how do u treat inverted nipples?

Answer 1

You haven't said how old you are and it may just be your age - nipples often do not fully develop until the late teens. Sometimes they only develop during pregnancy, but even then they may remain inverted. You can sometimes draw them out by gently pulling them between your finger and thumb every day over several weeks. A device known as a Nipplette can be worn to help pull them out - these are usually available in the breast-feeding section of a pharmacy. If a normal nipple suddenly becomes inverted, seek medical advice to find out why.

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Flat or Inverted Nipples


By Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC

During breastfeeding, the baby draws in nipple, a good portion of the areola, and underlying breast tissue. This drawing in and shaping of the breast can only be done if this tissue is capable of stretching. About 10 percent of first time mothers have nipples that are described as flat or inverted. (Alexander, 1992)


A erect nipple. An inverted nipple.
A flat nipple.


These terms describe the lack of elasticity of the muscle tissue that makes up the nipple. It is impossible to judge how the nipple will function just by looking at it. Mothers or care providers can compress the area just behind the nipple. If the nipple protrudes, it is everted. If it flattens or retreats, telescoping in like a navel, then some babies will have difficulty drawing it up to breastfeed. If a baby is premature, small, weak, or ill, a flat or inverted nipple can be especially challenging. (Neifert, 1996)

The nipple is an important stimulator of sucking behavior in the infant. The reflex that triggers sucking involves stroking the palate. (Woolridge, 1986) Some parents may notice that the baby will suck strongly on a finger, pacifier or bottle nipple, but appear apathetic, disinterested or frustrated by the breast. This may be because the nipple is not elastic or everted enough to reach back to stroke the palate. When this happens the baby doesn’t know what to do next. The baby may bob back and forth and seem unable to “locate” the nipple, may pull away and cry, or may fall asleep each time the breast is offered. Skilled help from an IBCLC and close follow-up from the physician will make it easier to overcome this challenge. Making sure that latch technique is correct is the first and most important intervention to try.

Flat and inverting nipples may become even more difficult for the baby to manage during the engorgement phase, when swollen breasts further reduce the elasticity of the breast tissue. Even normally everting nipples temporarily may flatten if engorgement is severe.

While flat and inverted nipples are rather common – especially in first time mothers – they typically respond and improve over time. Some women will choose to wear breast shells during pregnancy to try to draw out the nipples . After the birth, when the breasts are hormonally primed to undergo dramatic changes, breast pumping can help increase elasticity, and can make initial breastfeeding easier.

Nipple shields are devices that extend the length of the nipple to stimulate the palate, triggering the reflex to suck. Nipple shields can be used to encourage the baby to accept the breast. Direct sucking by the baby through the shield will help pull out the nipples. If you are using a shield, we recommend frequent pumping with a hospital grade double pump during the learning period, to protect milk supply. Pumping and the use of shields usually can be discontinued as the nipple elasticity improves and the baby gains strength and improved breastfeeding technique. This process can take varying lengths of time depending on how severely the nipple tissue is restricted. It is advisable to obtain frequent weight checks during this time to make sure the baby is breastfeeding adequately. Nipple shields are not meant as a substitute for skilled breastfeeding help.
If a mother suspects she may have flat or inverting nipples, or if a previous breastfeeding relationship has been disrupted by this condition, she should seek help from an IBCLC, midwife, or informed health care provider.

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Flat or inverted nipples are fairly common, since anywhere from ten to twenty percent of all women have them. They do not pose any health risk, although they may be troublesome to new mothers attempting to get an infant to latch on to the breast and feed. The easiest way to check whether your nipples are innies or outies is to gently pinch behind one, around the edges of the areola (the dark circle). If the nipple protrudes, it is an outie. However, an inverted nipple will actually retract into the breast.

For these women, most solutions are rather simple. As an added bonus, the cheapest fixes are even free! Inverted nipples are actually connected to the breast tissue underneath them by bands of connective tissue. If these connections can be loosened or broken, the nipple will stand out. Some easy solutions to try include coaxing the nipple out with ice or stimulation. Gently rolling the nipple may do the trick. For pregnant women who need to correct nipples for breastfeeding, breast shells may be found in either maternity shops or in the hospital maternity ward. Worn inside the bra, breast shells consist of a small plastic disc with a hole in the center, which allows the nipple to protrude. The disc is then covered by a dome to allow air to circulate. The shell exerts some pressure, encouraging the nipple to stand outward.

Beyond breastfeeding, since there is no medical evidence that inverted nipples are harmful, women who dislike them face a largely cosmetic problem. If the solutions above don't work, she does have the option of plastic surgery. Several different procedures can be used to correct inverted nipples, and most are geared towards keeping sensation and ability to breastfeed intact. With all the routes surgery can take, a woman should thoroughly explore her options and discuss her goals clearly and thoroughly with a surgeon before she undergoes any procedure.

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Description

Inverted nipples can cause functional problems for women and emotional concerns. An inverted nipple can look flat or a slit like depression or hole at the normal nipple location. There are different degrees of inverted nipples possible. Correction of inverted nipples depends on the problem.

The Surgical Procedure The objective is to reshape the nipple and areola so that the nipple projects out from the breast, enhancing the appearance of the breast while preserving sensitivity of the nipple. The technique that leaves the milk ducts intact can also help preserve a woman's ability to breastfeed.

When correction of nipple inversion surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there are risks. These include re-inversion, infection, bleeding, skin injury, adverse reaction to anesthesia, noticeable scars, permanent pigment changes, or slightly mismatched nipples. The procedure may also result in noticeable scars, permanent pigment changes in the breast area, or slightly mismatched breasts or nipples. Nipple protrusion with stimulation may change. If nipple inversion recurs or asymmetry is significant, a second procedure may be needed. The temporary effects of inverted nipple surgery include loss of breast sensation or numbness, which may last up to a year.

After the Surgery You will feel some discomfort for a few days after surgery. However, discomfort can be controlled with medications prescribed by Dr. Pousti. In any case, you should arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery and to help you out for a day or two if needed.

You'll be swollen and bruised for a few days.

Resumption of Physical Activities It is important to begin getting back to normal. You'll be encouraged to begin walking around on the day of surgery, and can return to work when you feel well enough--which could be as early as a day or two after surgery. Any stitches will generally be removed about 1 to 2 weeks following the procedure.

Dr. Pousti may advise you to avoid sexual activity for a week or two, and heavy exercise for about three weeks. In general, it will take about a month before you're back to all of your normal activities.

You should also avoid exposing the resulting scars to the sun for at least six months. Sunlight can permanently affect the skin's pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sun block.

Answer 2

Niplette Boots

Answer 3

Ice Cubes

Answer 4

I had a girlfriend who had this problem. I think the doctor has some type of 'Nipple Sucker-Upper Thing-a-ma-jiggy What-cha-ma-callit!' You'll need to speak to one because it's obvious I have no idea what in the 'Heckle and Jeckle' I'm talkin' about. -progress.

Answer 5

Download your favourite tracks to sort out to. If you’ve committed to a half hour session a day then a 30-minute soundtrack of the very upbeat, motivating tunes will retain you pumped up!

Answer 6

Take a long swim in cold water, if it doesn't make 'em pointy and extroverted, take two toothpicks, pull the nipple out and inject a bit of water in it...

Answer 7

Invert the rest of your body to match.
It worked for me.

Answer 8

Avent Nipplette. Get it from boots. Its about £35.00. It should work for you depending on the degree of inversion between about 3-6weeks. You should find it where the baby things and nursing stuff is in boots

Answer 9

keep teasing them till there sore my guess if they are sore they swell out ward and it might learn to stay out one way to do it or put a ring around the nipple pull it out with the ring around the nipple and put a pin through it to hold it out and over time it will train and learn that is the other method I heard of

Answer 10

1

Answer 11

Walk with a co-worker's desk to chat rather than instant messaging.