a problem!
    Thanks for all the info everyone!! I will continue to try without it every other day or so. She was 6 weeks early and isn't to her original due date yet so hopefully she will come around. She is small but gained good weight since we have been home but don't want to hinder her. I just switched from half breastmilk bottles and breastfeed to all breastfeed Bc she had good progress at her one month. Will weigh her in two weeks to see if still same!

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