Mothering Corner

I keep hearing some mothers telling me that they failed breastfeeding because they have inverted or flat nipples. However, I personally know a mother who successfully breastfed her boy up to 2 years old, even if she has inverted nipples. A lot of mothers failed to realized that it’s breastfeeding, not nipple feeding. I know the shape of the nipples might affect how a baby can latch on successfully, but there are certain things that a mother with inverted or flat nipples can do to breastfeed her baby.

Firstly, you can get get a breast shell during pregnancy, and start wearing them before feeding. They will provide certain pressure to push out the nipples and it will be easier for baby to latch on later.

Other than that, you can try to stimulate the nipples by using a breastpump or your fingers before baby is latching on. Most of the time, the nipples will be protruded when you are using a breastpump and baby can latch on faster without a lot of fuss. But once the baby is used to latching on, this step might not be necessary at all.

Some recommended nipple shield, but I don’t think it’s useful. The baby will have a tough time latching onto the breast once he’s used to sucking from the shield as he will only suck on the nipple, but not the whole areola. Lesser stipulation might also affect the mother’s milk production as well.

But if you really can’t make it, just express your milk and cup feed your baby first initially. Some mothers succeeded in giving their babies breastmilk exclusively, even if they have never breastfed.