If you’ve been told you have flat or inverted nipples and you’re worried about what that means for breastfeeding, I want you to take a breath first.
Because here’s what I want you to know before we go any further: breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples is absolutely possible. Many mamas with flat or inverted nipples go on to breastfeed beautifully. It may take a little more preparation and support in the early days, but flat or inverted nipples alone are not a reason breastfeeding can’t work.
What makes the difference is knowing what you’re working with before baby arrives, having a plan, and having someone in your corner who understands how to help.
That’s exactly what this post is for.
What Are Flat and Inverted Nipples?
Not all nipples are the same shape, and that’s completely normal. Here’s a simple way to understand the differences.
Flat nipples don’t protrude very much from the areola when at rest. They may not stick out when stimulated, or they may protrude slightly but not enough for baby to easily draw in and maintain a latch.
Inverted nipples are pulled inward. There are varying degrees of inversion. Some nipples invert only when pressed and can be drawn out with stimulation. Others stay inverted regardless of stimulation. The degree of inversion affects what strategies will be most helpful.
A simple way to check: gently compress your areola between your thumb and forefinger about an inch back from the nipple. If the nipple protrudes, it is considered everted and should respond well with a little extra help. If the nipple stays flat or pulls inward, it is flat or inverted.
You’re not sure what you’re working with, this is a great thing to discuss at a prenatal visit.
Why Flat or Inverted Nipples Can Make Latching Harder
A baby latches onto the breast, not just the nipple. But the nipple does play an important role in triggering baby’s latch reflex and giving baby something to draw in and orient to.
When a nipple is flat or inverted, baby may have a harder time:
- getting enough to latch onto initially
- maintaining a deep latch once they’ve started
- triggering the rooting and sucking reflexes
This doesn’t mean breastfeeding is impossible. It means the early days may require more patience, support, and specific strategies to help baby get that first deep latch.
What You Can Do Before Baby Arrives
Preparing in advance gives you a real head start. Here are the strategies I walk mamas through prenatally.
Have a Prenatal Conversation With a Lactation Consultant
This is the most important thing on the list. Meeting with a lactation consultant before your baby is born allows us to assess your specific nipple anatomy, talk through what to expect, and make a plan tailored to your body.
Not every mama with flat nipples needs the same approach. Some do beautifully with simple positioning adjustments. Others benefit from specific tools or techniques. Knowing your situation before baby arrives means you’re not figuring this out at 2am while a hungry baby is screaming.
Consider a Nipple Shield as One Tool, Not the Answer
A nipple shield is a thin silicone cover that fits over the nipple and areola. It can give a flat or inverted nipple more shape for baby to latch onto, which can be really helpful in the early days.
Here’s what I want you to understand though: a nipple shield is a tool, not a solution. It can buy you time and help establish feeding while you work on latch and nipple eversion. But it works best when you have guidance on how to use it, when to use it, and how to eventually wean from it.
Too many mamas are handed a nipple shield in the hospital without any of that guidance, and they end up feeling stuck with it for months without knowing how to move on. If a shield becomes part of your plan, make sure someone is helping you use it intentionally.
Know About Breast Shells and Nipple Formers
Breast shells are small dome-shaped devices you can wear inside your bra during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. They apply gentle pressure around the areola, which can help encourage a flat or inverted nipple to protrude over time.
Nipple formers work similarly. Some mamas find them helpful, others don’t notice much difference. They’re generally safe to use in the third trimester, but I always recommend talking with your provider or a lactation consultant before starting.
Practice Hand Expression Before Baby Arrives
Hand expressing colostrum in the weeks before your due date serves two purposes. It can help draw out a flat or inverted nipple over time, and it gives you a small amount of colostrum to have on hand in case baby has trouble latching in the early hours.
Your provider or midwife can walk you through how to do this safely. Many mamas find it reassuring to have that skill before baby comes.
What to Do in the Early Days After Birth
Even with preparation, the first few days of breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples can require patience. Here’s what helps.
Use a Breast Pump Before Feeds
Running a breast pump for one to two minutes before a feeding can help draw out a flat or inverted nipple just enough to give baby something to latch onto. It also triggers letdown, which means milk is already starting to flow when baby latches, making the reward for baby much more immediate.
This strategy can be especially helpful in the early days while you’re both still learning.
Focus on Positioning
When a nipple isn’t prominent, positioning becomes even more important. Baby needs to approach the breast at the right angle to take in enough tissue for a deep latch.
The sandwich hold can be helpful. Gently compress the breast to make it a shape that matches baby’s mouth, long and narrow rather than round, so baby can take in more areola tissue more easily.
A lactation consultant can show you this in your home, with your baby, which makes it so much more useful than reading it in a book.
Keep Trying Without the Shield at Some Feeds
If you’re using a nipple shield, try offering the breast without it at the start of some feeds, when baby is calm and not deeply hungry. Some feeds will work. Some won’t. That’s okay. Every time baby latches without the shield, you’re moving in the right direction.
Give Yourself Grace in the First Week
The first week is hard for almost every breastfeeding mama, regardless of nipple shape. When flat or inverted nipples are part of the picture, it can add an extra layer of complexity. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re navigating something that requires more support than most mamas are given.
Reach out early. Don’t wait until you’re in tears at day five.
What About Milk Supply?
Flat or inverted nipples do not affect your ability to make milk. Milk supply is driven by the milk-making glands inside the breast, not by nipple shape.
What can affect supply is whether the breast is being drained effectively. If latch challenges lead to baby not transferring milk well, and the breast isn’t being fully emptied at feeds, supply can decrease over time.
This is why getting latch support early is so important. When feeding is effective, supply follows.
You Are Not Starting From a Disadvantage
I want to say this clearly, because I know how much worry can build up around this.
Flat or inverted nipples are a starting point, not a barrier. Mamas with flat nipples breastfeed. Mamas with inverted nipples breastfeed. With the right preparation and support, the shape of your nipple does not determine your breastfeeding story.
What does help is knowing what you’re working with, making a plan, and having someone you can call when things feel hard.
If you’re in Brownsburg, Avon, Plainfield, Zionsville, or the westside of Indianapolis, I would love to be that person for you. I come to your home so you don’t have to go anywhere.
👉 Book a free prenatal consult to talk through your specific situation
👉 Learn more about in-home breastfeeding support
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you breastfeed with flat or inverted nipples?
Yes. Breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples is possible and very common. Many mamas with flat or inverted nipples go on to breastfeed successfully, especially with early support and a few targeted strategies. Nipple shape affects how easy it is for baby to latch initially, but it does not affect your ability to make milk or to breastfeed long term.
How do I know if my nipples are flat or inverted?
Gently compress your areola between your thumb and forefinger about an inch back from the nipple. If the nipple protrudes outward, it is everted. The nipple stays flat or pulls inward, it is flat or inverted. If you’re unsure, a prenatal visit with a lactation consultant is a great opportunity to assess your nipple anatomy and talk through what to expect.
Will a nipple shield help with flat or inverted nipples?
A nipple shield can be a helpful short-term tool for flat or inverted nipples. It gives baby more shape to latch onto and can make getting started much easier. However, a nipple shield works best when you have guidance on how to use it intentionally and a plan for eventually nursing without it. Using a shield without support can sometimes lead to challenges with milk transfer or supply over time.
Do flat nipples affect milk supply?
Flat or inverted nipples do not directly affect how much milk you make. Milk production happens in the glands inside the breast, not in the nipple. However, if flat nipples lead to latch difficulties that prevent the breast from being fully drained at feeds, supply can decrease over time. Getting latch support early protects your supply.
What can I do during pregnancy to prepare for breastfeeding with flat nipples?
Meeting with a lactation consultant prenatally is the most valuable thing you can do. You can also ask your provider about breast shells or nipple formers, learn how to hand express, and gather information about what the early days might look like. Having a plan before baby arrives means you’re not starting from scratch when you’re exhausted and emotional in the first week.