What type of nipple are you? (With descriptive diagram!)

Contributor: voenne voenne
I think that labeling one of them "normal" is not helpful because there is nothing abnormal about having any other type, and we are all unique. But it is interesting to see myself fall into a category with others. Thanks for sharing.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
Well, I have one flat and one that's inverted (stage 1). So this should have been multiple choice. LOL I think there's a lot of women that have only one inverted nipple out there.
Agreed because I have one flat and one normal.
03/19/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by AzealiaB
also forgot to add the descriptions of the types of inverted nipples:
Grade 1
These nipples can occasionally become everted from arousal, temperature changes, and stimulation. They can also protrude through manipulation by lightly squeezing ... more
Actually, what you are calling a "Grade 3 Inversion" is the only type of inversion that we consider "inverted" in lactation. The others, if they can pop out on their own, even with physical manipulation, are actually "flat" nipples.

It IS possible to breastfeed with fully inverted nipples. Adhesions can be broken with exercises and I have seen healthy newborn babies and breast pumps bring out even the most inverted nipples. We also use a device called an "Evert It" that is like a converted large syringe, with the end cut off and the plunger put in backwards, work to evert even a severely inverted nipple.


The other definitions aren't used in lactation in in most situations. Babies can pretty much grab hold of almost anything. I've seen bulbous nipples that may be difficult for tiny babies to grab, but they always manage, and if we have to use a nipple shield for a few weeks, that works for this, too.


This is what I do for a living, so I've seen babies nurse well on any of the "types" of inversion. I have yet to work with a nipple (and I've worked with thousands and thousands) that made breastfeeding "impossible." ;

Personally, mine are short and flat. One is flatter than the other, it's very common. My first baby completely everted it after only one or two feedings, and during those first two feedings she still managed to get what she needed from me. I have 8 years of breastfeeding kids under my belt, (more than 15 years total as a Lactation Consultant) combined with my 3 kids, so the shape of my nipples never slowed them down.
03/19/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
Well, I have one flat and one that's inverted (stage 1). So this should have been multiple choice. LOL I think there's a lot of women that have only one inverted nipple out there.
Most women who have an inverted nipple only have one. Almost always the other one everts with no problem.
03/19/2012
Contributor: dhig dhig
cool chart. i have flat nipples. had no idea there were so many different kinds! with names and all.
03/19/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I've seen double nipples (two nipples on one areola) and both produce milk, albeit from the same breast. These often look like the top of a heart. I've also seen "supernumerary nipples" which are "extra" nipples, usually under the arm or on the underside of the breast on the "milk line" of the body. They can even be on the body and torso.



We tell women to leave these nipples alone (as many have no actual nipple pore for milk to exit) and use small ice packs and they eventually stop producing milk in that area.

Nipples can also appear anywhere from the back, to behind the knee to the bottom of the foot.
03/19/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
I've seen double nipples (two nipples on one areola) and both produce milk, albeit from the same breast. These often look like the top of a heart. I've also seen "supernumerary nipples" which are "extra" nipples, usually ... more
Interesting. I didn't realize one could have nipples in so many places.
03/19/2012
Contributor: AzealiaB AzealiaB
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
I've seen double nipples (two nipples on one areola) and both produce milk, albeit from the same breast. These often look like the top of a heart. I've also seen "supernumerary nipples" which are "extra" nipples, usually ... more
wow that's pretty cool. also, what is a nipple shield?
03/19/2012
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
I've seen double nipples (two nipples on one areola) and both produce milk, albeit from the same breast. These often look like the top of a heart. I've also seen "supernumerary nipples" which are "extra" nipples, usually ... more
Wow... I had no idea
03/19/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
Somewhere between flat and short. I can't tell for sure because it's too chilly for them to go down all the way.
03/19/2012
Contributor: PeaceToTheMiddleEast PeaceToTheMiddleEast
Neat I have puffy nipples.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Mine are "normal/basic" most of the month, and "puffy" during my period.
03/19/2012
Contributor: scaredlittleboy scaredlittleboy
Quote:
Originally posted by voenne
I think that labeling one of them "normal" is not helpful because there is nothing abnormal about having any other type, and we are all unique. But it is interesting to see myself fall into a category with others. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, having one called normal is kinda shitty when they all appear healthy.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
It's a little hard to tell (photographs might be a little easier to interpret for me), but I think mine are normal. Or somewhere between formal and flat...?
03/19/2012
Contributor: pinkpottergirl pinkpottergirl
I am flat to inverted, which is also normal. As long as they aren't in pain or anything like that, your nipples are normal
03/19/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Agreeing that I hate that "normal" is a type, especially when so far the poll shows that other types combined account for a greater percentage of voters than the "normal" category. In either case, I'm somewhere between flat and short, but I voted short.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Pixel Pixel
I have nipple piercings, so they are always semi-erect. *shrugs* It's been so long since I have seen my nipples without my jewellery in them that I have no idea what they are!
03/19/2012
Contributor: corsetsaurus rex corsetsaurus rex
"flat" nipples sound boring. I guess I have boring nipples then #_#.
03/19/2012
Contributor: AzealiaB AzealiaB
Quote:
Originally posted by scaredlittleboy
Yeah, having one called normal is kinda shitty when they all appear healthy.
i know, i don't like it either...just what the article/drawing said.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Quote:
Originally posted by corsetsaurus rex
"flat" nipples sound boring. I guess I have boring nipples then #_#.
Mine are almost in that category... I prefer to think of our nipples as hm... recumbent? Supine? Imagine them just sort of reclining there on the areolas, leisurely. Not flat as in horizontal, but flat as in lying flat. Our nipples are just relaxed, enjoying a lazy life of luxury.
03/19/2012
Contributor: supercute supercute
normal nipples, tiny boobs though!
03/19/2012
Contributor: AzealiaB AzealiaB
men should vote in this poll too! they do have nipples, after all. my guy's are "normal", i believe.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
Quote:
Originally posted by Hallmar82
My wife has puffy nipples due to very large 36DD breasts. I love them just the way they are.
I have 36DD breasts (though I wear a tight 34 because I buy cheap bras and no matter what size I get, the bands stretch out) and my nipples/areolas aren't puffy. They're classified as "normal". You can have small breasts and still have puffy nipples/areolas. There isn't really a correlation. Just like big-breasted women MIGHT have bigger nipples/areolas but so might small-breasted women. And big-breasted women might have small nipples/areolas in the first place. It seems to be mostly chance.
03/20/2012
Contributor: AzealiaB AzealiaB
Quote:
Originally posted by Nazaress
I have 36DD breasts (though I wear a tight 34 because I buy cheap bras and no matter what size I get, the bands stretch out) and my nipples/areolas aren't puffy. They're classified as "normal". You can have small breasts and still ... more
hmm yeah i've never thought about whether or not the two are correlated.
03/23/2012
Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
Quote:
Originally posted by AzealiaB
hmm yeah i've never thought about whether or not the two are correlated.
Oh, I'm sure there's some slight correlation. I mean, it's only natural for big boobs to have big nipples. I'd say it's likely the "majority" of time but you never know and it's definitely not always the case. So I guess me saying "There isn't really a correlation" is probably a bit much but I'm definitely right in saying that it definitely isn't always the case and shouldn't necessarily "be expected", if that makes sense.
03/24/2012
Contributor: Deleted25 Deleted25
I have short nipples lol.
03/24/2012
Contributor: Falsepast Falsepast
i'm a puffy.
05/30/2012
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
My areolas are so pale, they blend into the rest of my breasts so I can't tell how far they actually cover (it might be different during arousal - have to check sometime). I have the basic nipple type, 40DD, and have never been pregnant/breastfed.
05/30/2012
Contributor: KittyGoesRawr KittyGoesRawr
Fascinating poll Well, according to that, I'm a puffy!
06/08/2012
Contributor: meezerosity meezerosity
Mine are tiny and flat. I think it ultimately led to my piercings rejecting over time I'm not anatomically suited for them very well.
06/08/2012