Flat or Inverted Nipples and Breastfeeding: What Helps

Many parents worry when their nipples look flat or turn inward. The good news: most can breastfeed. Babies latch onto the breast, not just the nipple, and nipples often change during pregnancy and in the first days of feeding.

What are flat and inverted nipples?

Flat nipples do not stick out much, even when cold or touched. Inverted nipples pull inward instead of pointing out. It can affect one side or both, and it ranges from mild to more pronounced.

A simple check: the pinch test

Gently hold the areola between your thumb and index finger, about 2 to 3 cm behind the nipple, and press lightly. If the nipple moves outward, it is not truly inverted. If it stays flat or pulls in, it may be flat or inverted. Either way, this is useful information, not a verdict on whether you can breastfeed.

Can I still breastfeed?

Usually, yes. A deep latch matters more than nipple shape. Breast tissue softens and stretches with feeding, and your baby’s suck often helps draw the nipple out over the first days and weeks. Some families simply need a little more help at the start.

What helps

• Plenty of skin-to-skin from birth, so your baby can find the breast in their own time
• Laid-back positions that let your baby lead and take a deep latch
• Shaping the breast, like a sandwich, so your baby can take a good mouthful
• Gently drawing the nipple out just before a feed: rolling it between your fingers, hand expressing, or pumping for a minute
• Reverse pressure softening if your breasts are engorged, so the areola is soft enough to latch onto
• A nipple shield as a short-term tool, only with guidance from a lactation consultant

What to avoid during pregnancy

You do not need to “prepare” your nipples before birth. Avoid pulling, stretching exercises or special devices unless your care provider recommends them, as there is little evidence that they help. If you have a history of preterm labour, talk to your care provider before any nipple stimulation.

When to get help

• Your baby cannot latch, or slips off again and again
• Pain that lasts beyond the first seconds of a feed, or damaged nipples
• Fewer wet or dirty diapers than expected, or concerns about weight gain
• You are pumping because your baby cannot latch yet

If your baby is unable to feed, seems very sleepy or unwell, contact your care provider or call 811 right away.

This article is general education and does not replace advice from your doctor, midwife or other health professional. If you have a medical concern about you or your baby, contact your care provider.