I have a girlfriend who just had a baby last week and she is having a hard time with breastfeeding. Apparently she has flat nipples and the baby gets frustrated (and so does she) when it comes to feeding time. She is pumping but not getting enough for him to eat probably from stress and exhaustion. She is supplementing with formula but wants to breastfeed exclusively. What can i tell her to help?
I went and saw her and baby today. She already had the nipple shields (I asked her about it) and it looks like they are finally getting the hang of things! Thank you all for your responses and experiences!
Hi
There are these little things called "nipple shields" that you can get a Target, baby store, etc. They suction the nipple out. She would wear them before, during and after nursing.
Good luck
You know what, I was in worse situation when I had my son last year. I had an "inverted" nipple and the first time my son latched, it was soooo painful! A day later my nipple was all cracked and scabby. It was the most painful thing I have had in my life! I would just curl my toes in pain for the first 48 hours. A week later, me and my baby learned to adjust positions, latching, and those creams that they use to relieve the dryness in my nipples. Pumping didn't work for me because it is so much work! She just need to have more patience and keep trying! Good luck.
I had the same problem. The best thing to do is to stay calm. I remember the more frustrated I would get, the more the baby would sense that and wouldn't latch on. I also kind of pinched my nipple and started at his nose, veering it down towards his mouth until he latched on. Sorry..kind of hard to describe.
Tell your friend to not give up..it gets so much easier. My son is 9 months old and never even took a bottle. We had to supplement him at first with a syringe full of pumped milk, but now he's a pro.
Good luck.
I was told the exact same thing with my 15 month old son and 3 1/2 month old daughter. I unfortunately gave up with my son but was determined to not miss out with my daughter. I finger fed for 10 days and then used the breastflow bottle for a few days before meeting Eve at Milkmade at Home off 3rd ave in Hillcrest. She was my lifesaviour. She gave me a smaller size nipple shield (I believe 20mm) as well as a special needs bottle which teachs the child to suck in order to eat. With this bottle and the smaller nipple shield(you cannot buy this size shield in the store or at Mary Birch boutique)she latched on within days. Within a week she was latching on to just me. The smaller nipple shield made it possible for my daughter to recognize a "nipple" and while she sucked it pulled my nipple out inside so that she could then recognize my own. She is now 3 1/2 months old and eating very well. She was in the 90th percentile for weight at her two month check up. Tell your friend not to give up. It is more than worth the effort and frustration.
I had inverted nipples and could not breastfeed my first child without using these rubber nipple covers that go over your nipples. The baby attached to the rubber nipple which pulled out my own nipple, within a week of using those rubber covers I was able to breastfeed without the covers. Your friend should be able to find them through her pediatrician. I got mine at the hospital from the lactation nurse that showed me how to breastfeed after I delivered my first baby...he is now 16yr!! wow, time has gone by so fast..
After five yrs I had two more little girls and breastfed them with no cover nipple and all was fine!
