Having flat, inverted, or irregular-shaped nipples may give a new mom concern about breastfeeding her baby, but all is not lost! There are options to consider before you decide not to breastfeed or give up because you are having difficulties. First of all, talk to your obstetrician and baby’s pediatrician about your nipple concerns and ask for their recommendations to help you breastfeed baby. Moreover, talk to a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for options to support your goal to breastfeed baby.
Every mother and baby dyad is different, and so each breastfeeding experience will also be different. Nipples come in many shapes and sizes and not all nipples protrude or stick out. Despite mother’s flat, inverted, or irregular-shaped nipples, some dyads will breastfeed without problems, while others may have difficulties initially, but later work it out with help. Stimulation to the nipples can cause change in shape. For example a mom with what appear to be flat nipples, may stimulate her nipples prior to breastfeeding, and this causes her nipples to change shape and protrude. Baby will most likely have no problem latching onto mom’s breast in this situation.
Another consideration is that the outward appearance of your nipples don’t affect your breasts’ ability to produce milk. In other words, even if you have flat nipples, your breasts are still able to produce milk. Even if not breastfeeding, a mother may pump her breasts and feed her breast milk to baby via bottle or cup. Your doctor or a Lactation Consultant can help you figure it out! Be sure to reach out to both of them for assistance and support from the very start of your breastfeeding journey!
The majority of mothers have a common nipple, which protrudes slightly at rest and becomes erect and more graspable when stimulated. Baby usually latches without difficulty onto a protruding nipple, and is able to pull in a large amount of breast tissue and stretch it to the roof of his mouth, which is essential in efficient milk transfer.
A flat nipple either has a very short or no shank, which makes it harder for baby to find and grasp. Even with stimulation, a true flat nipple usually does not change shape or protrude enough to aid baby in latching, without help of a lactation tool to help draw out the nipple.
An inverted nipple may have varying forms, but the most common type is the retracted nipple. The retracted nipple appears to be graspable, but upon stimulation will retract, making latch difficult. There are breastfeeding techniques and lactation tools to help baby latch onto an inverted nipple. A Lactation Consultant can teach you about options to help baby latch.
Check out this blog article in our “All Things Breastfeeding Momma & Babe” website archive, “Lactation Tools to Help Mom Breastfeed when Problems with Latch” for information about various lactation tools that are available on the market to help with flat, inverted, or irregular-shaped nipple issues. Just like any product, each lactation tool may help some moms but not others. Every option is worth trying though, especially if it results in helping you breastfeed your baby! Most importantly, visit with a Lactation Consultant to recommend which lactation tool would work best for you. The IBCLC will teach you how to use the tool and provide assistance and support as you continue to work on breastfeeding baby.
As mentioned earlier, some babies are able to breastfeed despite mom’s flat, inverted or irregular-shaped nipples, but for others, mom’s irregular nipple may make it harder for baby to properly latch and remove milk efficiently. This inefficient breast milk transfer will result in baby not getting what he adequately needs and baby will lose weight. Additionally, mom’s milk supply may negatively be affected and milk production decreases. In this situation where baby has difficulty latching, is not transferring milk efficiently, and is losing weight, the assistance of a Lactation Consultant is paramount to support your goal to breastfeed baby, in coordinated care with your doctors or other healthcare providers.
Baby’s latch is obviously key in breastfeeding. Mom must make sure baby opens his mouth wide with flanged lips and takes in as much of the breast to fill his mouth. Important to remember too, is that baby should be latching onto your nipple AND breast, NOT just the nipple. A technique of “sandwiching your breast tissue” close to the irregular-shaped nipple, will create a protruding small portion of breast tissue that makes it easier for baby to grasp and latch. If baby is able to latch properly onto breast tissue near the nipple, he will be able to breastfeed successfully despite mom’s irregular-shaped nipples. As breastfeeding continues, the irregular-shaped nipples may actually change shape and protrude instead. Regular pumping may also result in changing the nipples’ shape.
Having flat, inverted, or irregular-shaped nipples may be a challenge to breastfeed baby, and you may have difficulties at the start. However, with patience and work with baby, a lot of practice, and use of a lactation tool if needed, PLUS assistance and support of a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and your healthcare providers, you can do it! Be calm and breastfeed on!