https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:51:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-942394 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 14:20:05 +0000 runsyellowlites 942394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have flat nipples &amp; we never had latch issues due to them (we did have many other issues but it was due to tongue tie &amp; protein intolerances). We've successfully breastfed for 15 months &amp; never used a nipple shield. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-942370 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 14:16:16 +0000 chocolatemama 942370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much for sharing your stories and advice ladies! You have no idea how encouraging this is to me. Thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-942075 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:13:32 +0000 heartonastring 942075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have flat nipples and have been successfully EBFing since DD was born (she's 12 weeks now). Never used a shield or anything else - her latch alone was enough to draw them out. </p> <p>I think that this likely contributed to the injuries I sustained at the beginning (met with three LCs, all of whom said DD had a good, deep latch), and while those were hard to get through, we soldiered on and BFing is pretty easy nowadays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-942028 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:05:32 +0000 mrsjyw 942028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i have a flat nipple! Like mamamoose, ds will be 8 months old this wk and he's only been on formula one day when i was waiting for my milk to come in! we used a nipple shield on the flat one for a week or so, and it's not flat anymore! :P </p> <p>i've had a really easy bfing journey and i came from a family of women who weren't able/didn't bf. </p> <p>GOOD luck to you!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-942021 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:03:51 +0000 DillonLion 942021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have flat nipples. We had trouble with latch in the early days. But over time, the connective tissue breaks down and your nipples actually get bigger, allowing baby to latch easier! At least, that is definitely what I've read and exactly what happened to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-942017 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:02:57 +0000 MamaMoose 942017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chocolatemama: I have flat nipples and my LO is almost 8 months old and has never had a drop of formula in her life! We needed to use a nipple shield for a while and yes it can be an inconvenience but it really didn't bother me a bit. It allowed me to breastfeed my baby and that was what was important to me. I tried to wean her a few times and she wasn't having it. Then all of a sudden one day when she was 4 months old she pulled the shield off herself, latched on, and never used it again. I had some guidance from the hospital LC's and I never needed anything more than that. </p> <p>I also REALLY stressed out about this issue while pregnant and it turned out to not be a big deal at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-941998 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 12:58:30 +0000 Bookish 941998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chocolatemama: I've got a two week old and flat nipples, and my experience has been good so far!! I've had to use shields, which can new a nuisance to clean and keep on, but they have allowed me to feed her on demand with no problem. I started trying to wean her off of them by wearing breast shells, but LO also has a tongue tie, so I think I'm stuck with them. </p> <p>Definitely meet with an LC to see if they have suggestions, but don't worry! It's totally possible to have a great bf-ing experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-941902 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 12:36:04 +0000 hilsy85 941902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meeting with an IBLC will be your best bet once baby gets here! It might even be good to search out the name/# of one in your area. </p> <p>That being said, many mamas have successfully breastfed with flat nipples. Things like nipple shields, shells, and pumping prior to nursing can help pull the nipple out and make it easier for baby to latch. </p> <p>Breastfeeding can definitely be challenging, but I honestly think that a huge part of success is the effort that is put into it (not all of course, some circumstances are outside of your control). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-941879 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 12:28:53 +0000 Adira 941879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you meet with a lactation consultant prior to giving birth to get some advice? A shield might also help in the beginning with latch issues. I don't have a ton of advice though because I don't have flat nipples. But I'm SURE someone else can help you! And a lactation consultant will definitely be able to give you some tips! Best of luck to you!! &lt;3</p> <p>Oh, and congratulations on your pregnancy!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adviceencouragement-for-breastfeeding-with-flat-nipples#post-941871 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 12:26:52 +0000 chocolatemama 941871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone! I am a long-time lurker finally coming out of the shadows because I am in desperate need of some advice and encouragement today.</p> <p>My first baby is due in October and breastfeeding her is extremely important to me. I will do whatever I possibly can to make it happen. However, I'm starting to get very worried and discouraged about it because I have flat nipples and I know this can make getting started a lot harder.</p> <p>I haven't been able to find much by way of other mom's personal experiences with this online and am really hoping some of you here might be able to tell me your stories of dealing with flat nipples. </p> <p>Honestly, I am pretty discouraged and scared about the whole idea of breastfeeding right now because I can't seem to avoid stories of people's very negative and awful breastfeeding experiences. I know there have to be just as many, if not many many more, moms who have had good experiences but the articles/blogs seem to emphasize only the bad experiences. Any breastfeeding encouragement or advice would be welcomed! </p> <p>Thanks for taking the time to encourage this hormonal pregnant lady. :) </p>