Ok, so I am 35weeks pregnant, and am ready to have my little one (in time) and experience BF'ing. As sad as it is, there arent any people that I know that BF in real life, so I have no where to go!!!!!

I have been to two BF'ing classes, and read books, and MDC of course, but now I am thinking......

in a book I had, it was a "check" to see if you had flat or inverted nipples. It said to squeeze 1 inch back from the nipple. So.... I am thinking that its right where the areola meets the breast, right? If the nipple goes in, then its flat/inverted. Unless I am doing the "pinch test" wrong, I am 99% positive that I have this issue! :irked:

I've also read that they reccomend trying to use breast shells during the last couple of months of pregnancy to try to avoid this problem. Are they worth it? Do they work? Where do I get it? How do I use it?

I have such a huge fear of not being able to breastfeed, and I try to sit everyday, and imagine myself doing it, and telling myself that its natural, and can and will with perseverance, WORK OUT. But im still scared!

Suggestions/Advice on breast shells/nipple shields? TIA ladies!

I asked my midwife about this before my first was born and was told all was fine. After the birth, a different midwife attended and as we were trying to get my daughter latched on, she told me I did indeed have flat nipples (argh). But, it turned out fine and wasn't terribly stressful. I bought some shells and used those for the 10-20 minutes before I thought my daughter would be hungry (yes, guessing was a pain, and sometimes I was walking and holding trying to put her off a bit while I waited), but I think I ended up using them less than 2 weeks. So even if you don't do anything now, all is not lost. I don't know if wearing them before the birth would help, but it doesn't seem like it would hurt (though it seems inconvenient). I bought my shells at Babies R Us. Now that I've read around here a bit, I'd try to avoid shields if I could since they seem much harder to wean off of.

I used the shells, they helped a bit. My doula told me nursing would bring my nipples out and she was right.

In the beginning, if you feel like your nipple is causing problems, just pinch it between your fingers to get it out when you go to latch. Or use the pump to draw it out a bit and then feed.

Also, you may have more pain early on depending on how difficult it is for your LO to latch. So be prepared to stick it out for a while.

As you go, assuming flat/inverted nipples work the same on everyone, your nipples will be out and ready all the time.

HTH
V

I worried about this after taking a bfing class and so I wore the shells from Dec to Feb. Turns out I have zero problem at all. But I don't think it can hurt you and they're not all that bothersome so go get you some.

Can you call the LC at the hospital you are delivering in and ask to meet with her now for a nipple evaluation?

I would guess that I could call, I have an appt on Tuesday.... I will try asking. Thanks ladies. I'm pretty sure I will go get some shells just to have. I'm guessing it cant hurt. Even if I dont need them now, who wants to run out with a newborn in January anyway? Again, thanks ladies. I am just really trying to educate myself as much as possible.