Nipple size
and shape do not affect the ability to nurse. A woman who has
flat or inverted (turned in) nipples can still breast-feed. There
are a number of recommendations about preparing your breasts
for breast-feeding, but it is not clear that any of the methods
make early breast-feeding easier. If you want to try preparing
your breasts, special plastic breast shells worn in the last
month of pregnancy may help. In time, they will cause the nipple
to stick out. If the nipples are erect, there is no need to prepare
the breasts.
Do this simple
nipple test to find out if you have flat, inverted, or erect
nipples:
- Place
your thumb and index finger on the areola.
- At the
base of the nipple, squeeze gently, but firmly.
- If you
nipple flattens or retracts (inverts) into the breast, you
can begin wearing breast shells during the last couple weeks
of pregnancy.
It is important
to do this nipple test, because although some nipples appear erect,
they will invert when the areola is squeezed gently.
Warning: Do not stimulate your nipples for any reason. Only perform the simple nipple test once to determine if shells are needed. With nipple stimulation, contractions can begin and lead to preterm labor! Discuss any questions you may have with your health care provider or nurse.
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