Learn to play with a thumb pick which wraps round your thumb and protrudes at a right angle to your thumb.
I learned with my fingernails and regret it everytime my thumbnail breaks , or is not long enough / worn and I can't get a little purchase on the base strings with it.
Having learned to play without picks ,it is a different angle of playing and unfortunately I cannot managed the change in technique after these many years, although Alaska picks almost solved the problem , but alas not completely.