Q: Nursing w/ inverted nipples?
Posted
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 10:16 AM
"I have an inverted nipple. It never
pops out! I really want to breast feed and have heard about the
shields. Will this really work? Is there anything else I can do to
help the
situation?" --mrsjrmiller
Andi Silverman: Some women have nipples that don’t stick out and may appear flat or even
inverted. With a little patience, you
can get your baby to successfully latch onto your breast. Your baby’s sucking motion can draw the
nipple out. Pumping just before nursing
can help pull the nipple out too.
Some experts recommend using nipple shields
during feedings; as the baby sucks, the milk comes out through a hole in the
shield. You don’t want to use nipple
shields long term because they can lead to decreased milk supply. You can also
wear breast shells during pregnancy to coax the nipple to stick out. Finally, there are hand exercises that you
can do to draw the nipple out.
Find a
board certified lactation consultant to help you through this process. Your OB, pediatrician, hospital or local la
leche league group can help you find a lactation consultant near you. You can also use the International Lactation
Consultant Association to find an LC near you.
Guest breastfeeding expert Andi Silverman is the author of Mama Knows Breast: A Beginners Guide to Breastfeeding and a mother of two. Read her blog at www.mamaknowsbreast.com, and send your questions to editors@thenestbaby.com
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