FLAT OR INVERTED NIPPLES

..Inverted Nipple .......... After surgery

My nipples don't stick out as much as I think they should.
Will I be able to breastfeed successfully?

Yes, you can breastfeed even if your nipples are flat or inverted. Babies feed on areolas, not nipples. When babies latch on and suck, they draw the nipple out, making it just the right size and shape for effective breastfeeding.

If you're wondering about whether or not your nipples are inverted, gently compress the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) between your thumb and forefinger. Most nipples will protrude. Flat nipples don't do anything at all. Inverted nipples will retract. It's not unusual to have one nipple that is flat or inverted and one that is not.

It used to be common practice to treat flat or inverted nipples prenatally with nipple-stretching exercises and/or breast shells (plastic cups worn inside the bra that press on the areola, forcing the nipple out). Yet studies comparing treated with untreated groups showed the treated groups actually were less successful at breastfeeding. Most breastfeeding specialists no longer recommend prenatal nipple treatment. They believe that all the attention given to nipples prenatally makes the mother feel that her breasts are inadequate, setting her up for breastfeeding failure.

As you know, the nipple is the conduit for milk when a woman is breast feeding. There is no research to say that one or another type of nipple is better or worse for getting milk to a baby. Given all this, and that your concerns are cosmetic rather than health-oriented, you can learn to enjoy your nipples as they are rather than risk unnecessary surgery to a very functional part of your anatomy. Could you and your boyfriend make a challenge out of bringing out your nipples during sex play? Can the situation be reframed in a potentially fun and interesting manner? It's one way of making YOU special!

Many times, inverted nipples will become "outies" during the course of pregnancy. There are a few tricks to encourage this, such as rolling or pulling the nipples. Pulling is just that -- pull them out (gently!) and hold them there for several seconds a few times a day. Rolling involves gently pulling the nipples out and then rolling them between thumb and forefinger for a few minutes once or twice a day. Nipple shields are probably the most effective at coaxing the nipples out -- they are worn over the nipples, for several hours a day. They exert a constant gentle pressure that helps to draw the nipple out. Shields are usually recommended for pregnant women preparing to breastfeed,

There is nothing "abnormal" about having inverted nipples — many women have them! Sometimes, as a woman's breasts continue to grow, the nipples will eventually be pushed outward. Every woman's breasts and nipples are different, and that's perfectly normal! If you're feeling anxious about your boyfriend's reaction, you may want to explain this to him beforehand. A caring partner should be sensitive to your concerns.

A woman can still enjoy sex and breastfeed her baby if one or both nipples are inverted. There are no health problems associated with having inverted nipples. However, an infection can occur if fluid or discharge from the breast gets caught in the folds around the inverted nipple. So, pay extra attention to keeping your nipples clean.

Nipple Knowledge
Sometimes when I squeeze my nipple, some white stuff comes out. Is this normal?
What does it mean if one of my boobs is bigger than the other one?

What are they? Breasts are considered "secondary" sex organs. Although they have no primary function in sexual reproduction, they are sexually sensitive and may inspire sexual desire. Breasts develop during puberty. Even though they're not directly responsible for reproduction, they still play a big role in your sexuality — maybe as much as your sex organs do, because they are more visible and have a lot to do with how you and others see your body.

Boobs are cool when you think about it. They not only attract partners, but also can give a lot of sexual pleasure without a risk of pregnancy or infection, AND they make milk to feed and nurture babies!

The main thing about breasts is that they can be as different as any two women are. Almost anything is normal. They come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. And when they are developing, they change all the time. As soon as you get used to them one way, they are likely to become different.

Size Differenaces
The thing about boobs that seems to cause the most worry is their size. Breasts can range from teeny to enormous, and it seems that we all waste a lot of energy wishing ours were either larger or smaller. Whether yours are lemons or grapefruits, they're normal.

Small: Some girls worry that having small breasts makes them less feminine. But the tiniest breasts can be really sexy and can work great for sexual pleasure and breast-feeding babies. So if yours are on the small side, try to consider them a well-kept secret.

Large: If girls with small boobs can feel asexual, girls with big boobs often get treated like they are overly sexual. Some girls feel that once their breasts develop, no one notices anything else about them. We say — be proud of what you've got!

Lopsided: While boobs come in pairs, they are not always a perfect match. Your two breasts can develop at different rates. Sometimes this evens out, and sometimes it doesn't — either way is normal! If you feel self-conscious about it, you can pad one side of your bra. But even after puberty's over, most women's breasts, like the two sides of our faces, differ somewhat from each other.

Nipples
Color: Nipples come in a whole range of colors, from light pink to brownish black. The color of your nipples usually corresponds to your skin color. Got dark skin? You've probably got darker nipples. As your breasts develop, your nipples and areolae (the area around the nipples) also get darker.

Inverted: A lot of girls and women have nipples that are inverted — they're like slits instead of buttons. Guess what? This, too, is normal. Sometimes only one nipple is inverted. Sometimes they invert or correct themselves during development. Inverted nipples work just fine and don't mean you can't breast-feed later if you choose to.

Hair: As you've probably noticed, puberty means hair starts cropping up in unexpected places, including your breasts. It's totally normal to have some hair growing around the outside of your areolae. You can leave it alone, or, if it really bothers you, you can remove it with tweezers.

Erections: Boing! Like the penis and the clitoris, nipples get erect. Cold, friction, sexual excitement, and even nerves can cause your nipples to become hard and sort of pop out. If this embarrasses you, sometimes rubbing your nipples can make the erection go away. Or, if you're really self-conscious, you can cover them with your arms or a sweater, or wear a bra that has a lining or pads.

Development
Everyone's breasts develop at a different rate. You can start as early as eight years old or as late as 16. Most girls' breasts develop between the ages of nine and 14. They can grow slowly or quickly regardless of when they start to develop.

If you get your period and your breasts and nipples are totally undeveloped, you should see your doctor to just make sure that everything is on track.

Soreness: It's normal for breasts to feel sore or tender as they develop. This discomfort will go away as growth slows down.

Stretch Marks: Many girls get stretch marks on their breasts. This is because our skin can't always keep up with the growth happening beneath it. Stretch marks may start out pink or red and raised, but will eventually fade and be much less noticeable.

Sexuality
Breasts can give you a lot of sexual pleasure. They are basically "freebies," since you can't get pregnant or catch sexually transmitted infection by going to "second base." Most girls' breasts and nipples are sensitive to stroking, touching, and kissing. Looking at, feeling, and kissing breasts, turns on a lot of people. Some partners are clumsy in the way they handle breasts and need to be told or shown how to do it in a pleasing way. Some women, of course, aren't crazy about having their breasts touched, and this is normal, too.

By Adolescence Educator