Is nipple protrusion disorder or nipple invagination a contraindication to breastfeeding? Can I breastfeed without nipples? Inverted nipples are not only a cosmetic problem, but they also tend to harbor dirt and cause peri-mammary ductitis, and some nipple retraction is a characteristic sign of breast cancer! In the absence of any disease, you will see some women with congenital nipple invagination who have breastfeeding experience.
I. Causes of nipple invagination
(A) Congenital causes
The nipple does not form a normal projection. The milk ducts are shortened, deep adhesions are made, and the normal strong muscle fiber collagen tissue behind the nipple is replaced by a cavity in which the nipple is deeply trapped! Invagination usually occurs bilaterally, but the degree of invagination varies. It is not uncommon for one side to be invaginated and the other side to be normal.
(B) Acquired causes
1. Nipple retraction caused by periductitis
Congenital nipple invagination affects the cleanliness of the nipple or causes periductal inflammation due to secretion obstruction, and finally the fibrous tissue becomes less elastic and pulls the nipple back.
2.Tumor infiltration
Tumor pulling the parapapillary ligament causes nipple retraction. There is a difference between nipple invagination and nipple retraction in the real sense: nipple invagination is a nipple that has never appeared, while nipple retraction is a change in the originally prominent nipple under the influence of an underlying disease.
Research on whether nipple invagination affects breastfeeding
Waller, a medical expert, used the “pinch-pest” test to assess the effects of nipple invagination on breastfeeding.
Nearly 40% of women who failed the test were required to wear a glass shield during pregnancy, which gradually stretched and loosened the unprojected nipples, correcting the effects of invagination. None of the other interventions were found to be as effective as the shield. In another study of 2461 primigravida, breastfeeding disorders with unsatisfactory nipples accounted for 2.2% of the total and breastfeeding disorders with satisfactory nipples accounted for 3.5%. We suggest that women with inverted nipples need not give up breastfeeding because of this and that nipple shields or breastfeeding can relieve themselves.
III. The truth of being able to breastfeed with an inverted nipple
The nipple itself accounts for some of the structural factors affecting infant latching. Babies can treat the nipple and the surrounding breast tissue as “nipples” in a ratio of 1:3, so mothers with inverted nipples should try to ensure that there is enough breast tissue for the baby to suck.
The warning bell rings.
One, nipple inversion must not be from infancy. It is a mistake that the family did not squeeze the nipple;
Second, nipple inversion pre-conception nipple correction device to correct, can receive good results;
Third, to exclude diseases that cause nipple retraction;
If inflammatory problems caused by nipple invagination occur after breastfeeding, further intervention by a breast surgeon is required.
In conclusion, the most important factor affecting breastfeeding is probably the incorrect breastfeeding position and method. The promotion of breastfeeding is of great benefit to the baby, the mother, the family, and even the society.