so i did the the nipple test and it doesn't protrude or pull inward. so does that mean it's flat?
i've seen pictures where the little one elongates the nipple like an inch or so - kinda gross but i think that's the goal, right?
can you tell i'm getting more and more nervous about breastfeeding?
http://www.babycenter.com/0_are-your-nipples-flat-or-inverted_8789.bc
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I started reading a breastfeeding book and got to the part about the nipple test and it freaked me out (my husband too when I asked him to help examine). I ended up actually having some random nightmare that night and I decided that was the end of my research on breastfeeding.
Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Ask to see the lactation consultant at the hospital and she will know best about the latch and if you need a nipple shield (sometimes you need one even if you don't have a flat nipple). They are just little plastic covers that are pretty cheap and easy to use.
Point of the post, don't stress about breastfeeding. I would read over KellyMom.com for some information if you have some time.
honeydew / 7968 posts
@Thehistoryofus: thanks!! will do. now that i'm only like 2 weeks and 2 days away from my c-sec, i'm getting so nervous because honestly, i've been procrastinating and now, the time is almost here and i'm so unprepared.
clementine / 958 posts
@tequiero21: try not too worry too much - you're more ready than you think you are 
I have flat nipples and didn't know it ahead of time. One of my nurses helped identify the problem while I was at the hospital. I worked with one of the hospital lactation consultants and started using a nipple shield, which helped a lot.
apricot / 358 posts
oh no, something else to worry about! i thought i was in the clear, but i just tried the test and now i'm not so sure...
honeydew / 7968 posts
@ustechie: haha i know! how in the world have millions of women gone through this!
coconut / 8234 posts
@tequiero21: My midwife told me I had flat nipples during an exam. It kind of rocked my world. Flat nipples? ME? I said, "But, but, they're like diamond cutters when I'm cold!" 
I went online after that appointment and did the pinch test--same thing happened to me, they didn't protrude or invert. I also talked to the lactation consultant at my breastfeeding class and she recommended these: http://supplecups.com/.
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
I didn't even know I had flat nipples until they told me after I gave birth and was getting ready to breastfeed. It wasn't an issue though, and if it is you could always use a nipple shield.
honeydew / 7968 posts
@mrsjazz: yea, it definitely doesn't LOOK flat, but i failed the test so....i guess i have flat nipples then!
@artbee: my concern is that if it's flat, i should buy some shields.... i wonder if the hospital gives you some to keep.
grapefruit / 4049 posts
my hospital had nipple shields... Yes, you keep them afterwards! Had to ask for them. If I were you, ask for or buy Medela Therashells first. These help them to protrude. They also help with soreness because they keep you open to air. Nipple shields are good, but don't use unless you have latching problems for sure. Some babies become dependent in the shield and it's just more trouble in the long run sometimes.
You place therashells in your bra in between feedings. I had trouble bf'ing my first DD because of flat nipples due to lumpectomies I had years ago. When I bf'ed my 2nd DD, I used these and she latched on much easier. still nursing without any formula at 8 months and counting
grapefruit / 4056 posts
If you are concerned about having flat nipples, I would recommend going out and buying soft shells/therashells right now and starting to wear them during the day for the next 2 weeks until your babies are born. If you start ahead of time it will really help to make your nipples protrude more before the babies are born. If you wait until you deliver you are fighting an uphill battle, you want to be proactive with this. I have flat nipples as well (I am an NICU nurse working on my LC cert.), and I have bought my shells to start wearing in the next few weeks (I am 32 weeks now, and will start at about 35 weeks I think).
grapefruit / 4049 posts
also, hope not to confuse you more, but there are soft shells and therashells. Soft shells help with soreness while therashells help with flat nipples and soreness. That's because therashells have extra backings with a smaller hole that helps your nipple to protrude when it's time to feed. The large hole backings are for soreness only.
honeydew / 7968 posts
@MsMini: @NYCaliMama: thanks, ladies, good to know! i'm a major procrastinator and yet, i like to be prepared - how does that go hand in hand lol.
grapefruit / 4056 posts
@NYCaliMama: It actually depends on the brand as well (actually also Medella is bad for marketing about 4 different versions under one name). Some brands shells are small hole only, some come with 2 different soft backings (one big, one small), and some come with big holes only, and they all use the same/similar names. I know we have to quadruple check the description of the product in every order we make in our hospital, because we will only bring in the ones for flat/inverted nipples and not for soreness, and both names are used for the products.
grapefruit / 4049 posts
@tequiero21: I guess to make it simpler, just be sure the shells you get say they are for flat/inverted nipples. They'll come with large and small hole options. The smaller holes will help your nipples to protrude more.
Good luck! You're in the home stretch... I'm a procrastinator too so I understand, but it sounds like you're on top of things!
pomegranate / 3388 posts
Hmm... something else to worry about. My nipples stick out normally, but when I do the pinch test they don't seem to protrude any more. So I guess they're flat? Ugh...
honeydew / 7968 posts
@skibobrown: yeah, the dr. sears page i read stated that if it doesn't protrude or invert, then it's flat. =(
apricot / 358 posts
@tequiero21: have you come across the Hoffman technique? i've been trying to do that, hoping it'll help a little. because i should be due any day now, i'm just holding off until i can see a lactation consultant in the hospital.
honeydew / 7968 posts
@ustechie: will have to look into that, thanks! hope 2 weeks is enough haha.
persimmon / 1329 posts
one of my nipples is inverted and it's been such a pain for my LO to latch. i ordered the medela soft silicone breast shell and it's made a world of a difference!
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