Flat nipples

[ScotchEgg]

Hi all, I've read this board all through my pregnancy as I really wanted to breastfeed. Little Sausage Roll is 9 days old now and breastfeeding is getting a little easier.

I have completely flat nipples which makes latching on hard. I also have a very strong let down which means we both end up covered in milk when we start to feed. We're getting the latch much better but my nipples are not healing.

I'm using breast shells on the advice of my midwife to help with both, but he often doesn't give me enough notice to get a bit of a rise and let a bit of milk out.

Will this get better or will I have to do this every time we feed? I'll do what it takes but it's adding to the exhaustion.

 

[Ammdaz]

You'll probably find once your supply settles down that the spurting milk will reduce. I have a strong letdown too and my poor LO often gets an eyeful of milk if she unlatches at that time, which she often does as it makes her cough and splutter sometimes. It was definitely worse in the early days though and now I just keep a muslin handy to catch the milk if needed and it only lasts a few seconds.

As for the flat nipples, again this is likely to improve the more you feed. Before starting to bf my DS four and a half years ago I had flat/inverted nipples. Surprisingly DS actually managed to latch quite well and by feeding him I now have very sticky outy nipples! They have stayed that way ever since.

Are you using lansinoh to help with healing? It really is great stuff. At 9 days in its quite common to still be sore, especially if you've been having trouble latching, but as long as you're getting the latch right now it will improve.

Sounds like you're doing a fab job though xxx

 

[BeeSmall]

Lansinoh really is magic stuff it makes good lipgloss too but that's besides the point haha

My nipples were really flat to begin with but 7 weeks in they have definitely changed shape and Henry finds it much easier to latch than he did in the early days. I'm sure that it'll get easier for you, stick at it, sounds like you're doing a fab job x

 

[ScotchEgg]

Thank you. It's a relief to hear they might not stay flat for good, I just figured they were a lost cause.

I'm slathered in lanisoh.

I actually had a bit of my nipple fall off tonight which was traumatic but it doesn't look like he took in any blood this time as he kept his feed down.

I still don't think we've got the latch 100% right but I've spent the evening watching YouTube videos and the midwife is due tomorrow so I'll get her to check again.

Thank you for your support, it gives me faith

 

[MrsS143]

Omg Scotch
picturing your nipple fall off
*I pictured an actual scotch egg with a human nipple that fell off covering an actual sausage roll in 'ketchup' blood*
I shouldn't laugh sorry

hope it improves soon x

 

[l_maclean]

I'm 12 weeks in and still were getting soaked! Lol.

Is it shells or shields your using?? If your struggling with latch shields might be an option you just pop them on and it gives LO more to grip iykwim.

 

[Tigger87]

I've no experience of flat nipples but I did get very sore! My little monster had a few chunks of my nipple too. We're at 7 weeks now and he's been doing brilliantly for a few weeks - no more soreness/cracking/bleeding, so hang in there, it does get better

 

[ScotchEgg]

Mrs S that's so funny! Made me giggle.

I found another scab from the other nip in his mouth at the 4am feed. Poor SR his mummy's falling to bits when he eats! He's an accidental cannibal!

l_MacLean, I'm using shells. Letting my nips 'slosh' around in milk to help heal them as well as using the cream.

There were so many tears last night. I've always offered the second best and he's only just started to take it which halves the healing time on each boob between feeds.

I'm going to keep going, is just so hard.

 

[MrsS143]

I could just be naive and not informed as I've never done it before
cant you express your own milk to bottle feed him?

 

[ScotchEgg]

I could but I really want to get the feeding right. We haven't got the latch quite right yet and I don't want to confuse things with adding a bottle yet.

 

[BeeSmall]

Keep going Scotch, it will get easier when your nipples toughen up, it really doesn't take long...we all had plenty of tears early on and now it seems like worlds ago even though it was only a few weeks. I definitely wouldn't express and bottle feed until his latch is right because it won't make it any better. Hope the midwife can help with the latch and hopefully that will stop little sausage roll taking chunks out!! Cheeky boy x

 

[ScotchEgg]

He's just been weighed and at 10 days is 2oz above his birth weight. So glad as it shows I'm doing the feeding right even if it's sore.

Midwife said his latch is perfect and I just need to heal. She said we could consider nipple shields or pumping for a day but the best thing is just to soldier on...

 

[BeeSmall]

Whoop well done, it makes such a difference when you know all the hard work has been worth it well done!

 

[Minchin]

Well done keep going, i was also in tears for first two or three weeks. I used shield on right nip as so cracked and bleeding he was taking on blood, I used it every other fees for about three days and it helped it to heal and didnt confuse lO or anything. Might be a thought only if pain is totally unbearable. Keep going, lO will get better at latching and your nips will toughen up too xx

 

[ScotchEgg]

My left nipple is ever so slightly domed! I think changes are afoot! (I can't believe I'm so excited by that!)

 

[MrsMisa]

Mine were a little flat and I found expressing shaped them a better for lo to latch. We're now at 8 weeks amd it's much better. Hang in there

 

[ScotchEgg]

I'm getting there, thank you for your support. My boobs are less engorged now so the nipples are less stretched and I can shove a bit more into his mouth. After each feed I now have something which resembles a nipple. It doesn't last but it's getting easier for him to draw something out and we're both much calmer about feeding. Plus my nips are finally starting to heal. Than you all again xxx

 

[babyem]

I have fairly flat nipples. A lactation consultant told me a tip:

-Get a 50ml syringe and cut the nozzle end off.
-Put the plunger type bit into the new hole, so its like a syringe still but with a bigger hole. This is so the part touching your boob is smooth and you dont get hurt on a sharp bit of the cut end.
-Put it on your nipple and pull the plunger back, so you're sucking the nipple out. It should make it more prominent

Also, have you tried expressing a little before feeding? This may help give a better shape lol x

 

[BeeSmall]

Glad things are getting better for you x