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troutpout
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Topic: breastfeeding & small nipples!! Posted: 05 February 2010 at 5:45pm |
Hi girls
I'm anxiously awaiting my 1st bubs, and wondering about breastfeeding her. I've always been lacking in the boob department (lol), and even though they have got much much bigger, I still have quite small nipples, defnitely much smaller than a teat on a bottle or anything like that.
Just wondering what peoples experiences are, and if this would make any difference when it comes to feeding bubs? I feel like I'm sounding really stupid.... but I can't help but wonder if they will be big enough?
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Kellz
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 5:49pm |
After both babies my nipples have got much bigger, Im sure it will be fine. You can always see a lactation consultant- ask your midwife they can refer u even before u have bubs.
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noodle
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 6:26pm |
My nipples got a bit bigger after my DS was born and with feeding him....but not that much bigger, I still classed them as small and I B'fed him for 12 months with no problems  good luck chick
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kiwisj
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 6:43pm |
My nipples are small (especially compared with my ginormous bosoms lol, but they're small anyway) and they're also a little bit flat/inverted. I found they popped out fine when DS was born and stayed out (unheard of for me!) until about 4 months after I stopped BF. I did need to use nipple shields in the beginning, to help DS to latch, but he was 8wks prem ... not sure he would've needed that bit of extra help if he'd been full term.
I found the hospital lactation consultants really helpful and encouraging. If you think it might stress you out when bubs arrives (obviously you're already wondering about it now) perhaps you could have a chat with your MW now?
Good luck!
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RinTinTin
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 8:00pm |
I have small and flat nipples and I manage to BF just fine. The trick was to train Mac to take more of the breast into his mouth right from the start which is hard for their little mouths but its doable so don't let anyone tell you its not. I also find we have a few issues with him sucking in air as my nipple doesn't sit as far back or as firmly in his mouth so if he relaxes his suck, the nipple moves and when he tries to suck again he slirps in air until he re-establishes a full latch. It just means we have to make sure we burp him really well. Stick at it and go you for wanting to BF!!!!
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WestiesGirl
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 8:06pm |
Yep Im the same. Have always been small in that area and still am (B cup). My breast size only change when my milk came in on day 2 after having Jackson. Since that settled down (about a week later) I went back to normal boob size  Totally do-able with small boobies and nipples
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High9
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 8:33pm |
I'm kinda similar, being small in the boobie department. I've noticed my nipples have got bigger recently (like last couple of weeks), though my boobs have maybe increased only a cup size to a c (yay).
Have you been leaking colostrum? My mw told me it doesn't matter about size, but she said the colostrum was a good sign. I tend to believe that as my gma and mum never leaked and couldn't bf. Although I haven't had bubs yet so can't quite comment on bf myself...
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RinTinTin
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:05pm |
I never leaked colostrum while preggy. I mean if I squeezed my nipples hard enough I might get A droplet, but thats it. I've also never had to use breastpads either. Guess I'm lucky.
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mummyofprinces
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:06pm |
You dont need to leak colostrum to be able to breastfeed
My nipples were small and i wondered how on earth I was supposed to feed him (also flat/slightly inverted) but at 37 weeks -ish my nipples popped out to being slightly flat , my areola seemed to double in size. I also found it took about 2 weeks before my nipples were big enough for jake not suck in air and now they are still not huge like some mummas but he feeds fine! Still loves his booby!
Definately mention it to your midwife (she may want a look, but get used to it LOL soon you will have strange women in the hospital grabbing your boobs!) as she maybe able to get you in touch with a lactation consultant pre birth.
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noodle
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:09pm |
I never leaked either and had a plentyful supply and the MW said it must of been good quality too as R put on between 400 and 500grams a week for about 4 weeks in a row!
Edited by noodle
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High9
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:24pm |
melnel wrote:
You dont need to leak colostrum to be able to breastfeed
My nipples were small and i wondered how on earth I was supposed to feed him (also flat/slightly inverted) but at 37 weeks -ish my nipples popped out to being slightly flat , my areola seemed to double in size.
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Actually thats sorta what I've noticed, they've "popped out" lol
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cuppatea
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 11:06pm |
My nipples are quite small, could be covered with a postage stamp (oh the things I talk about on here!). And I am small cupped, A normally but go up to a B during pregnancy and early months of breastfeeding.
I am still feeding now and baby is nearly 13 months. Booby size and nipple size makes no difference honestly. I had over supply issues both times, what my boobs lack in size they make up for with enthusiasm!
My nipples are also inverted but baby sucks them out...lol. My mw first time around said inverted nipples aren't an issue if they come out with stimulation and I think if you have ones that don't you can buy a device a bit like a breastpump to help bring them out or you can use nipple shields.
And yep some leak colostrum during pregnancy and some don't. It's no indication at all about feeding so if you don't have any colostrum during pregnancy please don't panic.
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High9
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Posted: 05 February 2010 at 11:25pm |
Sorry, I made the comment about leaking colostrum, I know some leak and some don't!! Mine doesn't leak normally, but I can just sqeeze it out.
My mw mentioned it to me so I thought I'd mention it here, it was just a personal experience. Of course everyone is different!!
I'd also got a pamphlet about breast feeding that mentioned the comment about nipple shields helping.
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mummytobesep08
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Posted: 06 February 2010 at 12:09am |
troutpout wrote:
Hi girls
I'm anxiously awaiting my 1st bubs, and wondering about breastfeeding her. I've always been lacking in the boob department (lol), and even though they have got much much bigger, I still have quite small nipples, defnitely much smaller than a teat on a bottle or anything like that.
Just wondering what peoples experiences are, and if this would make any difference when it comes to feeding bubs? I feel like I'm sounding really stupid.... but I can't help but wonder if they will be big enough?  |
Hey there first of all congrats on your pregnancy! what an exciting time
I had the same sort of situation as you (smaller nipples) and you know what it DID make breast-feeding harder as I had a really big baby with this huge mouth and a really high palate roof of mouth) so we didn't really match! It was quite painful. The best thing I found was asking for (lots of!) help from different people- MWs, plunkets nurse, friends, and eventually a lactation consultant. Even the LC doubted if breastfeeding would ever be sucessful for us but I certainly showed them lol and BFed for 7 months.
My advice would be first of all try not to worry just yet! You never know what might happen, you're baby will probably fit your boobs perfectly. And if not there are plenty of people to ask for help. And if it gets too much or is just too painful to carry it on then that's ok too!
Also, you could try nipple stimulation to help de-sensitive them (as often smaller ones are more sensitive) though i think you have to be careful about doing that near the end of your pregnancy as it can be used to stimulate labour
Good luck!
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Bizzy
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Posted: 06 February 2010 at 12:13am |
nipple size will not affect breastfeeding.
i dont have small ones but was always a bit worried before i had my first that he wouldnt be able to get it in his mouth at all!  i think worrying about it is normal too!
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Tigerish
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Posted: 08 February 2010 at 11:01am |
Mine are small but I had no issues after the first few weeks of learning how to breastfeed (I found it really hard!). Your nipples become quite stretchy after feeding for a while which helps! My nipples are much bigger now than before baby, also much perker (as my DH put it!)
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T_Rex
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Posted: 08 February 2010 at 11:20am |
troutpout wrote:
I still have quite small nipples, defnitely much smaller than a teat on a bottle or anything like that.
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Your nipple is meant to be smaller than a teat on a bottle, because the baby will suck not just your nipple but most of the areola and possibly some of the breast into it's mouth. So all of that is about the same size as a bottle teat.
My MW said to me, it's called BREASTfeeding, not NIPPLEfeeding, so make sure bubs has a good mouthful of breast, not just the nipple
That comment made lots of sense to me, and I've been able to establish a really good latch with DD.
My MW also gave me a DVD to watch (in addition to the new MOH one) that was an australian lactation consultant and it was all about getting a good latch. I found it really really good, so maybe talk to your LMC and see if they have something like that? They'll probably give you the new MOH one, but although that had quite a good feel-good factor, it wasn't as instructional, IYKWIM?
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cealz
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Posted: 08 February 2010 at 8:08pm |
Troutpout, its totally doable.
I am the same. Only got a B cup while feeding and I fed Ruby for 10 months and had heaps of milk.
Size doesnt matter hehe
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troutpout
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Posted: 08 February 2010 at 9:57pm |
thanks so much girls for all the advice. me and my little nips are feeling a bit more confident now lol
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