“Elastic” nipples

This is all over the internet from pumping groups on social media to websites with special tools you can buy to “fix” this. Pictures of nipples going all the way into the tube part of the breast pump flange. So how does one have elastic nipples?

Well first you don’t have 1 part of your body that is elastic or stretchy, and the rest isn’t. Have you ever been told you were double jointed? Have party tricks of how you can hyperextend your elbow, shoulder, knees, fingers? Ever touch your thumb to your wrist?

If so you might have a hypermobility condition that does cause elasticity in not just your nipples, but your whole body! For many this shows up in their joints, allowing fingers to bend way past what’s normal, causing their ankles to roll and lack stability and support. However there are many other ways hypermobility can be seen in the body and it can effect every system. There is a very wide spectrum here, but joint issues and chronic pain and common in most hypermobility issues.

If you don’t have those flexible joints or skin on other parts of your body you likely don’t have a hypermobility issue, and likely are using incorrect flanges, causing issues when pumping.

Now if you do have some hypermobility, good news is we are knowledgeable about ways of supporting your body to comfortably make milk without causing additional pain or trauma to your body. Reach out today, we are here and happy to help both in person and virtually from anywhere in the world.