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Let's be honest. As women we would love to have long, everted nipples if we plan to breastfeed. Many women think that they have flat or inverted nipples and therefore will have a hard time breastfeeding. Some are so discouraged, they don't even try. It is a misperception that in order to be successful at breastfeeding we have to have nipples that any baby would appreciate.
Inverted Nipples:
In my experience as a lactation consultant, these type of nipples are the most challenging. To know that you have “true” inverted nipples, regardless of a dimple or crease in the nipple, you need to pinch the sides of the nipple and the nipple goes in and “hides.” It will help if the mother has a protruding areola. You may then use the extra tissue from the areola to make a ridge that becomes the “nipple”. First of all, giving a baby a bottle or pacifier will make your efforts in teaching the baby harder. If the baby will not latch, get a lactation consultant or nurse to come and help you. If a lactation consultant isn’t available right away, express your colostrum onto a spoon and have the baby lick off the colostrum.
Until help arrives, hopefully only a few hours, express at least one spoon full of colostrum at each feeding. Note: the milk is in the back of the breast. Hold your breast as if holding a sandwich or in the C hold. Keep your fingers away from the areola. Compress back towards you chest wall and roll your fingers forward. Avoid pinching the nipple to get the milk out as this will only serve to hold the milk in. Also try pumping using the suction to bring the nipple out of hiding. When the nipple protrudes a little, get the baby on immediately. Using nipple shields is an option but first see a certified lactation consultant first to determine if this is the best route.
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