Until recently the women who had flat nipples or inverted they were made to think that they were unable to breastfeed, but this is not true, although if they can have difficulties with the grip that, with adequate help and advice they will be able, in a good part of the cases, to solve satisfactorily.
What is not true is that they should try to take them out or massage before delivery, that is totally unnecessary. No creams are necessary either. Nor will it be necessary to wear teat cups without specialized advice when the baby is born. The solutions for breastfeeding are other.
The protactility of the flat or inverted nipple
The nipple is where the baby breast and protrudes to help you get hooked, in addition to providing an olfactory and visual claim. Actually, more than the shape of the nipple before breastfeeding, what we should keep in mind is if the nipple takes the proper shape, out, once the child takes it.
This nipple characteristic of being able to get out with the stimuli is called protactility. Many flat or inverted nipples if they are protactile to the stimulus and women who have them can breastfeed.
Breastfeeding problems with flat or inverted nipples
Difficulties a mother may find who wants to breastfeed but has one or both flat or inverted nipples They are usually the rejection of the breast by the baby or the cracks. And both can lead to weaning against your wishes if you fail to solve this issue.
I am going to give you some guidelines that can be used before flat or inverted nipples They may be useful, but if difficulties persist, it is advisable to go to an advisor or support group.
Although mothers and babies can naturally breastfeed in most cases, there is also no doubt that there are problems that can be found, but with correct information and support they can be solved, without having to stop breastfeeding by not knowing what to do or receive wrong advice even if they are well intentioned.
Breastfeeding aid techniques should be known to all healthcare professionals who care for a woman who has just given birth, but also, we ourselves can learn and use them if necessary.
In order to breastfeed with flat or inverted nipples, it is important to stimulate the nipple before taking it. The most usual is to do it with Hoffman's maneuver or a brief extraction with the breast pump, which will leave the nipple properly. Then you have to start offering the nipple with major problems, trying several positions to try to make the child feel comfortable.
Hoffman maneuvers are very simple and effective nipple stimulation exercises. We should make them as calm as possible, preventing them from interrupting us if that makes us feel uncomfortable. Soon after doing them it will not cost us work and they are very helpful for babies who have difficulties to get hooked or fit the shape of their mouthpiece to the shape of our chest.
Actually, and reviewing my own difficulties when starting breastfeeding and those of many other mothers that I have been acquainted with, it would be appropriate for this, so simple, to be taught by midwives before delivery, I think it would serve to alleviate the anguish of many moms who find themselves with early abandonment of breastfeeding for something that might have been solved.
Hoffman's maneuvers they consist of placing the index fingers on each side of the nipple and gently stretching the skin of the halo vertically and horizontally. Then he takes the nipple between his fingers and gradually forms a mountain, slowly pushing from the halo towards the tip. Finally, the extracted part is pinched very delicately to leave it out.
Ultimately, if we cannot extract it or the child rejects it, the milk can be extracted and given with a syringe or spoon, so as not to hinder the engagement with a possible confusion if we use a bottle, and keep trying, because little by little the baby It will be more skillful and strong.
As I said at the beginning, in case the breastfeeding problems with flat or inverted nipples persist, do not rule out going to a support group or a lactation consultant, since with your help we can feel safer and learn effective techniques.
