In these cases, it is often more difficult for the baby to attach to the nipple. However, protractility often improves during pregnancy and in the first week or so after a baby is born. Otherwise, there are alternative ways to breastfeed successfully with inverted nipples. 10. Breastfeeding females can spontaneously leak milk if they hear babies crying.

Demirel, G., & Guler, H. (2015). The effect of uterine and nipple stimulation on induction with oxytocin and the labor process [Abstract]. Session 7: Management of breast conditions and other breastfeeding difficulties. (2009). Infant and Young Child Feeding: Model Chapter for Textbooks for Medical Students and Allied Health Professionals.The let-down reflex occurs when the nerves in a person’s breast send signals that release the milk to the milk ducts so that it can start to come out of the nipples. According to an older study, there is also evidence to suggest that this secretion may attract newborns to the nipples. Although many factors can affect the nipples, if a person notices any discharge or changes in this part of the body, they should see a doctor.

Balakrishnan, T., & Madaree, A. (2010). Case report: Ectopic nipple on the sole of the foot, an unexplained anomaly [Abstract]. This mechanism is important for breastfeeding or expressing milk, but it can also happen at other times. For instance, it can happen when a female hears their baby crying or even thinks about their baby. It can also sometimes happen when another baby cries. 11. Bumps on the areolae are normal. Although inverted nipples can make it more difficult to breastfeed, they do not make it impossible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that changes to the nipples could be a sign of breast cancer. 14. Nipple cancer is a rare form of cancer, but it can happen. Krychman, M., et al. (2020). Novel topical formulation applied to the nipple-areola complex improves female orgasm [Abstract].https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/reconstruction-surgery/breast-reconstruction-options/reconstructing-the-nipple-and-areola-after-breast-surgery.html The genes responsible for the development of reproductive organs do not become activated until a later stage. 4. Accessory nipples exist. There has been a case of an accessory nipple occurring on the foot, for example. 6. Some people are born without nipples at all.

There are between 10 and 20 perforations in the skin of the nipples, called nipple pores, from which the milk exits the body. There are many types of nipples, including puffy, hairy, protruding, and inverted. These types are based on appearance and come with no health risks… READ MORE Fast forward to today, when fashion icons are putting their nipples on display with intention. In fact, nipples are now considered one of the hottest red carpet accessories ( we're looking at you, Kendall Jenner). With hashtags like #freethenips and #freethenipple, a braless moment or a tasteful nude is now considered a body-positive statement. After all, there are so many different types of breasts ( 9 types of boob shapes, actually) and nipples. Each person might have a different size, shape, or areola color, which isn’t something to be embarrassed about. In fact, your nipples are something to be proud of, because they’re part of YOU! According to the Center for Young Women’s Health, roughly 10–20% of females have an inverted nipple on at least one breast.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an inverted nipple can sometimes be nonprotractile, meaning that it does not stretch out when a person pulls it. Instead, the tip goes inward. Other research has shown that nipple stimulation can also have an effect on the duration of labor. A 2015 study found that stimulating the nipples during labor shortened the first stage of labor to an average of 3.8 hours. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. However, if a person notices that their nipples have changed drastically, and they are not pregnant, it is important that they visit their doctor.

Although any biological sex has nipples, the functions of nipples can differ. For a person of any sex, nipples can be an erogenous zone. However, the postpartum function of the nipple in people assigned female at birth is to aid in breastfeeding. One study demonstrated that during pregnancy, nipple length and width, as well as areola width, could increase significantly. Although these bumps are normal, a person should see a doctor if they become inflamed or secrete brown fluid. 12. Breast milk can come out of multiple places. Thanaboonyawat, I., et al. (2013). Pilot study of normal development of nipples during pregnancy [Abstract].

Although this will not affect a person’s health, it is important to keep inverted nipples clean. 9. Breastfeeding is still possible with inverted nipples. According to the Guinness World Records, in 2013, a person used their nipples to lift 71.87 pounds. 8. There are different types of nipples. Doucet, S., et al. (2009). The secretion of areolar (Montgomery’s) glands from lactating women elicits selective, unconditional responses in neonates.