Please help me avoid a another breastfeeding fiasco

[Swallow16]

Hi everybody!

I'm hoping to get some advice from the experienced breastfeeders around here.

My son was only breastfed for a week.

During my pregnancy I was very determined to breastfeed. I have one extremely flat nipple, and the other one is actually inverted. I didn't realise in advance that this would be a problem. The breastfeeding class I took never really mentioned the shape of nipples. Prior to giving birth none of the midwives who did my follow-up ever bothered to look at my breasts. 

I had my son in a baby-friendly hospital, so we had immediate skin-to-skin. A midwive helped latch, but there just wasn't enough nipple for him to get a proper latch on. He tried for some time and then he just gave up. Even with silicone nipple shields, and with the help of several lactation consultants, we never got him to latch on. 

After the first day, I started pumping every 3 hours around the clock. I kept this up for a week, along with trying to latch him. He never latched, and I never managed to get more than an ounce or so per 30 min pumping session. After that week, my son was severely dehydrated and losing weight fast, so there was no other solution than to give him formula. My supply never improved beyond those tiny amounts in spite of intensive pumping. It was impossible to spend over 4 hours daily attached to a pump unable to hold my baby after my husband went back to work and left me home alone, so I had to quit. I feel horrible about it all. 

The root of the problem as I see it, is that I cant establish a latch due to my flat/inverted nipples. Because the baby never actually drinks from my breast, my milk never comes in properly (I never experienced letdown). All that pumping hasn't made any change to the shape of my nipples so I'm afraid I'm stuck with them. 

Is there a way to avoid this with my next child or is breastfeeding a lost cause for me?

[eabbmom]

Breastfeeding is rarely a lost cause for anyone. Line up your support network now. Go to la leche league meetings, check out Dr. Jack Newman's website, find an ibclc that can tell you how she can help you and give specific treatment protocol. You can do it!

[phathui5]

Here are a couple of articles:

http://www.breastfeeding-basics.com/articles/flat-or-inverted-nipples

http://www.motherandchildhealth.com/Breastfeeding/Becky/inverted.html

[Swallow16]

Thanks for the input everyone! 

I'm hoping to hear some experiences from women who have faced similar problems as me, or input from experienced midwives who have come across this before.

I called my local LLL and all they had to offer was a sympathetic pat on the back and "perhaps your next baby will be a better nurser".  Not very much to go on really, as I don't believe the problem was on baby's side to begin with. They didn't believe in the breast shell/nipple massage techniques. I have to say that I did quite a lot of pumping on the highest setting and pulling/rotating my nipples. It hasn't changed their shape at all. Did anyone on here manage to make a change to her nipples? How long did it take for you?

Anyone?

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by Swallow16 

Thanks for the input everyone! 

I'm hoping to hear some experiences from women who have faced similar problems as me, or input from experienced midwives who have come across this before.

I called my local LLL and all they had to offer was a sympathetic pat on the back and "perhaps your next baby will be a better nurser".  Not very much to go on really, as I don't believe the problem was on baby's side to begin with. They didn't believe in the breast shell/nipple massage techniques. I have to say that I did quite a lot of pumping on the highest setting and pulling/rotating my nipples. It hasn't changed their shape at all. Did anyone on here manage to make a change to her nipples? How long did it take for you?

Anyone?

I have inverted nipples. For the first couple of weeks, I had to use shells when DS wasn't nursing, and when he was, I used shields (or the other way around? I always get those two mixed up). After that, my nipples started to stay "normal" more, and eventually (can't remember timeline), DS was able to latch without anything extra. But since he's stopped nursing, they've gone back to how they were, so I'll have to start all over when this baby is born.

I've never heard of pumping on the highest setting or pulling/rotating nipples for that. That just seems like it would be super painful, IMO.

(The LC at the hospital gave me the shields/shells, but if the LCs won't give them to you, you can find them online, or even at Toys R Us/Baby's R Us.)

Hope that helps.

[Quinalla]

I have one flat nipple. I didn't do anything special last time, but DD did have difficulty latching onto that side when she was little and always preferred my other side (though that may just be because that side produced more milk because of her trouble latching on to the other side). My flat nipple would protrude after a minute or so with the pump (I pumped FT at work) and it would be drawn out after DD BF on that side, but it never really got "better" but I didn't do anything except BF/pump. This time since I'm having twins, I may be more aggressive with it, pumping a bit before latching on a baby and maybe get breast shells for that side too.

I would try to hunt down a local LC or Mom that has successfully tackled inverted nipple issues, I know that will probably be pretty tough, but I think that is your best bet to have someone who has BTDT right with you when you try to BF this time. Hopefully there will be some more good information from ladies here!

[BfeedingBabies]

Hi, I had a friend and knew another mother who both had inverted nipples (quite severely actually) and both of them went on to breastfeed successfully.

There was a lot of work involved.

First thing I learnt from them - don't take into account the pumping volumes as the amount your baby is getting - it's rarely the same, most babies get much more from you than a pump can so don't be disheartened by that.

Second thing - persistence is worth it, it takes ages to get those nipples to be sucked out so keep trying.  

Thirdly - If your baby isn't interested in the breast because they're not getting any milk you could try using a supplemental nursing system - I've got a page about it here with several videos to show you how some mothers do it - http://www.breastfeeding-babies.com/supplemental-nursing-system.html.  This will give you the chance to get that breast stimulation to help induce your milk while you still get your baby enough milk.  It takes a little to get right, but once you're used to it, it's quite easy.

Fourth - be careful with Jack Newman's site - he doesn't believe in inverted nipples and just thinks it's all about latch.  From what I've noticed I'm not sure I agree with him on that one, but latch is certainly still very important.  I've got another page with lots of latch on videos here if you're interested - http://www.breastfeeding-babies.com/latching-on.html

Fifth - if you're still pregnant find yourself a good lactation consultant and get their help before birthing so they can talk to you about any of your concerns

Sixth - if you have a breast milk donation bank close to you and feel like using breast milk rather than formula that is an option too.

Seventh - GO YOU!! Well done for not letting your first experience put you off totally xx