i feel stupid even asking this question, but here goes...

Mrs. TLC · October 2010

ok ladies. So i have very prominant bumps around my nipple, i call them "mini nipples" (i know thats not actually what they are, but dont know what to call them) all around my areola. they don't "come out" unless my nipple is stimulated.

here's the dumb question.... milk only comes out of the "real" nipple, right? it won't come out of these, too, will it? if not, then what the heck are these bumps?

also, did the length of your nipple increase towards the end of your pregnancy/after LO started nursing? my MW said she thinks i have flat nipples (they aren't nearly as long as what i've seen on the BFing videos) and that i should get a set of "breast shells" now to try to draw out the nipple. Is this necessary? or will they "draw out" on their own? I feel like they have started to do that in the last week or so, but may just be my imagination..

TIA for answering my questions!

ncbelle · October 2010

The name of the bumps escapes me but they are normal - and no milk comes from them ;-) They do secrete a lubricating substance - but it's not something you are likely to ever notice. You do have multiple ducts in your breasts and multiple openings on your nipples where milk will come out - so don't be alarmed if you see multiple streams ;-)

Nursing does "draw out your nipples" - I'd go with your midwife's advice - can't hurt to have them on hand if you need them. After you've established nursing, you should be able to wean off the shields if you do end up needing them at first. Newborns need more help latching than older babies so if they are flat, you may need something to give baby an extra hand.

Mrs. TLC · October 2010

ncbelle:
The name of the bumps escapes me but they are normal - and no milk comes from them ;-) They do secrete a lubricating substance - but it's not something you are likely to ever notice. You do have multiple ducts in your breasts and multiple openings on your nipples where milk will come out - so don't be alarmed if you see multiple streams ;-)
Nursing does "draw out your nipples" - I'd go with your midwife's advice - can't hurt to have them on hand if you need them. After you've established nursing, you should be able to wean off the shields if you do end up needing them at first. Newborns need more help latching than older babies so if they are flat, you may need something to give baby an extra hand.

thanks!

the shields she was referring to are not nipple shields, they are meant to be worn during pregnancy to draw out your nipples, they are like a plastic shield with a hole cut out for the nipple to be pulled through....

link -> https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Soft-Shells-Inverted-Nipples/dp/B000058DPM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1286584827&sr=8-4

my doula (also a LC) (who doesnt have much faith in my CNM) said to wait until she sees me next week so she can look at my nipples and see if there's cause for concern before i spend the money.....

thanks again for the quick reply! i feel better now

hollywoodgirl311 · October 2010

I think I know what you are talking about with the bumps, I have the same thing that goes all around the regular nipple on the areola. Those bumps don't secrete milk like the nipple does. Though I have seen when trying to self express some milk before helping DD latch that a drop of milk sometimes does come out of one of those bumps. It must be connected somehow to my milk ducts but they don't leak or pour out milk like the rest do. So I guess what I am saying it, it's not going to feed your baby there but it may drip at times

I don't think that your nipple will get longer towards the end. Generally when your milk comes in and you get engorged it makes even a longer nipple harder to grasp for a newborn and becomes more flat. The shells should help now and if your baby has trouble latching you can use a nipple shield to help them eat. There are other tricks like self expressing a bit or pumping a little to soften the nipple before you feed your LO which makes it easier for them to latch onto a flat nipple.

Hope that helps!

Mrs. TLC · October 2010

hollywoodgirl311:
I think I know what you are talking about with the bumps, I have the same thing that goes all around the regular nipple on the areola. Those bumps don't secrete milk like the nipple does. Though I have seen when trying to self express some milk before helping DD latch that a drop of milk sometimes does come out of one of those bumps. It must be connected somehow to my milk ducts but they don't leak or pour out milk like the rest do. So I guess what I am saying it, it's not going to feed your baby there but it may drip at times
I don't think that your nipple will get longer towards the end. Generally when your milk comes in and you get engorged it makes even a longer nipple harder to grasp for a newborn and becomes more flat. The shells should help now and if your baby has trouble latching you can use a nipple shield to help them eat. There are other tricks like self expressing a bit or pumping a little to soften the nipple before you feed your LO which makes it easier for them to latch onto a flat nipple.
Hope that helps!

thanks!!! that does help! good to know about the bumps, good to know so i don't get confused if it happens. glad to know i'm not a freak, lol

so i guess i might just go ahead and get the shells. she said it only takes like a week of wearing them to get the nipples to come out better.

Stacyc625 · October 2010

the extra bumps go away. don't worry. as the others said- they won't secrete milk.

you are talking about nursing shells. they can help draw the nipple out- but i wouldn't try them until like a week or two before baby is closer. nursing itself is the best to draw the nipple out-

cg0112358 · October 2010

I believe the bumps you are talking about are called Montgomery glands.

CaitlinJ22 · October 2010

the shells are great, but I wouldnt use them unless you needed it after you have the baby.

They are also great to wear right away when you have LO so that you can air your nipples out under your bra so they will heal from any soreness you may have. Thats what I used them for. They are also great so that your bra doesnt rub against your nipples.

rjmagness · October 2010

I have the shells- they are fabulous! I have inverted nipples and WISH!! I had worn them in my last tri as they are supposed to be worn. I was given them in the hospital after I delivered along with nipple shields...which created a disaster..I wish I had never used the damn things!

They worked like a champ- they are great too once you do start to nurse as they have another piece that can be used to protect your nipples from rubbing on your bra.

Medela makes good ones that are less noticable then the ameda ones.

FancyFrenchie · October 2010

Or you can use a pump to stimulate the nipple and pull it out. That's what I did, but I didn't know my nipples weren't good enough until the baby was born and it was only until day 4 that I could get him to latch on.

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