breastfeeding questions

I know this might be a stupid question but my sister asked me if I've leaked yet.. and i told her no and she brought up that I might not be able to breastfeed. So if you didn't leak during your pregnancy, were you still able to breastfeed?
Also, if you have flat nipples, was breastfeeding a lot harder? Are nipple shields worth it?

omg your sister is wrong lol
not everyone leaks during their pregnancy, I did not, and WOAH nelly, I made enough milk to feed every child on this planet!! most women don't lactate while pregnant.

not a dumb question thought

No truth to that statement at all. I never leaked even after my kids were born and they never had any formula. Both of them were breastfed until 15 months.

Quoting Ashley Rebecca!:" I know this might be a stupid question but my sister asked me if I've leaked yet.. and i told her no ... [snip!] ... were you still able to breastfeed? Also, if you have flat nipples, was breastfeeding a lot harder? Are nipple shields worth it?"

I didn't leak with DD but was able to breastfeed, so that shouldn't be a problem... And I don't know about the flat nipple thing... Mine have gotten huge since I got prego... Almost embarrassing. LOL

Milk usually doesn't come in until after baby is born and you start nursing

I never leaked and breastfed both of my children for over a year. I have one inverted nipple, the lactation consultant helped me a lot with latching on that side, but I never needed a shield. I would get a lot of help from the hospital LC, and don't be afraid to call for help once your home.

I did not leak and was able to breastfeed. She is WRONG! I have bottle nipples..lol So no problem there but with flat nipples you may have to try to get them to stick out like rub them before latching on and you may need nipple shields depending how hard it is to keep them pulled out. With time you may notice they will come out easier so I would just be prepared to work with a lactation consultant.

I leaked with both my pregnancies but am one of the few women who cant make very much milk and have to supplement with formula anyway.

I never leaked in my first pregnancy and I ended up breastfeeding until my daugther was almost 27 months old. so, that theory didn't hold true for me.

I have not leaked this pregnancy either and plan on BF'ing just like I did before.

I never used nipple shields, but knew other mothers in my LLL group that swore by them as lifesavers to be able to BF.

Dont use a shield unless you absolutely HAVE TO. Took me 3 1/2 months to wean my son off of it. I really dont even want one unless super necessary with the next baby.

She's wrong. I never leaked a drop in pregnancy but have been successfully breastfeeding for 9 months and counting.
With flat nipples, baby is likely to bring them out a bit more, but you can try using a pump to bring it out before feeds. Don't use a nipple shield until exhausting other options.

I never leaked with any of my pregnancies, but wasn't able to breast feed because all of my babies were lactose intolerant.   My niece started leaking at around 7 months pregnant and her milk supply only lasted for about 3 months. She had to pump because the baby was in NICU and she didn't even get to hold her until she was 3 weeks old. The baby will be 1 yr old in Nov. and still has a feeding tube.

Quoting I'm me:" I never leaked with any of my pregnancies, but wasn't able to breast feed because all of my babies were ... [snip!] ... and she didn't even get to hold her until she was 3 weeks old. The baby will be 1 yr old in Nov. and still has a feeding tube."

You can still breastfeed if they're LI, you just have to cut out lactose in your diet. I hope your Doctor told you that  

Your milk doesn't come in until after baby is born and starts suckling. You might get a little bit of colostrum coming in earlier, it is the consistency of butter or heavy cream when they drink it but I would find one or two little drops dried in my nipples like yellow wax before she was born.

It IS possible to BF with flat nipples but you will have to work hard to get a good latch. It will probably take a couple weeks, but once baby gets latching well it'll get easier. Some people find the nipple shields help and others don't like them at all so just try it out and see how it works for you and baby. It may be worthwhile to hire a certified lactation consultant if you don't have any experience breastfeeders in your family to help you out. Or check to see if there is a La Leche League chapter near you http://www.llli.org/webus.html thier services are almost always free.