I'm about to have my baby in a couple of weeks but have been told by an expert that my nipples may not allow me to breastfeed because they were too flat/inverted on occasion?? I used nipple shields with my first born and found them annoying and they frustrated my bub to no end. Also, she got used to them and it was difficult to revert back to not using them.
I'd love any advice on the subject. Is it merely perseverance?
Last edited by DreamBabies; May 19th, 2013 at 01:32 PM.
Hello! I'm not experienced with shields or inverted nipples but I know a lot of mothers and babies have struggled with BF early on for all sorts of reasons, myself included, and it can be SO hard but it is not insurmountable.
i also know a few people who have had to use shields- there are lots of different sorts out there so if you have to use them again, maybe try a few, get some personal recs. and if you and baby do have to use shields for a long while who cares? You're breastfeeding and that's the most important thing.
Plus you may not even need them- good to be prepared but you never know
Last edited by Ladylove; April 6th, 2013 at 12:47 AM.
Not every woman can breastfeed - but nearly all can. For most women these days it is like setting off from Melbourne to Sydney without having once looked at the map, and without being able to read the signposts. Most people have an “I will if I can” philosophy and “it’s supposed to be natural isn’t it” They don’t use the information around them (ABA, Breastfeeding Education classes, Lactation consultants) And unfortunately the one person you asked sounds to have given you the wrong directions! (sigh) Then people arrive in Adelaide and not Sydney and wonder where they took the wrong turn. You haven’t got long to go, but educate yourself as much as possible. Have your baby skin to skin with you, and help her to feed early. Get a good LC and join your local ABA group. It all makes such a difference
I think almost all mothers can feed, so long as they get good information and support. Perhaps you could try getting in touch with another LC for a second opinion, that might be reassuring for you. Joining the ABA and connecting with other breastfeeding mums around you, as well as accessing counsellors in your area, might also be really helpful.
I had very flat nipples with one slightly inverted. Breastfeeding dd took some getting used to because of the way she had to stretch my nipple out. After the first five weeks or so I was breastfeeding in all different situations and positions. It takes perseverance and time. I haven't stopped breastfeeding since then, although dd weaned at 2.5. At 2 ds is feeding lots still and was easy to feed from day one. Good luck.
I got such a hard time from my DH's family when trying to feed BD. They all but accused me of starving her. My DH restricted their contact with me and the baby because of it.
I really want to breastfeed my new baby. I'm feeling determined. DH supports me in this.
Will my baby get enough milk if it takes weeks for me to get it right? Will I be depriving them? I don't want to start top-ups or pumping prematurely. How will I know when to give up?
You're going to look at things like how many wet nappies they get in a 24 hour period (if you use disposables, this is about 5 wet nappies, cloth nappies about 6-8), things like weight gain (steady, gradual, consistent), things like skin tone & alertness, and a baby that at least for some parts of the day is contented. As you're about to find out, even when they have the same parents, no two babies are the same, so until your new bubs is in your arms it's all a bit speculative, but there are good general guidelines to telling whether or no he/she is getting enough. You're also going to do skin-to-skin like nothing else, and to do baby-led-attachment, because this is brilliant for stimulating supply, and getting bubs to get attachment sorted very early on. Worthwhile googling baby-led-attachment videos, because it's ah-maz-ing stuff. If you join ABA, then you get sent a really good book on Bfing, it's a brilliant resource, loaded with information, and then anytime you've got a BF question or concern, you can call them - even at 3am in the morning (even if you don't join, you can call them). The ABA website is loaded with info too. You're also going to put aside the fears about inverted nipples, because really, it's just one person's opinion. Deal with your actual reality, not someone's speculation, if that makes sense. If you have to use nipple shields to get started, then that's okay too, but just because you used them last time, doesn't mean you'll need them this time around (again BLA can really really help with this). If you do need to use them make sure they're the correct size for your nipples, this can make things much easier.
Having said all that, it's really normal to be anxious & worried about what's to come. It's a huge change, and worries about breastfeeding just add to it all. But your DH sounds like a keeper, and maybe he could do some reading up as well, which can also be enormously helpful. Maybe get him to watch some of the Baby-led-attachment videos Your health nurse may have some recommendations for lactation consultants in your area, so that if you need some direct hands-on help (maybe not literally, but you know what I mean hopefully) you can get that help quickly, before your in-laws really get into your head.
Good luck
PS Did I mention skin-to-skin and BLA? They're really awesome
Thank you so much, BG. Wish you were going to be at my side with that kind of support. Lol! I've since googled BLA and feel a bit more in the know about it. I'm on maternity leave now so I'll take some time to watch some videos too.
I didn't like using the nipple shields at all with BD. I did it because I thought I had to but now I know I should have tried harder or sought further advice. I think I was a deer in the headlights with my first baby. I want to be informed and supported. I am feeling far more determined this time around.
I just hope I can. DH has promised to kick visitors out again if I feel stressed or uncomfortable. He still feels bad that he wasn't reading my signs as well as he should of (he's a gem).
I like the sound of your DH!! You're determined and that is a lot of the battle. I swear that's what got me to stick with it after a very rough start with DS3, determination and much more education than I had with DS1&2. I'm sure you can do it too
Just remember though (going on from what BG said) Babies only get a very small amount of colostrum in the first days - and that is normal. In the first 5 days you would only expect one wet nappy per day of life - eg one wet nappy on the first day, 2 on the second day etc. You would expect a baby to lose 10% of their birthweight and regain in by 2-3 weeks. That would be completely normal. You baby only know’s *your nipples* - it doesn’t know what everyone else’s nipples are like. Those first early feeds will imprint how to feed from “your” nipples
Call your local aBA group and see if you can get into a Breastfeeding class before the baby is born
I just want to second what Barb says about the wet nappies over the first few days. My DD # 2 didn't harldy have any wetness in her nappies (hard to tell too b/c of the hospital using disposables, so I put cotton balls in her nappies) but she still was doing well, so don't go off that solely.
My DD lost close to nearly over 10% of her birth weight & I started to feel some pressure from the midwives about top ups etc...but I put my foot down & engaged the hospitals lactation consultant and put in place a 'plan' with her. (three hourly feeds amongst other things) If I ever felt a little under pressure about comp feeding etc... I'd tell them that I was following the plan set out by the LC & they left me alone. On discharge from the hospital DD # 2 hadn't gained much weight back (20 gms from memory) but I told them I was following up with the LC (which I was) and they didn't say anything more.
If you can, engage a LC upfront for reassurance and support.
I had inverted nipples most the time before DS1 and he breastfed like a bloody champ. I rarely got inverted nipples once he was done with me but I still have flat nipples. DS2 had attachment issuesbut I think that was also due to PND so I didn't want to feed him. I expressed heaps and topped him up with that and got the swing of things as time went on and bf till 18mo. I'm hoping to make it till 2 this time. dDS1 only bf till 10.5mo but that was on his own accord. Definitely possible to feed with different nipples, we are all different
Going to suggest ABA again, as well. The book is a great resource, as BG has said, and you may still be able to squeeze into a breastfeeding class if you call now and find out. Though the local support groups and counsellors you can get loads of support and access to accurate information that will help you to know whether your baby is getting enough and what you can do if things are not going so well.
Good luck!
I'm like Rhichichi- my DD lost about 11% of her birth weight (not sure if you remember with your first one but the hospital usually does the official weigh in on damn day three when most mothers get the baby blues- stupid timing) and I was told by one midwife to express get hurry up my milk (it hadn't come in yet) but then in the same sentence she said I needed to top up with formula. DDwas very unsettled in the hospy too, she was one of only two or three babies on my floor that cried on and off all night! So I felt like I was being pressured and judged, but we stick to our guns and as others here have recommended we put DD on the boob all the time. I gave up on the idea of timing feeds or trying to feed three hourly or whatever and just fed whenever she cried basically. I had nipple damage and pain on one side and eventually decided to rest that side for four or so days by feeding off one side then pumping off the other. This was the perfect solution for me as it allowed time and space to heal the nipple but pumping isn't for everyone.
I clearly remember counting and examining wet nappies! It did my head in. I do remember someone telling me, when I was madly trying to see how much urine was in a dirty nappy, that poo counts as a wet nappy- something that just stuck in my mind!
Can any mother breastfeed?
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