Breastfeeding and Nipple Size

**aj2sheds** · 02-05-2011 04:13 PM

I'm not pregnant at the moment and don't plan to be for the time being, but this is something I've been curious about for a long time so I figured I'd ask. This is mostly directed to those of you who have breastfed your babies - have you ever had issues with it because of small nipples? Although my breasts themselves are quite large, the nipples themselves are very small - about the size of a pea or a little less when fully erect. I've heard so many stories about breastfeeding trouble for a variety of reason, and I'm a little worried that when I do have a baby, he/she might have trouble latching or sucking just because they're so tiny.

Has anybody had any experience with this (or hopefully can refute it

)?

**Little.Chuck** · 02-05-2011 04:54 PM

Maybe you could look on a parenting website as well as here? There are lots around, try netmums.

**WildChild** · 02-05-2011 05:00 PM

Why not check with LeLeche League? They are the experts.

**aj2sheds** · 02-05-2011 05:18 PM

Thanks! I will check those out

Like I said, this isn't an immediate concern, but I've just always wondered about it.

**GlossyT** · 02-22-2011 12:17 AM

I have fairly small nipples and Im still BF'ing my 18month old. I think if someone was going to have trouble with breastfeeding due to small nipples, or many other reasons for that matter, the outcome I've found is largely due to how hard the mom wants to keep trying for the sake of their baby/how important it is to them. There are so many moms out there that quit or suppliment with formula because of lack of knowledge that is their responsibility to educate themselves on. This isnt a slam on any mom out there, its always the moms free will to make the decisions they make. But I personally feel you can blame ignorance only so much.
That being said, *link removed*has great info and has helped me in so many ways during my BF'ing journey. And it has been wonderful!

**WildChild** · 02-22-2011 12:56 AM

Your breasts get larger during pregancy and so do your nipples. I am fairly small busted and nursed both of my children for more than 3 years each. For a while I was nursing both at the same time. A dear friend who is very large busted had a child at almost the same time as I had one of mine. She had inverted nipples and try as she might, she was unable to nurse successfully.

Breast size and nipple size have nothing to do with it. I always had plenty of milk and experienced no difficulites with it.

**GlossyT** · 02-22-2011 01:00 AM

Oops, sorry bout the link. Is there a way I can share the website without typing the the address?

**WildChild** · 02-22-2011 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by GlossyT

Oops, sorry bout the link. Is there a way I can share the website without typing the the address?

Just give the name of it without any com or anything. We won't allow that if it is selling something but if its informational its usually acceptable.

**GlossyT** · 02-22-2011 08:49 AM

Oh ok. Well google Kellymom if your interested then.
Thanks

**aj2sheds** · 02-27-2011 09:43 AM

Thanks so much for all of your replies. I know that my breasts should get bigger when I lactate, but I wasn't sure about the nipples themselves. I've never seen a woman with nipples as small as mine, but they aren't inverted so at least that's good. I would very much like to breastfeed if at all possible; the health benefits aside, my mom always talks about how much easier it was on a simply logistical basis - the family was driving somewhere when I was a baby and got caught in the car in a snowstorm on the highway for several hours, and she didn't have to worry about heating formula or anything like that because the supply was right there. So I'm hoping I'll be able to do the same. Thanks for all the info!