On Wed, 15 May 1996 10:02:20 EDT, Melissa L. Brancho wrote:
> I saw a mom last night because baby hadn't latched due to inverted nipples.  I
>thought well, how bad could it be most people make a bigger issue out of
>inverted nipples than they really are.  Boy!  Was I wrong!  This is a mom who
>delievered C-section, has very large, pendulous breasts and no nipples!  Where
>there is to be a nipple, she has a dimpled, retracted nipple.  When stimulation
>(of any kind) is applied the nipple retracts further.  Nurses tried prior
to use
>a nipple shield but baby refused it and in my opinion, was a last straw for
>them.  Started mom on an electric breastpump with bilateral pumping kit and
>after 7 minutes breast tissue (I wouldn't call it a nipple) was shaped but I
>couldn't get the baby to the breast before it was gone.  Mom really wants to
>breastfeed but I am not sure this is a possibility.  I know that nipples
are not
>necessarily needed for breastfeeding, but this is like trying to latch-on to a
>ball, even after a pump has been used.  Any suggestions for correction?

Dear Melissa,

I just learned about this in the BSC class.  You can try to break the
adhesions with a reversed 6 - 12 cc. syringe (chosen to just fit the nipple).
Cut off the hub and a few mm. of barrel with a sharp knife, remove the
plunger and replace it backwards, then apply the smooth, rounded end to the
nipple and pull the plunger to create vacuum.  The cut doesn't have to be
dressed, because you're using the other end on the nipple.

Jonathan
****************************************
*       L. Jonathan Kramer, P.E.       *
* Graduate Breastfeeding Counselor and  *
*    Student Lactation Consultant      *
****************************************