help with breastfeeding!

Ok so my cousin had her baby girl on Friday by c-section I was at her house for hours last night trying to help her! I had never had a problem breastfeeding either of my children.... But the baby just wont latch on. Her nipple is flat and her breast are swollen and full so its been hard for her. I tried to teach her what I knew about releiveing the breast to make it easier but if any of you can help it would be great! I am going with her husband tonight to buy a breast pump so she can atleast give the baby that. But we could appreciate any advice or tricks you may have....
Thank you!

[luvmy2girls]

This might sound odd but my sister had to express her milk into her sons mouth first to one: get the nipple in a shape he could latch and two: so he knew that was where the milk was.  It worked for her but don't know from personal experience since my girls latched on right away. Good luck!

[loismwallace]

I don't have that problem, my nipples are too BIG.....I have to pump for that reason, but I have read about these pad looking things that help to pop em up or something...Probably doesn't help, but maybe you can do a search for it....

[loismwallace]

Ok, I did a search and if you go to http://www.medela.com/ and search their page for inverted nipples, it will give you a list of products that help....Good luck!

[adawning4]

Thank you ladies! I will check out that site now I just hope she dont get discouraged before her hubby gets home!!!!
Thank you

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I have flat nipples also but I have nursed all 5 of mine.  What you do is tell her to put her index finger where her nipple starts (where the areola is) and her middle finger under her nipple (where her areola ends).  This will help her to make the nipple shape for the baby.  So it will look like she is using her fingers like scissors.  LOL!  It's kind of hard to explain but did that make sense?  She will do the scissor imitation around the entire nipple including the areola.  If she gives the baby a bottle too early, she could possible cause nipple confusion and that can cause the baby to have a hard time breastfeeding.  The baby could prefer the bottle because they don't have to work for it that way.  Breastfeeding is a little bit of work for the little one.  I hope I helped some!!  Tell her, best of luck!  I really enjoy nursing.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I had that problem with my right breast....the nipple is inverted and when the breast is full it makes it extremely difficult to get the nipple out.  They have these nipple cups that are made to help draw the nipple out.  Check that medela website or look for them when your out getting the breast pump.  They are rounded on one side and flat on the other with a hole in the flat side...that's the part you put against the breast.  You just wear them in your bra until feeding time.  They usually come with a sponge to absorb any leaked breast milk.  If your cousin has a well established milk supply, she can probably pump some before feeding to relieve the breast enough to get the nipple out and then feed the baby...then she can store the expressed milk for use later if necessary.