There was a large randomised conrolled trial done about treatments for
inverted nipples. It was an excellent trial (I am biased, was involved
in the recruitment of Moms) done by Jo Alexander a midwifery lecturer in
the U.K. I have the reference at work - will post it tomorrow. It
involved a control group, a group which used Hoffman's, group using
Woolwich shells, and a group using Hoffman's and shells. They were
followed into the lactation period. The result was the control group
came off best even though they too had inverted nipples. The
recommendations were that nipples should not be examined during
pregnancy because the Moms may then perceive that they may have problems
when feeding and would not try to succeed for as long as they would
otherwise.
Carolyn Westcott RN IBCLC