Effective tips for elastic nipples

Elastic nipples are a common nipple issue that can cause pain and nipple damage during pumping. Read on to learn if you may have elastic nipple tissue.

What are elastic nipples?

Have you ever heard of elastic nipples? Yes, you read that correctly…it is a real condition!

Imagine when pumping your nipple is so stretchy it fills the whole flange tunnel and could even hit the end of the flange. That is what it’s like to have elastic nipples! I know this because it happened to me when I was exclusively pumping with my twins. At the time, I was a first time mom, I checked my flange size, thought everything was correct and yet even with bigger flanges my nipples were hitting the end!! Later I realized that it was because I had elastic nipples…

https://www.genuinelactation.com/blog-for-breastfeeding-families/allaboutelasticnipples

The same hormone, relaxin, that allows our joints to become more flexible during pregnancy, is responsible for the stretch in our nipples postpartum. This is a good thing! We want there to be some stretch to the skin around our nipples to allow for a successful latch when nursing.¹ Most of the time if a parent is exclusively nursing, they will not know how much their nipples are stretching because you cannot see the skin. However, for those of us who have pumped, it is easy to see the skin and nipple stretching inside the flange. 

If you do NOT have elastic nipples and have a properly fitting flange, your nipple will stretch about halfway down the tunnel of the flange. When you have elastic nipples, the stretching goes beyond halfway and sometimes can even reach the end of the flange.^1,2

https://savethemilk.com/do-you-have-elastic-nipples/

Are elastic nipples dangerous?

Having elastic nipples in itself is NOT dangerous to you or your baby. You can absolutely keep nursing your baby with elastic nipples.  However, if the elasticity is causing pain, clogs, scabbing, or change in output these can be issues that need to be addressed.²

If you think you have elastic nipples there is some troubleshooting you can do:

1. Measure your nipple with our nipple ruler and make sure you have a properly fitting flange.  We may think we have elastic nipples when really we have the wrong flange size. If a flange is too big, the breast tissue will be sucked into the flange mimicking elastic nipples (and causing a lot of pain!). Sometimes it is hard to tell so if you are unsure, reach out to one of us and book a consult, we would be happy to help! 
2. Try turning the suction on your pump down.² If the flange is the right size and you are still experiencing pain, try lowering the suction. More suction does not equal more milk (especially if there is pain!)

https://mindfulnessmama.com/elastic-nipples-symptoms-solutions/

I troubleshooted, and yes I have elastic nipples! What can I do?

If your elastic nipples are not causing an issue then there is nothing you need to do! If you are experiencing pain then here are some things you can try:

1. Lubricate your nipples! This will help decrease the friction between the plastic and your skin when pumping.¹
   1. Coconut oil
   2. Motherlove Nipple Cream
   3. Earth Mama Nipple Butter
2. Breast Pump Cushion inserts – these go inside your flange and help hold your breast tissue (areola) back so it will not be sucked as far into the tunnel of the flange. 
3. Adjust your flange size (this is what worked for me)- you may need to increase your flange size to accommodate the stretching however upsizing your flange may allow even more tissue to enter the tunnel causing pain, clogs and decreased output. (You can find small to medium flange sizes for Spectra here, Medela here, and most other brands or brand compatible on Amazon).  

Remember, if you find that you do have elastic nipples do not panic!! It is not a dangerous condition for you or your baby and unless you are experiencing issues, there is nothing you even need to do. Hopefully you find the troubleshooting tips above helpful and you can have a more pleasant experience when pumping with elastic nipples! 

Have more questions? 

Schedule a text or video chat consult with Kate, Lauren or Natalie and they can help answer any questions that you have!

Other helpful blog posts:

• 5 common nipple issues
• Blocked ducts and mastitis 
• Breast rest
• How to store breastmilk
• Signs of an oversupply
• Transitioning from breastmilk or formula to milk
• All about nipple shields
• Why you should use a Haakaa and how to do it properly

Download our free nipple ruler to make sure you’re using the correct flange size.

Are you exclusively pumping? Download our free exclusive pumping sample schedules for 0-12 months of age.

Sources:

¹https://www.beaugen.com/blogs/news/how-to-tell-if-you-have-elastic-nipples-and-what-you-can-do-about-them 

²https://www.spectrababyusa.com/do-i-have-elastic-nipples/