Do I Have Elastic Nipples: What Pumping Moms Should Know

Hi there! If you’re a new mom, it can be overwhelming at all the new terms that are coming your way. Exclusively breastfeeding, baby led weaning, silicone breast pump, and the list goes on and on. What about elastic nipples?

If you’ve come to this page, you’re wondering about elastic nipples and if you have them. This may be because you are exclusively pumping and notice a low milk supply. Or you may have pain with each pump session. Don’t worry! This post will guide you through the following: what elastic nipples are, how to tell if you have them, and solutions to help you while pumping.

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Information presented in this blog post is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed here are the personal opinions of the author only and should be interpreted as such. It is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice.

What are Elastic Nipples

The first thing any mom should know is that the areola (the skin on and around your nipple) is supposed to be stretched during breastfeeding. Nipple elasticity is normal!

Elasticity of the nipple only becomes a problem in the following two situations:

Too little elasticity causes problems with latching during breastfeeding. This issue can be seen as flat or inverted nipples.
Too much elasticity causes problems with pumping, which we will get to in the next section.

When a mom is pumping, stretching of the nipple is completely normal. In fact, the nipple should extend about halfway down the tunnel of the flange or slightly past that.

Elastic nipples are those that are stretched a little further. This can be to the end of the flange tunnel or even hitting the backflow protector.

What Does it Mean to Have Elastic Nipples?

Again, I want to reiterate that nipples that stretch are normal! Yet, elastic nipples become a problem when they lead to pain or discomfort during pumping. When pumping, the nipple should move freely in the flange with not too much areola being pulled in. The nipple shouldn’t touch or rub on the sides of the tunnel.

But with very elastic nipples, too much areola tissue is pulled into the flange. This can compress milk ducts and cause redness and soreness. Ouch!

woman pumping with breast pump spectra S1 elastic nipples

Not only do elastic nipples cause pain while pumping, but they can lead to low milk output. What a double whammy! When the milk ducts are compressed, they are not emptied. Thus, your body gets the signal that it doesn’t need as much milk. Then you start producing less and less. And the cycle continues.

And to top it all off, the compressed milk ducts and not emptying enough can cause clogged ducts. Clogged ducts occur when a milk duct is blocked or not draining enough. If a clogged duct is not relieved, it can progress to a serious infection called mastitis.

Please note: While clogged ducts and mastitis can be caused by elastic nipples, they are beyond the scope of this article. If you have any concerns related to clogged ducts or mastitis, please contact your doctor or lactation consultant.

How Can I Tell If I Have Elastic Nipples?

It’s vital to identify elastic nipples early on in your pumping journey. This is because of all the issues that they can cause.

Consult your doctor or lactation consultant if you think you have elastic nipples. You may notice that your nipples are stretched more than halfway during pumping. You may also notice you are having problems with pain while pumping and low milk output.

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Solutions for Elastic Nipples

If you and your lactation consultant determine that you have elasticity of your nipples, do not fret! There are ways to make pumping more comfortable and much more effective.

Solutions for Elastic Nipples Include:

Check flange size
Lubricate before pumping
Decrease vacuum level while pumping
Use a silicone flange
Use silicone inserts/cushions

Again, review these options with a lactation consultant.

Check Flange Size

With elastic nipples, the proper flange size is very important. This is so you can have a pain-free pumping session and optimize your milk output.

Here are the steps on measuring your flange size:

Using a ruler or piece of string, measure the diameter of your nipple in millimeters (mm). Be sure not to include the areola!
After measuring, add 3-4 mm to find your flange size.

Be sure to measure both nipples as nipple sizes vary. You may end up with different-sized flanges for each breast!

Lubricate Before Pumping

The pain caused by elastic nipples can be relieved by lubricating before pumping. This helps keep the nipple in place and prevents soreness from happening.

You can lubricate your nipples, the sides of your flange, or both! Here are three methods to lubricate before pumping breast milk:

Breast Milk. Hand-express breast milk before pumping. There’s nothing better than liquid gold for lubrication. Breast milk has antimicrobial properties and is very healing. A bonus to hand expressing is that it will help increase breast milk production. Win-win!
Coconut oil. Many moms use coconut oil to help lubricate nipples and flanges before pumping. Not only does coconut oil help minimize friction, but it’s great for your skin. And it’s safe for baby to consume! Look for unrefined coconut oil and consider a spray option for pumping on the go!
Do I Have Elastic Nipples: What Pumping Moms Should Know Another option is using 100% pure lanolin to lubricate before pumping. Found in popular nipple creams, lanolin is super moisturizing. It’s also free of preservatives, parabens, fragrance, or taste. It is important to note that lanolin can be a little thicker than the first two options. This may clog up pump parts and make them harder to clean.

Decrease Vacuum Level While Pumping

When you are pumping, the vacuum level should ALWAYS be set to a level that’s comfortable for you. It’s not a race to get to the highest suction level. Lowering the vacuum strength can help decrease the amount that the nipple stretches. This helps ease the pain and compression of your nipple and areola.

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Use a Silicone Flange

If you have elastic nipples, you may consider silicone flanges, such as the ones from Pumpin’ Pals. These BPA-free silicone flanges are made with Elast+Assist Technology™ (EAT). This technology is said to improve milk flow for those with elastic nipples.

The website for Pumpin’ Pals has a very helpful sizing quiz that will suggest a flange size for you! If you say that too much areola is being sucked in when pumping (an indicator of elastic nipples), Pumpin’ Pals will recommend the “Small Set”. This set includes extra small and small silicone flanges as well as a hard plastic medium flange.

Special Note about Pumpin’ Pals

Only the extra small and small silicone flanges have the Elast+Assist Technology™ needed for elastic nipples. The manufacturer states to NOT use lubrication with these silicone flanges.

The silicone flanges from Pumpin’ Pals work with the most popular breast pumps. This includes Medela, Spectra, and Lansinoh. The flange sets for Spectra, Ameda Mya, and Motif Luna include an adaptor that you can use for those breast pumps.

Use Silicone Inserts/Cushions

Another solution for elastic nipples is a silicone insert. The Beaugen Breast Pump Cushions are great examples. These cushions are inserted into your normal flanges and are compatible with most major breast pump brands.

The benefit of these silicone cushions is that they move with your nipple while you pump. Because of the silicone material, the cushion adheres to your skin, so it keeps your nipple in place. This eliminates any friction that can cause pain and soreness.

The Beaugen cushions will also help moms who are between flange sizes. The cushions are 1 mm thick, so it will make a standard flange about 2 mm smaller. For example, the Medela flanges come in 21 mm and 24 mm. If you are a 22 mm, you can get the 24 mm and use these inserts to get a perfect 22 mm match!

Frequently Asked Questions About Elastic Nipples

What are elastic nipples?

Elastic nipples refer to the flexibility and stretchiness of the nipple tissue. This characteristic allows the nipple to stretch and adapt to the baby’s mouth during breastfeeding or to the breast pump during pumping sessions.

How do I know if I have elastic nipples?

Assessing the elasticity of your nipples can be done by observing how they respond to stimulation. When gently tugged or stretched, elastic nipples should easily extend and then return to their original shape. This flexibility helps facilitate effective breastfeeding and pumping.

Can I increase the elasticity of my nipples?

The elasticity of your nipples is largely determined by genetics and individual factors. While you cannot significantly alter the inherent elasticity of your nipples, there are techniques that can enhance their adaptability. Regularly massaging and stimulating your nipples before breastfeeding or pumping can promote blood flow and help prepare the tissue for stretching.

Can elastic nipples affect breastfeeding or pumping?

Elastic nipples generally have a positive impact on breastfeeding and pumping. Their flexibility allows for better latching onto the baby’s mouth, which aids in milk transfer. When using a breast pump, elastic nipples can comfortably accommodate the suction and pulling motion of the pump, leading to more effective milk expression.

What if my nipples are not very elastic?

If you feel that your nipples are not as elastic as you would like, it’s important to remember that every breastfeeding and pumping experience is unique. While some moms naturally have more elastic nipples, others may not, and that doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. You can still breastfeed and pump successfully with less elastic nipples. Proper latch technique and finding the right breast pump settings can help compensate for any challenges you may face.

Can breastfeeding or pumping affect nipple elasticity?

Breastfeeding and pumping can have some impact on nipple elasticity, especially during the initial days or weeks when your body is adjusting to the demands of milk production. Regular breastfeeding or pumping stimulates the breast tissue, and over time, your nipples may become more flexible and resilient. However, any changes in nipple elasticity are usually temporary and should not cause long-term concerns.

When should I seek help if I’m concerned about my nipple elasticity?

If you have significant concerns about your nipple elasticity or are experiencing pain or difficulty during breastfeeding or pumping, it’s advisable to seek support from a lactation consultant or healthcare professional. They can assess your situation, provide personalized guidance, and help address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the challenges you’re facing.

Final Thoughts on Elastic Nipples

If you experience pain while pumping and suffer from low milk supply, elastic nipples may be the cause. Discuss with your doctor and lactation consultant to make sure. Know that you are not alone and this does not have to be the end of your breastfeeding/pumping journey! Some solutions can be tried that can help make pumping more comfortable for you! Plus, you may be able to increase the amount of milk you pump!

If you have elastic nipples, I would love to hear about your experience and what worked for you. Comment below and let’s chat!

Do I Have Elastic Nipples: What Pumping Moms Should Know

What are Elastic Nipples

What Does it Mean to Have Elastic Nipples?

How Can I Tell If I Have Elastic Nipples?