Breastfeeding with inverted nipple

• April 25, 2024

According to the World Alliance for Breastfeeding (WABA, for its acronym in English), about 10% of women have the nipples flat or inverted . Fortunately, this condition, which was previously perceived as a problem for millions of women who wanted to breastfeed their children, already has a solution. For WABA experts, inverted nipples are determined by squeezing the areola between the index and thumb fingers: a flat or normal nipple exits outward, the inverted nipple retracts. Some nipples change just after childbirth , so flat nipples can end up coming out during breastfeeding.

Recommendations of an expert

For Marta Lasanta, of the Association La Buena Leche (Cantabria, Spain), with an inverted nipple, as with a flat nipple, "it is possible to breastfeed, since the nipples do not play a fundamental role in the operation of the breast, but it is the milking (with the tongue of the infant) of a good piece of the areola which makes the milk extract ". However, the expert points out, it is necessary to more help and patience at the beginning of lactation than with a normal nipple. "Inverted nipples at rest do not change their position, but they can be reversed with the hand or by the suction of the baby. Apparently, the degree of investment of the nipple and the suction force of the child determine if breastfeeding is possible, so there is no fixed rule to predict whether a woman with this characteristic will be able to breastfeed or not, "says Lasanta.

Recommendations for breastfeeding
Both La Buena Leche, Lactaria and the IBFAN network (International Baby Food Action Network) do not have to worry too much during pregnancy, it is good to stay informed and trust that when the time comes to breastfeed, the mother will know how to do it correctly. For organizations supporting breastfeeding, women with inverted nipple should consider the following tips:

• Start with breastfeeding immediately after delivery and start breastfeeding the inverted nipple (assuming it is only one)


• Do not offer pacifiers or bottles with serum or formula


• Avoid the use of liners; The specialists say that it is not very clear if the use of liners are beneficial for a good seal of the child's mouth to the breast in inverted nipple situations. In any case, it is not wrong to try to apply breast pumps for a few seconds


• Try to have the baby's mouth wide open before catching the areola


• Breastfeed often, between 8 and 12 times a day, to avoid engorgement


• Stimulate the nipple before offering the breast. It may be useful to apply cold so that the nipple comes out.
   

Video Medicine: My Breastfeeding Journey | The Painful Truth of Inverted Nipples | VERONICA LILA (April 2024).