A cleft nipple is split down the middle during embryonic development, it
is not the result of trauma!
A "smushed" nipple is one that is being compressed too much, either
because the baby is too shallowly latched, or because the milk flow is
low and the baby is increasing the negative pressure to try to obtain
milk.  I wonder if the nipple could be sutured, then milk supply
maintained by hand expression for a few days while it heals?  Perhaps
plastic sticky sutures can be used (steri strips is one brand in the US).

If this mom still wants to breastfeed on this breast (brave, brave
Mommy), she would probably get relief from an asymmetric latch.  See
Andrea Eastman's wonderful article on latch (with Diane Wiessingers
wonderful photos and quotes) in Leaven, you can find it in the archives
at www.laleche.org (then click "for Leaders") if you now longer have the
issue.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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