Believe it or not, breastfeeding with inverted nipples can be as simple as breastfeeding with protruding nipples! You do however need good support when learning how to position and attach your baby to the breast, right from the beginning.
If you are a mum with inverted nipples, you may already have been told that breastfeeding will be problematic. Mums are often told they have inverted nipples when actually their nipples are pseudo inverted – which means that they will pop out when a little suction is applied. So check your nipples before you become all worried and confused with all the conflicting advice.
SO if you do have true inverted nipples, what tools are available to help you breastfeed well?
Many mothers are told that the only way to breastfeed when they have inverted nipples, is to use nipple shields. Nipple shields are useful, if the nipple is totally inverted and baby has a weak suck and is not able to draw the nipple out. It is important to at least try to latch baby onto the breast without a nipple shield a few times a day, as babies do become stronger and will actively try to latch onto the breast providing they are albe to scoop up breast tissue as well as the nipple.
Often, using nipple shields too frequently in the early days, can alter the manner in which the baby milks the breast, which could lead to breastfeeding problems and sore nipples later on.
If you are trying to latch your baby onto the breast, make sure that your baby is positioned properly to start with, i.e. that he/she is positioned nose to nipple. This will ensure that your breast tissue ( the areola), will be able to fall into baby’s mouth and the nipple will inevitably follow.
Depending on the size of your breast, if you have a pronounced inverted nipple, you may find latching easier by having baby positioned in the underarm or rugby hold, lying more on his/her back and coming up onto the breast. Nature and gravity will naturally pull the nipple down further to the back of baby’s mouth and thus protecting the nipple from becoming sore and cracked.
Whilst there is a lot of attention paid to the size and shape of mum’s breast, it is also important to remember that there are two people involved in the act of breastfeeding. So be sure to ask a professional to have a look in your baby’s mouth, to assess how far back the nipple will be able to go into baby’s mouth, and/or whether you would be better off using a nipple shield temporarily or expressing and bottle feeding as a last resort!
It is important to remember that you have options and with the right practical guidance, breastfeeding should be a satisfying experience for you and your baby.
