Inverted nipples

[julie128]

I'm studying to be a lactation consultant. Recently, I spoke with a teenager who is due any day now. She wants to bf, and she has inverted nipples (her mother told me, I didn't see them). The texts and books I'm reading don't have practical tips on getting a baby to latch with inverted nipples, only how to use devices to get the nipple to protrude. The texts also say the devices are not effective. Great, thanks. What worked for you or your friends with inverted nipples? I'd like to be prepared if she calls.

[elizaMM]

I had one flat and one inverted nipple. My baby latched okay until my milk came in, then had a lot of trouble but it could have been for a variety of reasons. My IBCLC said while I was pregnant that it probably wouldn't be a problem. She never mentioned that she thought my nipples might be the problem with DS's latch, and she didn't seem to adjust her recommendations based on the fact that mine had been/were inverted. Now we're nursing fine and they sure don't look inverted anymore.

So that's one story for ya. FWIW. Good luck.

[My*Scorpio]

Medela sells shells that can be worn between feedings to help the nipples stick out more. Here is a link: http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com...verted-nipples

Another thing that may work is to use a breastpump for a few moments before latching baby on to pull the nipples out.

Trying to make a "breast sandwich" by holding the areola in a "C" shape was also suggested to me. (I had trouble with this tough.)

Here are some more links:

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com...ednipples.html

http://www.breastfeeding-basics.com/...inverted.shtml (shows picture of the breast sandwich)

It is difficult at first, but after the first few weeks, my nipples stuck out all the time and my son was able to latch on without any problems.

[mytwogirls]

:

I agree with that advice. One of mine was inverted and hooking up to the pump helped a great deal with me.

[tree-hugger]

nipple shields can help too

[MaryJaneLouise]

This product is supposed to be clinically proven to help:

http://www.maternalconcepts.com/inde...91f608b650c814

It's called the Evert-it

[GooeyRN]

I wore breast shells between feedings and it really helped a lot.

http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com...verted-nipples

It made latching much easier! Pumping for 2-3 minutes before a feed also helped if I forgot to wear the shells. It gave baby something to latch onto.

[julie128]

They will probably give her breast shells in the hospital. The interesting thing is that mothers who are instructed to use them are more likely to quit breastfeeding than those who are told they are not necessary.

Thanks for the links. They're like a gold mine.

[veronicalynne]

Aside from the breast pump & shield (which I could not use as they were too big for babys dd1 mouth), I was also told to pinch (gently) the areola (sp?) then physically put in babys mouth. I was told that babys nursing would be way better than a breast pump to pull the nipple out.....and it worked. Until she pulled them out, which took approx. one month, I also did suppliment and used the pump. At that time (end of one month), I was able to stop using a bottle for my dd, and just breastfed: Btw, I was told by the nurses at the hospital and the lactation specialist that I had the most inverted nipples they had ever seen. I also was able to exclusively bf dd2

[GooeyRN]

I wish when I had my dd someone would have told me about breast shells, nipple shields, etc. My dd never latched. I am still EPing for her for almost 3 years now. Maybe she could have bf'd from the tap if we would have known about them. The shells really saved bfing for my ds. He had a very difficult time latching as well, but when I used the shells he was able to get right on there. I only needed them for less than a week. I wore them between feeds.

[bmcneal]

I have inverted nipples, and when DD was born, I asked the nurses and LC if they could help me help her latch on. They told me that they couldn't help me until my supply came in, but my supply wouldn't come in because I couldn't nurse her. They didn't offer me nipple shields, but instead told me to use a regular bottle nipple. It helped, but it was VERY uncomfortable, and she still ended up losing almost a pound. Sorry I don't have anything helpful though.

[WyattsMom2008]

I had flat nipples and had to use nipple shields until ds was four months old. If I'd known how much trouble they'd be, I really would have tried harder to get ds to latch without them while we were still in the hospital. They made breastfeeding take much, much longer. I also believe they caused supply problems.

[suzywan]

Hey - do any of you think shells will help me now? DS is 6 mos and still uses a shield - v v v annoying - my nipples are just too *small* for his taste

When I pump at work they pull out nicely but then flatten out again in about an hour. Would the shells keep them pointy?

Sorry for the hijack, OP!!!

[GooeyRN]

Originally Posted by suzywan

Hey - do any of you think shells will help me now? DS is 6 mos and still uses a shield - v v v annoying - my nipples are just too *small* for his taste

When I pump at work they pull out nicely but then flatten out again in about an hour. Would the shells keep them pointy?

Sorry for the hijack, OP!!!

The shells would keep them pointy, but you would have to wear them at least an hour or so before each feeding. You can also pump a minute or 2 to pull out your nipples, then bf.

[tuscany123]

My nipples were inverted - I wore the Medela shells to help pull them out the last few weeks of my pg. Then, when DD was born, I would "pull" on my nipple to make it protrude before she latched on. After a while, I did not have to do that, the nipples stuck out by themselves. I will say, I did not ever become "engorged" so my breasts perhaps were a little easier to latch on to as a result.

I am now nursing #2, and we are doing fine. #1 did all the legwork, and my nipples are no longer inverted.

[annalaura]

i had inverted nipples when my son was born,breastfeeding was really difficult in the beginning,but what REALLY REALLY helped me was a medela nipple shield. it was like a life saver. he latched on immediately...such a relief after spending the past week trying and trying. he used it for a few months,then eventually he didnt need it anymore. my nipples are no longer inverted,a lactation consultant once told me that he would "pull them right out" and i didnt really believe her....but its true! also- you just have to stick with it,it was hard sometimes and stressful and emotionally tiring,but we found a solution and it worked for the both of us