Nipple question-?

Question

this is a completely serious question: What do inverted or flat nipples look like? If your nipples are flat, do they poke out when they are hard? Can you breast feed w/ these kind of nipples?? Are normal nipples just 'out there' all the time? This sounds silly I know, but I have always wondered and I would really like some serious answers, thanx!

Answer 1

Here is a good website about it. Shows how to test yourself for flat or inverted nipples. THey covered this in my breastfeeding basics class. Most of the time it doesn't cause a problem. Best of luck. http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/html/flat_inverted.shtml

Answer 2

Okay, inverted nipples is when the very tip of the nipple faces in. When the nipples are hard, they still poke in but can be pulled to an outward position. Flat nipples are a little more extreme of inverted nipples and when hard the end of the nipple place appears flat or straight across. I had inverted nipples and my son was unable to latch on. For 6 weeks I tried and then switched to the bottle. My second son finally got it and that pulled my nipples out by the constant sucking. I now have pretty much normal nipples.

Answer 3

I'm not sure about inverted or flat nipples, but yes they do poke out when they are hard. Also, when u breast feed sometimes that can help your nipples to poke out a little bit.

Answer 4

Well, mine poke out all the time, but do so more adamantly when they're hard (meaning they're less easily tamed by the pressure of fabric). Since I've been pregnant, they're not actually hard, but more prominent than before.
Women manage to breastfeed with inverted and/or flat nipples all the time. If you're concerned about this for yourself, see a lactation consultant, usually found around the doc's office, or try contacting the La Leche League.

Answer 5

Inverted nipples dent inward. I don't know if they poke out when they are hard because I have normal ones, but I know that you can breastfeed, although women sometimes have to use a plastic shield or something which helps to bring the nipple outward, making it easier for the baby to latch on.

Answer 6

I believe you can breastfeed with flat nipples, but check with the ultimate authority on breastfeeding, La Leche. I checked their website, www.lalecheleague.org and typed "flat nipples" in the search. The first hit asks your exact question...it's at http://www.llli.org/FAQ/flat.html Below is a quote...

"My doctor said I have inverted or flat nipples. Can I still breastfeed my baby?
Remember that babies BREASTfeed, not NIPPLEfeed. As long as baby can take a good portion of the breast into his mouth (baby's mouth and gums should bypass the nipple entirely and latch on to the areola), most types of flat or inverted nipples will not cause problems with breastfeeding. Some types of nipples are more difficult for baby to latch on to at first, but in most cases, careful attention to latch and positioning, along with a little patience, will ensure that baby and mother get off to a good start with breastfeeding."

Good luck!

Answer 7

most nipples poke out all the time but even more so when hard. i could not tell you anything about flat or inverted b/c i don't have them.

Answer 8

The above answers are good but here is a link that may answer your question. I do remember a stripper telling me once that no matter how hard I blew on her inverted nipple it would not poke out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_nipple

Answer 9

Inverted and flat simply dont stick out and they are totally normal. They do stick out when harder and during suction.
You are totally fine breastfeeding. Although a baby might not have the suction power to get them all out, you might need to tug on yours a bit to make sure they are ready for the baby's tiny lil mouth.

Answer 10

u know i have always wondered the same thing... u hear issues of women, who cant or have trouble breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples, but yet ive NEVER seen what they look like!!!