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From:
Renee Hefti <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 6 May 2012 23:10:11 -0700
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In response to the question, "what to do prenatally if nipples are inverted"? - I would say nothing.  Babies aren't born knowing some mothers have different sizes / shapes of nipples.

Just don't give them a finger, pacifier, nipple shield or bottle or they will expect to feel something hard touching their palate.  Feed them with a little cup, (if difficulty latching at first), and lots and lots of skin to skin contact, bathing with their baby etc. - they have a great need to suck and most will figure it out. 

To demonstrate to a prenatal mom who has (often) been told she won't be able to breastfeed because of inverted nipples,  I show her how big the baby's mouth must be open, (no "v" at the corners of the mouth) and then open my mouth big and suck on my arm.  There is no nipple on my arm but when I remove my mouth there is a big round red mark where the tissue was drawn in.  I then show her this doesn't happen if my mouth is not wide open. Sometimes the mom or dad try this experiment themselves.

I demonstrate cup feeding to all my classes and give them a couple of medicine cups, (to  take home), otherwise they come home from hospital with a bottle if the baby isn't latching.  

I rarely use a nipple shield and never before 2 weeks but by that time most of the babies have figured out what to do and the pump has likely made the nipple / areola more stretchy.

Renee (in Vancouver, Canada)

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