We include products we call back are useful for our readers. If you lot purchase through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here'south our procedure.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you lot buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here'due south our process.

Nipples 101

Nipples come in all shapes and sizes and not all nipples indicate out away from the breast. Some nipples are flat while others are inverted and pull into the breast. Or, nipples may fall somewhere in betwixt.

The corporeality of fatty in your breast, the length of your milk ducts, and the density of connective tissue beneath your nipples all play a role in whether or not your nipples beetle, lie flat, or are inverted.

The shape of your nipples may also alter during pregnancy. Sometimes, flat nipples push out during pregnancy and the beginning week or and so after the baby is built-in.

It's not uncommon for a woman to worry near breastfeeding with flat nipples. The proficient news is that with a niggling extra fourth dimension and patience, breastfeeding with flat nipples is possible.

Here are 10 tips to assist you lot breastfeed if your nipples are flat or inverted.

i. Test yourself

Many nipples will stiffen and protrude when stimulated. Y'all can check to see if your nipples are truly flat or inverted. If you're able to coax your nipples out, so chances are your baby will be able to, too.

Here'due south how to bank check:

  1. Place your thumb and forefinger on the edges of your areola, which is the dark area around your nipple.
  2. Squeeze gently.
  3. Repeat on your other breast.

If your nipple is truly flat or inverted, it will flatten or retract into your breast instead of pushing out.

two. Use a breast pump

Yous can apply the suction from a breast pump to help draw out a flat or inverted nipple if other methods to stimulate your nipples don't work. This tin can be particularly helpful if you lot have deeply inverted nipples.

There are different types of breast pumps available, including manual and electric breast pumps.

Here are some popular breast pumps you tin can purchase online.

You may likewise be able to become a breast pump through your health insurance. Wellness insurance providers usually want you to purchase the pump through a specific vendor. Choices are usually express, simply often include popular brands. Call your health insurance provider for more information.

3. Other suction devices

There are other suction devices that tin can be used for drawing out inverted nipples. These products are sold nether different names, including nipple extractors or nipple retractors. They're worn under your clothing and work by pulling your nipple into a tiny cup. Overtime, these devices can help loosen nipple tissue.

You can purchase a diversity of suction devices hither.

4. Hand express

Sometimes, if your chest is very engorged with milk, it may feel hard and your nipple may flatten. Hand-expressing a bit of milk tin can soften your breast and so that your baby tin latch on more easily.

Here's how to practise it:

  1. Cup your breast with one manus, with your other mitt make a "C" shape with your pollex and forefinger almost the areola, but not on it.
  2. Clasp gently and release the pressure.
  3. Repeat and try to get a rhythm going without sliding your fingers over the skin.
  4. Drops of liquid should appear simply earlier your milk begins to flow.
  5. Express merely enough to soften your breast.

v. Pull back

Pulling back on your breast tissue may aid when breastfeeding with flat nipples or inverted nipples. Even if the nipple doesn't protrude completely, pulling back on the chest tissue tin aid your baby become a better latch. You exercise this by holding the breast tissue behind the areola and gently pulling back towards your breast.

half-dozen. Try a nipple shield or breast shells

A nipple shield is a flexible, nipple-shaped shield that fits over a mother's flat nipple and areola. It is used equally a temporary assist to encourage latching. The use of nipple shields is somewhat controversial because some evidence has suggested that a nipple shield may reduce the transfer of milk and interfere with consummate breast emptying.

Some experts as well worry that the nipple shield can exist addictive for a baby, causing some babies to prefer it over the mother's chest. Improper positioning too increases the chance of impairment or injury to the breast. Speak to a lactation consultant if you're planning to use a nipple shield.

If yous're considering using nipple shield, you can buy one hither.

Breast shells are plastic shells that are worn over your areola and nipples. They're flat and able to be worn discretely nether your clothes betwixt feedings to assist draw out your nipples. They're also used to protect sore nipples.

See purchasing options for chest shells.

7. Stimulate the nipple

You lot may exist able to coax your nipple out by gently stimulating the nipple yourself. Effort gently rolling your nipple between your thumb and finger or touching your nipple with a common cold, damp cloth.

You can also try the Hoffman technique, which was created to assistance women breastfeed with flat or inverted nipples. A 2017 study establish that the technique effectively improved the nipple type and the quality of breastfeeding.

Here's how to perform the Hoffman technique:

  1. Place your index and pollex on either side of your nipple.
  2. Printing your fingers firmly into the breast tissue.
  3. Gently stretch the areola in each direction.
  4. Repeat five times each morning if you're able to without pain.

You tin can also perform the do with both hands, using both of your thumbs.

viii. Concord your chest

Belongings your breast while feeding can make it easier for your baby to latch on and breastfeed.

Here are two ways that you tin try.

C-hold

The C-hold allows you to control the movement of your breast so that you lot tin easily guide your nipple toward your baby's oral fissure. Information technology also helps flatten your breast for a better fit in your babe'south oral cavity.

To practise it:

  • Create a "C" shape with your hand.
  • Place your manus around your breasts so that your thumb is on elevation of your breast and your fingers are on the lesser.
  • Make sure your thumb and fingers are behind the areola.
  • Gently clasp your fingers and pollex together, pressing your breast like a sandwich.

V-hold

The V-agree uses your forefinger and middle finger to create a scissor-like shape around your areola and nipple.

Here's how you practice it:

  • Identify your nipple between your forefinger and eye finger.
  • Your thumb and forefinger should exist on elevation of your breast and your remaining fingers underneath the breast.
  • Press down gently towards your chest to assistance "squeeze" out the nipple and areola.

9. Check the diaper

You tin can brand sure your baby is getting enough breastmilk by checking the diaper. Your baby should accept frequent wet and dingy diapers. Around the time your milk comes in, your newborn should have half dozen or more than wet diapers each twenty-four hours and three or more stools per mean solar day.

eleven. Surgical options

If natural methods fail to piece of work, surgery may be an pick. There are 2 types of surgery for repairing inverted nipples. I blazon preserves some of the milk ducts so that you lot can breastfeed and the other does not. Speak to your doctor to come across if surgery is correct for you lot.

The takeaway

Breastfeeding with flat nipples is possible, though it can exist difficult for some women. Y'all can try a number of techniques and devices to coax your nipple out or talk with your doctor about surgical options.

In many cases, women with flat nipples will be able to chest feed without an issue. If yous take concerns, consider speaking with a lactation consultant, who can provide in-depth strategies for breastfeeding.