Grade 1: The nipple protracts easily when you apply light pressure to the areola. When pressure is released, the nipple maintains its projection, rather than retracting immediately. Grade 1 inverted nipples are unlikely to interfere with breastfeeding, though you still may have cosmetic concerns. There is little to no fibrosis (excess connective tissue) in Grade 1 inverted nipples. Grade 2: The nipple protracts when pressure is applied, though not very easily, and retracts as soon as pressure is released. Grade 2 inversions are more likely to complicate breastfeeding. There is often a moderate degree of fibrosis, with mild retraction of the lactiferous or milk ducts. Grade 3: The nipple is retracted and does not respond to manipulation; it cannot be pulled out. This is the most serious form of inversion, with a significant amount of fibrosis and retracted milk ducts. You may also experience rashes or infections if you have Grade 3 inversion, and breastfeeding may be impossible. Test both nipples, since they may not both be inverted.
If you are over 50 and your areola appears distorted and your nipple appears flatter than normal, or has become inverted, get screened for breast cancer immediately. Women over 50 are at risk for developing Paget’s disease of the breast. Pink discharge and crusting, thickening, flaking, or scaling of the skin of the nipple and areola can also be symptoms of breast cancer. See a doctor if you have dirty white, greenish, or black discharge from your nipple. Tenderness, redness, or a thickening around your nipples may be a sign of mammary duct ecstasia. Perimenopausal women are especially at risk for mammary duct ecstasia. If you develop a painful lump that oozes pus when pushed or cut, and if you have fever, you may have a type of infection called subareolar breast abscess. Most nipple infections happen during lactation, but subareolar breast abscesses appear in women who are not lactating. If your nipples have been recently pierced and have become inverted, ask your doctor to check you for subareolar breast abscess. [3] X Research source
If you have Grade 1 inversion, it’s likely that manual methods can help loosen the fibrous tissue and allow the nipple to protract more easily. If you have Grade 2 or 3 inversion, it may be a good idea to consult a doctor for your treatment plan. In some cases, non-invasive methods may be adequate, while plastic surgery may be a better option in others. If you are pregnant or nursing, be guided by your doctor, nurse or lactation consultant.
Start with two repetitions per day, gradually building up to five. This technique is thought to break down the adhesions at the base of the nipple that keep it inverted.
Cup your breast inside the shield and position your nipple through the small hole. Wear the breast shell under your shirt, undershirt or bra. You may need to have an extra layer of clothing to hide it adequately. If you are preparing to nurse, wear the shell for 30 minutes prior to breastfeeding. The shell applies gentle pressure to your nipple to encourage it to stay erect. It can be used by men and women as a treatment for inverted nipples. The breast shell may stimulate lactation in breastfeeding women. Nursing mothers should not wear them continuously for days on end. If you wear the shell during feedings, be sure to wash it in hot, soapy water afterwards, and dispose of any milk leaked into the shell during wearing. Monitor the area around your breast when using breast shells, as they may cause rashes. [8] X Research source
Place the phalange over your breast, ensuring your nipple is centered inside the hole. Phalanges come in different sizes, so be sure the phalange you’re using covers your nipple. Hold the phalange against your breast, ensuring a seal against your skin. Holding the phalange or bottle in one hand, turn on the pump. Pump at the highest comfortable strength. Turn off the machine by holding both bottles against you with one arm and turning off the pump with another. If you are nursing, give the nipple to your baby once your nipple is erect. Don’t pump extensively if you are nursing, since it will start the flow of milk from your nipple. There are a variety of breast pumps on the market; high-quality electric pumps like those used at a maternity ward do the best job of pulling the nipple out without damaging surrounding tissue. Breast pumps vary from one manufacturer to another. Talk to a nurse or lactation consultant about the best way to use the particular pump you’re working with.
Use clean, sharp scissors to cut off the end of the syringe where it reads “0 mL”. (The side opposite to the plunger. ) Remove the plunger and reinsert it at the end you just cut off, pushing the plunger all the way in. Place the uncut end over your nipple and draw out the plunger so that your nipple protracts. Do not pull farther than is comfortable. Before removing, push the plunger slightly back in to break the suction. Once finished, disassemble all parts and wash with hot, soapy water. If you prefer, there is a medical device called Evert-It, which is a modified syringe with a breast phalange. It works on the same principle described above.
Apply a small amount of nipple ointment to the nipple and areola and the base of the Niplette. Insert the syringe into the open end of the valve, pushing firmly. Place the Avent Niplette over your nipple with one hand and pull the syringe with the other, creating suction. Don’t pull too hard - this should not be painful! Once the nipple has been pulled out, release the Niplette. Grasp the valve and carefully remove the syringe from the valve. Do this carefully so that no air is re-injected, which would cause the device to fall off. Wear your Niplette under your clothing. If you’re wearing a tight top, you can conceal the Niplette with a specially designed protective cover. Remove the Niplette by pushing the syringe into the valve to break the vacuum. Start by wearing the Niplette for one hour per day. Gradually increase by one hour each day, working up to eight hours per day. Do not wear the Niplette day and night! Within three weeks you should see results, with the nipple filling the mould.
The suction cups are not easy to fall off during use. Connect the suction cups and the tube together . Install the tube connected with the suction cups to the machine. Put the suction cup on the nipples, long press the power button to start the machine, short press the power button to select modes, press “+” or “-” to adjust gears, and then start to correct. The electric nipple corrector is suitable for inverted nipples for grades 1 and 2. It is recommended to use 1-2 times a day, 15-20 minutes each time, and the interval between two corrections should be about 5-8 hours. Generally, nipples can be seen bulged after 7-10 days of continuous use. After 3 months of continuous use, the inverted nipples are basically corrected, and not easy to get inverted again. If you prefer, there is a device called Rolevin Nipple Corrector. It works on the same principle described above.
Center the Supple Cup onto the nipple and squeeze the bottom of the Supple Cup as you gently press it onto the nipple. This creates a gentle vacuum, drawing the nipple into the Supple Cup. For an improved seal, apply a small amount of nipple cream or butter – such as USP modified lanolin – on nipple and interior of the Supple Cup. If that still doesn’t work, you may want to try a different size. New users typically wear Supple Cups for 15 minutes on the first day. If no pain or discomfort is experienced, one may advance the time each day, gradually increasing to four hours per day by the end of the first week. Some are able to wear the Supple Cups under a bra without the Supple Cup being displaced or without discomfort. Alternatively, Breast Shells can be used in conjunction with Supple Cups to prevent a tight bra from flattening out the Supple Cups or from causing uncomfortable pressure or from being detached from the nipple.
This is a short outpatient procedure involving local anesthesia. You can go home the same day, and, because it is minimally invasive, you will probably be able to return to your routine (work, etc. ) the following day. Discuss the procedure with your surgeon. Inform yourself about how the procedure is performed, and what results you can expect. At this time your surgeon will examine your medical history and assess the underlying cause of your condition.
You will likely have surgical dressings on your nipple after the operation. Change these dressings if and as instructed by your surgeon.
