Breastfeeding Question for those who are Inverted

[JoyRenee]

I had a hard time nursing my daughters. First daughter we tried for a couple weeks (eventually had to supplement with formula). Then I pumped for two weeks and gave her the milk in bottles. I decided that I'd stop and just gave her formula. Bawled my eyes out and felt terrible until my hormones calmed down.

Second daughter I lasted 3 months breastfeeding her with a nipple shield. These are a temporary device and not meant to use for long-term nursing. I used them longer than they were intended. I couldn't wean her from it so we ended up going to formula.

NOW I just read an OB Nurse's blog and she mentioned the Avent Niplette. It's this thimble-shaped suction cup that draws your nips out and makes flat/inverted nips "regular" nips and makes it much easier for breastfeeding!

It is a new product so I haven't found any reviews yet. Has anyone else heard of this? I'm seriously thinking about getting a set. I trust Avent- I've used their products for the past five years.

Here is what Avent had to say about their product:


The Avent Niplette is a non-invasive device developed for the permanent correction of flat or inverted nipples. The kit contains 2 thimble shaped molds with valve components, two plastic syringes to be used as a suction device to treat both nipples. The Avent Niplette is worn for eight hours a day and keeps constant suction on the nipple to keep it protruded. This device is the most aggressive treatment available for flat or inverted nipples, and is much more effective than Breast Shells for inverted nipples. (May be used through the seventh month of pregnancy under the consultation of your doctor.)

It can't be used for permanent correction while lactating because the milk produced during lactation will nullify the seal and effectiveness of the Avent Niplette, but it can be used for a few minutes before latching the baby on to help draw out the nipple. If you are currently pregnant, please inform your obstetrician that you are using the device. The use of the Niplette should not exceed three months, unless after that time, it is only used occasionally to keep the results.

[spade22]

Joy - I dont know the answer to this but did you ever consult w/ a lactation consultant in the past?  When I went to a BF course the lactation consultant said that nursing w/ an inverted nipple would not be a problem as there any several things/techniques that can be used to erect the nipple.

You could also try posting this in the breast feeding community.  Tiredbuthappy and AndiJ usually have excellent advice.

[JoyRenee]

Thanks spade! I'm interested in trying the product because I've tried shields and cups and all the other devices. None of them worked. I contacted Avent to ask more questions and am waiting to hear back.

I'll definitely see if anyone in the Breastfeeding Forum has used this.

I guess I didn't even post my question above (DOH)! I want to know if anyone else has tried this product and what they think!

[spade22]

I typically post BF questions in that forum AND in another forum too because the BF forum doesnt  get as much  traffic as some of the other forums.

I have been nursing Jazmine for close to 10 months now (and pump while at work).  There are so many things about BF that I love and Im glad I have been able to stick with it this long.  I really hope you find a product that allows you to nurse for as long as you want to.

[amy0013]

Hey Joy - Just wanted to say that I have your same problem.  I used the shields way longer than I was supposed to also!!!  I am curious to hear your thoughts about this Avent thing!!  I'm about a month behind you in this pregnancy...so you can test them out and let me know what you think!  ;)

[sweetangel7]

This sounds stupid...would I know if I had inverted/flat nipples?  Sometimes they look flatter/not 'erect'...usually when I'm warm.  I never even thought about my nipples when thinking about breast feeding (well, I obviously understand how it works lol but I just never thought about nipple size/shape etc.)

[JoyRenee]

spade- I hope I'm able to find something, too. I just felt like such a failure when I wasn't able to breastfeed as *long as I wanted*. I don't think bottle-feeding is bad at all. It just wasn't my ideal.

amy- I'm glad to hear someone is in the same boat as me. I'll definitely post a follow-up here if I'm able to get a set. I used those shields for three months and I just couldn't handle it anymore. I was afraid of damaging my nipples.

sweetangel- You can be flat/inverted but when you're cold they'll still stand out a bit (at least mine do). To know if yours are inverted, pinch the aerola around the nipple. An inverted nipple will flatten or cave in on itself whereas a normal nipple will stick out more. A flat nipple doesn't stand out much at all and will stay flat when you pinch the aerola at the base of your nipple.

[leighanne143]

hey joy, i would talk to your doctor about it.  i agree with spade, have you met with the lactation specialists?  there is a community the leche something, i will look it up, they usually have great info.

[JoyRenee]

La Leche League- yes I've spoken to them before.

I have an appt. with my doctor next Friday and I'm going to ask what he thinks too! Thanks!

[Yazzay]

I have inverted nipples also and I'm concerned about my ability to breastfeed when I get pregnant, so this product sounds promising.  I looked around and come across these reviews: http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews63034.html

[leighanne143]

thats it joy, i could not remember the la and league, just leche.

i tried just pumping and did it for 5 weeks and then kind of gave up cause i was not as consistent as i needed to be.

[sweetangel7]

Thanks...I think I passed the test lol

Good luck with your new find!

[JoyRenee]

Ugh okay so now I think I got flat and inverted confused. Mine stick out a little (sorry, probably way TMI and like anyone cares) so maybe mine are flat. Regardless nursing was a pain in the tush and I'm hoping this product helps.

If I get a set I'll let you guys know how it goes! Of course, it'll be months from now since I'm not due until Oct.

[worriedbabe]

i suspect they'll be pretty good joy. avent are a good brand.

[martikadragoon]

Joy~ Mine are flat. I couldn't nurse properly. I had to pump for a few minutes to get things going and make em pop out. lol, I couldn't use a shield because I couldn't get it to hold.