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Outcome of Non-protractile Nipple Correction with Breast Cups in Pregnant
Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

*To cite this article:*
Pharuhas Chanprapaph, Jinda Luttarapakul, Somprasong Siribariruck, and
Srisawat Boonyawanichkul. Breastfeeding Medicine. August 2013, 8(4):
408-412. doi:10.1089/bfm.2012.0118.

*Objective:* The benefit of antenatal nipple correction remains
inconclusive. This study aims to demonstrate the value of breast cups in
lengthening of short nipples and to compare the breastfeeding rate between
the users and the nonusers.

*Subjects and Methods:* Singleton pregnant women with at least one short
nipple (<7.0 mm) were enrolled at a gestational age (GA) of 16–20 weeks.
All participants were randomly allocated into the breast cup group (BC
group) and the expectant group (EX group). The first group was requested to
wear breast cups for at least 8 hours during the daytime, whereas the
second group was not. The nipple length was evaluated prior to the study
and at every visit until GA of 36 weeks by the same blinded evaluator.

*Results:* Among 90 eligible participants (43 in the BC group, 47 in the EX
group), the nipple elongation in the BC group was significantly higher than
in the EX group (2.37±1.29 mm versus 1.84±0.98 mm; *p*=0.032), with a mean
difference of 0.53±0.24 mm (95% confidence interval 0.05, 1.01). On Day 3,
there was an insignificantly higher number of mothers with a LATCH score of
≥7 in the BC group. The 3-month exclusive breastfeeding rate in the BC
group was insignificantly greater than that of the EX group (65.39% versus
50.0%; *p*=0.35).

*Conclusions:* Breast cups are safe and well tolerated by users and
evidently increase the length of short nipples and enhance the exclusive
breastfeeding rate.

Excerpts from article:

"......previous history of breastfeeding were recruited into the study.
Patients with uncertain date, inverted (crater-like) nipple, prior nipple or
breast surgery, and previous preterm birth were excluded-- "

"Prior to the evaluation, both nipples of each patient who sat in an
upright position were rolled for 5 seconds, and then the nipple length and
diameter were measured with a very precise digital Vernier caliper in
millimeter
units to 2 decimals."


"The patients in the BC group were instructed to wear both breast cups
underneath their brassieres for at least 8 hours per day or 56 hours per week
during daytime, whereas the participants in the EX group were asked to do
nothing."


"Because of high loss of follow-up rates, the study was barely to conclude
that the exclusive breastfeeding rate was improved by breast cups."

"In this study, 30–40% of cases were unable to contact by phone after
delivery. Nevertheless, the exclusive breastfeeding rate at 3 months in our
study remained high, amounting to 57% (32 of 56 cases)"


warmly,

Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC

Author:* Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy*

www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com
https://www.facebook.com/nikkileehealth
*Get my FREE webinar series
*

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