Breast feeding is usually possible, though it is more likely to be hard to get the baby to latch comfortably in the first weeks after birth; extra help may be needed.

On histological examination, these nipples have rich collagenous stromata with numerous bundles of smooth muscle.

Milk ducts are often constricted, and breast feeding is difficult, but not necessarily impossible.

With good preparation and help, babies often can drink at the breast, and milk production is not affected; after breastfeeding, nipples often are less or no longer inverted.

Histologically, atrophic terminal duct lobular units and severe fibrosis are seen.

The use of a breast pump or other suction device immediately before a feeding may help to draw out inverted nipples.

These methods are often used in preparation for breastfeeding, which can sometimes cause inverted nipples to become protracted permanently.

Breast shells may be used to apply gentle constant pressure to the areola to try to break any adhesions under the skin that are preventing the nipple from being drawn out.