Julie Bouchet-Horwitz, FNP-BC, IBCLC

A new product called “Supple Cups” has been demonstrated to facilitate nipple eversion for women who have flat or inverted nipples. Supple cups are small, easy to use, inexpensive and easily lengthen and evert the nipple through gentle suction. Identifying women at risk through prenatal assessment and using supple cups in the last three weeks of pregnancy reduces the risk of breastfeeding difficulties. The case studies represented here are the first 16 women who used supple cups with the author’s assistance. Eleven of the 16 women successfully breastfed their babies. Supple cups are an essential tool of the lactation consultant for prenatal and postpartum use in the home and hospital settings.