Nursing With Inverted Nipples

Breastfeeding with inverted nipples is possible, but it can be challenging. The good news is that there are some things you can do before your baby arrives to increase your chances of success. In addition, there are also ways to get help if you’re having problems breastfeeding with inverted nipples after the baby has been born.

The Basics

What is an inverted nipple?

An inverted nipple is a condition in which the nipple retracts into the breast skin and cannot be seen or felt. This can cause breastfeeding problems and other issues that may be embarrassing to discuss, but it’s important to have the right information so you can get the treatment you need.

What causes inverted nipples?

The cause of inverted nipples varies from person to person. It could have something to do with your genes, or it could be related to changes that happen during puberty and pregnancy. Inverted nipples are more common in women who’ve had breast surgery such as breast augmentation or reduction (if they had implants), as well as those who’ve gone through menopause (perimenopause). Some medicines like birth control pills and antidepressants can also cause this condition too!

Is It Common?

Not to worry. The percentage of women who have inverted nipples is actually quite high: as many as 20-25 percent of women are born with inverted or flat nipples, while another 10 percent develop inverted nipples during puberty.

Inverted nipples are not considered a medical condition, so you don’t need to worry about your health when it comes to this issue. Inverted or flat (i.e., not protuberant) nipples are generally considered normal and can be associated with other traits such as having an extra crease in the fold under your arm (commonly called “banana arms”), being tall or short, having a larger than average head size (head circumference) at birth, or even having a big nose!

Inverted/flat/non-protuberant breasts can cause some concern within our society because they’re often perceived as unattractive and may make you feel self-conscious about being naked in front of others. However, there are lots of ways for women with these types of breasts to feel more confident about their bodies: try wearing clothes that show off other parts of your body instead; use high-quality makeup products which enhance the appearance of all womanly curves; use hair extensions if needed; have plastic surgery performed on them if desired (surgery usually involves one incision across each nipple).

Causes of Inverted Nipples

Inverted nipples are a common problem for nursing mothers. Some women may be born with inverted nipples, but others can develop this condition over time.

If you have difficulty using the standard breastfeeding technique, there are other options that you can use to breastfeed your child comfortably and successfully.

This can make it easier for the baby to latch on correctly, encouraging a strong sucking pattern that is important in helping your milk to flow.

Types of Inverted Nipples

There are three types of inverted nipples:

• Flat or Incompletely Inverted Nipples: the nipple and areola are flat and appear to be sunken in.
• Partially Inverted Nipples: the nipple is partially turned inward (about halfway), but still visible at all times.
• Completely Inverted Nipples: the entire nipple is hidden within the areola, with no portion of it visible at any time.

The Implications of Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples

A common question among new mothers is whether their inverted nipples will affect breastfeeding. The answer is that it depends on the severity of the inversion, but even if you have completely flat nipples, there are still some things you can do to help make feeding your baby easier.

First and foremost, talk with your doctor or a lactation consultant who can work with both of you in trying to find a comfortable position for you and your baby while breastfeeding. Even if you’re using a nipple shield (described below), it’s important that both of you learn how to position so he gets as much milk as possible without causing pain or discomfort for either one of you. It may seem obvious, but remember: spoon-feeding him while lying down on his side isn’t going to work!

Second, consider purchasing an instructional DVD or video online—there are plenty available at reasonable prices (under $20) which will show how best practices should go when feeding infants with inverted nipples. Remember: practice makes perfect!

Will an Inverted Nipple Affect My Baby’s Ability to Feed?

Yes, it can be a problem. However, it is not the end of the world and there are many ways to work around an inverted nipple.

The most common method for working around an inverted nipple is for you or your child’s caretaker to use a supplemental feeding device or supplementer that allows your baby to breastfeed without sucking (this includes babies who have access to skin-to-skin contact but cannot latch on). This type of feeding device has holes in it that allow air into the bottle while they are breastfed; this ensures that they will get their full nutritional needs met while also allowing them access to their mother’s milk supply through her breast tissue.

How Can I Prepare for Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples?

The first thing you can do to prepare for breastfeeding with inverted nipples is seek help from a lactation consultant. You can also try to get your nipples erect before breastfeeding by using a breast pump or a nipple cream.

If you are planning on using a nipple shield, remember that it may not be possible for the baby to latch on without it due to the shape and size of the opening. While some women have success using nipple shields, others find them uncomfortable and difficult to wear while feeding or pumping. If you decide that you want to use one anyway, make sure that it fits properly and isn’t causing any pain or damage before doing so. Some mothers find it helpful if they remove their bras while attempting this technique so there is less compression around their breasts, which may cause more discomfort than usual when trying something like this out already

You can still breastfeed with inverted nipples if you get help and support.

No matter how many times you’ve heard the story of a mother who breastfed her child without ever having seen her nipple, it can be hard to believe that this is possible. As we discussed in the previous section, inverted nipples are usually caused by low estrogen levels. The good news is that if you have inverted nipples but still want to breastfeed your baby, there’s no reason why you can’t do so! You just need to be prepared for some challenges along the way.

First of all, you’ll need help and support. Your partner should know what he or she is doing when it comes to supporting your baby as they latch on—and not just on an instinctual level: he or she should have received proper training in infant breastfeeding techniques (if they haven’t already). In addition, you may need additional assistance when it comes time for bottle feeding: most bottles will spill out if held upside down because their design doesn’t account for gravity pulling liquid out instead of sucking liquid in (as with a baby’s mouth). A lactation consultant or other expert can help with this issue as well; ask around until someone recommends someone else who might be able to assist before attempting anything yourself!

As you can see, breastfeeding with inverted nipples is possible. If you have this condition, you don’t need to worry—you can still breastfeed your child and give them the best start in life. The most important thing is to get help as soon as possible so that you don’t miss out on any crucial information about how to feed your baby with inverted nipples.