There was a query about this device, which exerts continuous suction on an
inverted nipple. I have seen one and know of someone who has used it. She
isn't really sure if was entirely successful, as it seemed to pull out
areola tissue rather than the nipple itself and did cause some bleeding,
but she is now breastfeeding her second baby on that side, which she was
unable to do with her first. She wasn't able to get baby on to this side
until several weeks after the birth, and it still doesn't produce much
compared to the other side, but the baby *can* attach. It is hard to know
how much contribution the Niplette made to her situation, but may have been
a factor, along with more experience with breastfeeding, more attention to
attachment from Day 1, a different birth experience (less medicated than
the first) and a different baby.

Yes, it is quite expensive for what it appears to be, but it is quite
unique, and would be a lot cheaper than and preferable to surgery to cut
ducts, which is what it was developed to be an alternative for in the first
place!

My understanding is that the main message for lactation people is to
realise that it is usually not particularly useful at the stages that we
usually see the mothers - late pregnancy and lactation. I believe it is
most useful to try to evert nipples *before* pregnancy. It was originally
developed for cosmetic reasons rather than to help mothers breastfeed. The
spin-off seemed to be that women who had used them for cosmetic reasons and
everted their nipples, between or before babies, had more success with
breastfeeding later babies. I think I have got this right.

A concern expressed by some is that it comes in only one size, so that it
may not suit everyone.

If used when the breast contains colostrum or milk, the suction is likely
to be lost as it 'expresses' this fluid, and it would fall off.

Joy (who has no connection with this product other than having seen it and
read a bit about it!)

******************************************************************
Joy Anderson B.Sc. Dip.Ed. Grad.Dip.Med.Tech. IBCLC
Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia.   mailto:[log in to unmask]
******************************************************************