Nipples come in various sizes, shapes, and orientations relative to the breast. While some nipples are flat and pull into the breast, others are inverted. Nipples may also fall somewhere in the middle.
Your nipples’ ability to protrude, lie flat, or invert depends on the quantity of fat in your breast, the length of your milk ducts, and the density of the connective tissue beneath them.
During pregnancy, your nipples’ form may also alter. Flat nipples can occasionally protrude during pregnancy and the first week following delivery.
Women frequently worry about nursing when their nipples are flat. The good news is that breastfeeding with flat nipples is achievable with a little extra time and persistence.
Here are ten suggestions for breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples.
1. Employ a breast pump.
If other techniques to stimulate your nipples are unsuccessful, you can use the suction from a breast pump to aid in drawing out a flat or inverted nipple. This can be especially useful if your nipples are severely inverted.
Breast pumps come in various designs, including manual and motorized ones.
Here are several well-liked breast pumps that you can get online.
Additionally, your health insurance plan might let you purchase a breast pump. Most of the time, health insurance companies insist that you get the pump from a specific supplier. There are typically few options, although they frequently contain well-known brands. For further information, contact your health insurance company.
2. Try it out
When stimulated, many nipples will harden and protrude. You can determine if your nipples are flat or inverted by checking. It’s likely that if you can force your nipples out, your kid will be able to do the same.
As an example, check:
- The black area around your nipple, known as the areola, should be touched with your thumb and forefinger.
- Gently squeeze.
- Repeat on the opposite breast.
- Your nipple will flatten or retract inside your breast instead of sticking out if it is flat or inverted.
3. Using the hand
When your breast is heavily engorged with milk, it might occasionally feel hard and flatten. You can make your breasts softer so your baby can latch on more quickly by hand-expressing a small amount of milk.
This is how you do it:
- With one hand, cup your breast; with the other, form a “C” shape with your thumb and forefinger close to the areola but not on it.
- Release the pressure after a gentle squeeze.
- Try establishing a rhythm while continuing without letting your fingers touch the skin.
- Your milk should start to flow shortly before little drops of liquid appear.
- Just enough to make your breasts softer
4. Step back
If you have flat or inverted nipples and are breastfeeding, pulling back on your breast tissue could be helpful. Pulling back on the breast tissue can improve your baby’s latch, even if the nipple doesn’t fully protrude. You accomplish this by gently tugging back toward your chest while grasping the breast tissue behind the areola.
5. Use breast shells or a nipple shield
Plastic covers for your areola and nipples are known as breast shells. They help to bring out your nipples because they are flat and can be worn covertly underneath your clothing in between feedings. They also serve as a barrier for sore nipples.
A mother’s flat nipple and areola are covered by a flexible, nipple-shaped shield known as a nipple shield. It serves as short-term assistance to promote latching. The usage of nipple shields is somewhat debatable due to specific evidence that suggests they may hinder complete breast emptying and decrease milk transfer.
Experts are also concerned that the nipple shield may become habit-forming for confident kids, making them prefer it to their mother’s breast. Additionally, improper placement raises the chance of breast damage or injury. If you intend to utilize a nipple shield, see a lactation specialist.
6. Enliven the nipple
By gently stimulating your nipple, you might be able to coax it out. You can also try gently massaging your nipple with a cold, damp towel or rolling it between your thumb and finger.
The Hoffman technique was developed to aid women who have flat or inverted nipples in breastfeeding. According to a 2017 study, the method significantly enhanced the nipple type and nursing quality.
How to use the Hoffman approach is as follows:
- Put your thumb and index finger alongside your nipple.
- Put a lot of pressure on the breast tissue with your fingertips.
- Stretch the areola gently in both directions.
- If you can do it without experiencing pain, it repeats five times daily.
- The exercise can alternatively be done using both
7. Lift your breast.
Your infant may latch on and nurse more quickly if you hold your breast while you feed.
Here are two options for you to consider.
C-hold
You may effortlessly direct your nipple toward your baby’s mouth by using the C-hold to regulate the movement of your breast. Additionally, it assists in flattening your breast to improve fit in your baby’s mouth.
To perform:
- Make the shape of a “C” with your hand.
- Put your hand around your breasts with the tips of your fingers on the bottom and your thumb on top.
- Ensure that your fingers and thumb are positioned behind the areola.
- Gently push your breast into a sandwich by gently squeezing your fingers and thumb together.
V-hold
When using the V-hold, your forefinger and middle finger form a scissor-like shape around your areola and nipple.
How to do it is as follows:
- Put your middle and forefinger between your nipple and them.
- Your thumb and forefinger should be over your breast, and the other fingers should be below it.
- To assist in “squeeze” out the nipple and areola, gently press down toward your chest
To perform:
- Make the shape of a “C” with your hand.
- Put your hand around your breasts with the tips of your fingers on the bottom and your thumb on top.
- Ensure that your fingers and thumb are positioned behind the areola.
- Gently push your breast into a sandwich by gently squeezing your fingers and thumb together.
8. Examine the diaper.
By looking at the diaper, you can ensure your baby receives enough breastmilk. The diapers on your infant should be moist and soiled frequently. Your newborn should have six or more wet diapers per day and three or more stools per day by the time your milk comes in.
9. Consult a Physician
Speak to your doctor or seek assistance from a lactation consultant if you’re struggling to breastfeed or find it really painful.
On the website of the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA), residents of the United States can locate an international board-certified lactation consultant. Try the International Lactation Consultant Association if you’re outside of the US.
10. Operational solutions
Surgery might be a possibility if alternative remedies don’t work. There are two surgical procedures available to fix inverted nipples. While breastfeeding is still possible with one type, it is not with the other. If you want to know if surgery is right for you, talk to your doctor.
End Note
It is possible to breastfeed with flat nipples, though it may be challenging for some women. You can discuss surgical options with your doctor or use various methods and tools to coax your nipple.
Breastfeeding often won’t be a problem for ladies with flat nipples. If you have questions, think about talking to a lactation consultant who can give detailed advice about nursing.
