Inverted Nipples

Today, an expectant mother asked me what she could do to prepare her breasts for breastfeeding. This is a common question, so I thought I might address it here with our group.

The most important thing a mother can do is to check to be sure she doesn’t have inverted nipples. Inverted nipples are those that retract (telescope in to the breast tissue) when the areola (brown area behind the nipple) is gently pinched together. The condition makes it difficult for a baby to latch correctly. If identified during pregnancy, treatment can be very effective in reducing the degree of retraction and facilitating an early attachment of infant to breast. So, if a mother thinks her nipples might be inverted, she can ask her doctor to check or call our lactation office for a recommendation.