Question about breastfeeding... - please help!

Danalana wrote: I really want to breastfeed, but I have a question for those of you who have done it. Did any of you have flat (or inverted) nipples when you started? Mine are flat and I know there are nipple shields that help bring them out, or whatever...did any of you have the same problem, then went on to have a great BFing relationship with baby? I'm getting so nervous! Not that I am going to try a couple of times and give up. I will explore every possible avenue to make this work
Anyway, any experience here?

MyBabeMaddie replied: I did, Dana, its weird actually - My friends always made fun of me because I ALWAYS had hard nipples no flat or inverted problems at all - Then when I got pregnant they went away and they were so flat, sadly they still are - I used a nipple shield which REALLY REALLY helped - It was nice too because it didn't hurt at all either and when she got thrush I never worried about it because we didn't have skin to skin contact so I never got it. I didn't BF for as long as I would have liked, the only bad thing was it seemed like the longer we went with the shield the harder it was to break away from it. One day I lost the shield and tried to BF without it and she just could not figure it out so that was the end of that.

moped replied: Yes I do and did with Jack and I think the same thing is happening - the sheilds worked great for me for about a week or two then we did find on our own......you will do great, patience is the word i think

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I did when I had Andrew. The nipple shields were kind of a pain but they helped - I only used them when I couldn't get him latch on at all or when the cracks were really bad (the nipple shield helped protect them a bit). The nurses at the hospital helped me a lot too - one of them showed me a way to pinch the nipple and kind of shove it into the baby's mouth. TMI but it worked! After a few months of nursing they weren't so flat anymore, and I didn't have any flat nipple problems with Allie at all.

bawoodsmall replied: I didnt really like them. They didnt help at all with Aiden.

Kaitlin'smom replied: I did not have those issues I just wanted to offer support and let you tons of women do have that problme but they went on to BF successfully. I will be honest its not easy at first but you have to be patient and ask for help when needed. Yes there will be times it hurts but that to will pass. If this is somehting you really want to do then you will do anything and everything possible to make it a success. Best of luck.

lovemy2 replied: I have flat nipples too and tried like H*&^ to breast feed - no one really pushed the breast shields and I so wish they had cause I think it was what may have made the difference....good luck - definately have patience - it takes time for some babies to get the hang of it - Mommas too - Good Luck and there is lots of support here

julesmom replied: I have seriously flat nipples and was able to bf 3 kids for a total of 33 mths combined. No problems at all.

I think what helps is having a lactation specialist in the hospital where/when you deliver. I had a great one at the hospital where I delivered my first and I think that was a life saver.

If you are determined, you will succeed!

Danalana replied: Thanks ladies...I appreciate the encouragement!

Bamamom replied: I have flat nipples but they perk right up once the baby starts to root around - so I would suggest trying it without the shield first and see if you can make it work.

Also - my best breastfeeding advice here - start using Lanolin NOW. I'm serious. Everyday, twice a day. It conditions your nipples so they aren't so sore and don't crack. I did this for about 10 weeks before each of my kids and have never had a crack. I was a little sore when I first had Tripp but it wasn't unbearable and was hardly sore at all with Katie.

Alot of it is just being determined and it sounds like you are. Just remember we're here if you need us!

Danalana replied: Okay, as far as the lanolin goes...do I just get some kind of lotion or cream that has lanolin in it? Or can you buy straight-up lanolin?

luvmykids replied:
Same here...there is a cream you can buy, I think it's calle Lansonil or something? Target has it in the baby section, by the bottles, nursing pads, and that kind of thing.

MotherForever2043 replied: I don't have flat nipples, but I breastfed with all lthree of my kids. I just thought that it would help me bond more with them, and it has more nutrients for the baby then anything in the stores.

Bamamom replied: I used the kind in the purple tube/box. It was by the breastfeeding supplies in Walmart and Toyrus. I know Medela makes some called Pure-Lin. All of them are 100% Lanolin I think. Just buy one tube - the stuff last forever. Just rub in a little - like the size of a large pea, on each nipple. You might want to wear some nursing pads if you wear expensive bras, cause it will stain the inside of your bra.

But it is so totally worth it - really and truly I think it made a huge difference in my nursing experience. I heard all the horror stories about cracked and bleeding nipples and was freaked out - mine were never even chapped. Don't forget to take it to the hospital and use it after each time you nurse for the first several weeks. You don't have to wipe it off to nurse - it is totally harmless to the little one.

HTH!!!!