Question:

Can I breastfeed with inverted nipples?

Breastfeeding with Inverted Nipples

Breastfeeding with inverted nipples is certainly possible. Even though your nipple does not protrude so that your baby can easily latch on, certain tools are available to aid you in successfully ensuring that your child consumes breast milk.
First, if you decide not to breastfeed directly or if you prefer to breastfeed only some of the time, you can use a pump to extract your milk. A breast pump is a commonly used tool. You can opt to use a manual breast pump which requires you to squeeze a lever for the suction to occur. This kind of pump is very portable and doesn't require anything else besides the bottle to collect the breast milk. An electric pump is a more popular option today, however; It uses an electric motor that fuels the suction. All you need to do is hold the pump's flanges over your nipples for fifteen to twenty minutes and watch your breast milk collect in the bottle that is attached to each flange. Please keep in mind that pumping milk requires a lot of patience and effort - some women may have more success with it than others. But once a user figures out how to make the pump work to her satisfaction, the system is a rewarding and painless process.
If you want to try breastfeeding exclusively despite your inverted nipples,you can do so with the aid of a nipple shield. A nipple shield is a rubber shell in the general shape of a nipple, with five or six small holes at it's peak through which the milk is passed. You put the nipple shield over your own nipple, taking care to ensure that it sticks to you and stays in place. You then bring your child to your breast and allow her to suck on it and take in the milk. Because the shield is made of rubber, it promotes a kind of friction that allows it to stick to your skin, but only until you remove it.
Lactation experts are often weary of the nipple shield, concluding that it isn't a completely natural experience for both mother and child, and that it can aid in your contracting Mastitis, an infection of the breast. Mastitis can be prevented with careful washing of the shield and practicing good hygiene. Please note that even mothers who do not use a shield often develop Mastitis. Ultimately, the nipple shield is a wonderful tool that allows you to breastfeed when you otherwise might not be able to do so.
You can use both tools in conjunction with each other. Pumping after feeding your child from the breast may take more time in general, but it allows you to reach and sustain your full milk supply sooner, which is great for your baby. You can freeze some of the milk you pump so that your child can consume it later. There is never too much breast milk; It is a customized food, specifically tailored to your child's developmental and nutritional needs. Some mothers breastfeed well into the toddler years. If you breastfeed with the aid of a nipple shield for several months while pumping, you can still feed your child breast milk during the weaning process. With that, happy breastfeeding! May you and your child enjoy the beauty of such a unique bonding process.