Breast Tips: All You Need To Know – Parenthood

This question is controversial: breast tips yes or no? Breast tips are a product that can be very useful during breastfeeding if they are used when they are really needed and for a limited time.

Many mothers use a nipple tip when it is not really needed. They find that the baby has a bad grip or notice cracks, and without knowing what is really causing the bad grip, they use a nipple.

It is important to assess grip with pain or crevices, but the nipples are not the solution to poor adhesion, although they can help you at times, as we will see below.

In fact, on some occasions a nipple tip can interfere with the transfer of milk to the baby, and when it comes to removing it, it can also be a difficult process. For this reason, it is not recommended to use breast tips. If you do, you should still be supervised by a lactation consultant or other lactation professional.

What is a nipple?

A breast tip is a breastfeeding product that attaches to the breast and adapts to the nipple and areola. They are currently made of silicone. They are fine and soft like a second skin. They are placed on the nipple so that your baby sits well on your breast.

There are different sizes of nipple tips, so if you need to use any it is important that you know your nipple size. The measurement is taken by measuring the base of the nipple. Depending on the brand of nipple tips, you will find several sizes, which is why it is important to know yours and buy the one that suits you best.

When are breast tips needed?

If you experience pain or cracks, the first thing to do is to assess your baby’s grip, posture, oral cavity among others, to identify the problem and resolve it if necessary. The reasons why breast tips can be really useful are:

• The baby has difficulty latching on. As we have just said, the first thing to do would be to assess the problem so that you do not become dependent on that piece of breast. Depending on the problem, the professional will tell you whether or not you should use a nipple.
• In case of ankyloglossia or short frenulum. The presence of a short frenulum in the baby may be one of the reasons why he is not able to latch on well. The short frenulum does not allow the baby to have adequate sucking and in some cases prevents the baby from using his tongue properly.

• In premature babies, because they don’t suck as hard as a full term baby.
• With flat nipples or inverted nipples, they are not necessary at all, which is why their use will always be determined by a lactation consultant or professional.

How to position the nipple correctly?

You have to learn how to position the nipple correctly, otherwise there could be poor transfer of milk to the baby and the milk production could also be affected. To position it correctly, locate the nipple then fold the edge of the breast tip over the areola and breast

How do you know when you can stop using a nipple?

The fact of having to use a nipple at each feeding is generally binding for the mother. For this reason, mothers often want to stop using it as soon as possible. However, you will only be able to do this when it has been proven that your baby can do without it. If you don’t do it gradually, your baby may reject your breast or fail to suck properly.

Likewise, if you are having trouble stopping using it, you should also go to a lactation consultant or professional to accompany you during this process, as there are times when it will not be easy for your baby. to take the breast without a breast tip.

In summary, we hope to have answered all your doubts about the use of the nipple tip. However, if the problems persist in this regard, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional, as they will be able to guide you better.