1. Try Hoffman's Maneuver: This is a gentle stretching exercise whereby you pull the skin back and away from the nipple with your fingertips.
2. Wear breast shells (not to be confused with nipple shields). Worn directly on the nipple, shells exert gentle pressure around the nipple encouraging it to stand out, erect and ready to be latched onto by your baby. Shells need to be worn inside your bra, night and day,(or as much as you can tolerate), until the problem is resolved. Shells are also great for sore or tender nipples, as they allow drying of the nipple and keep the pressure of clothing off the nipples.
3. Try gentle nipple rolling prior to latching your baby onto the breast.
4. Pump with an electric pump for a few minutes prior to latching your baby on. An electric pump also serves the dual purpose of increasing and maintaining your milk supply while your baby is learning to latch and may not yet be able to suck effectively on the nipple.
Be patient, and keep trying. The use of supplemental formula at this
time will only serve to lessen your baby's interest in breastfeeding.
(Just the opposite of what you want!) Also, a baby sucks on an
artificial nipple differently than the breast so he may be confused
and actually push your breast out after being fed from the bottle. An
orthodontic nipple (NUK) is shaped most like your nipple when your
baby sucks on it. You'll notice it will take your baby longer to
empty a bottle using a NUK nipple, much like the natural emptying of
your own breast. If supplementation is needed, your pumped breast
milk and an orthodontic nipple are the best choices.
Finally, if your baby is not having 6-8 wet diapers a day and one or
more breastfed stools (consistency of mustard and cottage cheese)
after your milk comes in, please call a lactation consultant or your
pediatrician for help and a weight check for your baby.
Patricia Grant, R.N., C.L.E.
© COPYRIGHT 1995, Bosom Buddies, Inc. Denver, CO 80218