Inverted nipples in a pre-pubescent 8 yr old

[Mum2021askingquestion]

When my DD was born I noticed she had inverted nipples. She was always a podgy baby so I wondered if it was that, nipples hidden by baby fat. However as she has aged and grown slimmer she still has very definitely inverted nipples.

As someone who grew up and was awar of laughter and mockery around the concept of inverted nipples (as a teen, a friend jokingly made up that I had an inverted nipple and used to tease me about it. It was very friendly and silly and I happily proved that I didn't to another friend to kill the joke) I worry that one day my daughter will be on the receiving end of teasing like this for real

My main question is: is this something I can / should try and get addressed medically while she is young?

Being a teenage girl is scary enough for someone with a perfect body and face, and I worry my wonderful daughter will have her confidence ruined if a teenage boy talks about her intimate body one day.

My daughter once or twice mentioned that my / her brother's nipples stick out but hers don't and I just gave a very lighthearted 'were all born different' answer and she hadn't brought it up again, so she has no current issue

Very grateful for views of anyone else who has had similar for their child / themselves

Hi,

I had inverted nipples as a child. When I started puberty they became less inverted and sort of laid flat (would become erect if touched or got cold.) As my breasts grew the problem corrected itself enough to stop me being so self conscious. After breastfeeding two babies they aren't inverted at all!

I wouldn't rush to do anything yet and see how things might improve when she starts growing breasts!

Both my sons have one inverted nipple. Wondering if that will always be the case or not.

Thanks so much for replying Baffled

This is good to read, I was hoping it might correct itself during puberty.

I'm semi tempted to say we'll happily fund surgery if needed when she is older (I'd never offer this, only if asked by DD) but having breastfed two children myself the idea of taking that away from her feels wrong. Hard to weigh up a 16 yr old's desire to fit in vs a 30 yr old's potential desire to give their child the best start in life. That feels a heavy burden for me to carry due to something which might not even bother her.

Don't fund surgery for this. Spend the money on music or sports lessons and build your daughter's confidence. Not one of us is perfect but growing up involves accepting ourselves for who we are.

BTW your friends were rather weird, and I don't think "having an inverted nipple" is a common insult.

I had one inverted nipple as a child and the other wasn't. Like a pp said, it seems to have sorted itself out so may be nothing to worry about :)

I had them as a kid, post puberty they’re generally quite flat except for when I’m freezing or breastfeeding. I can honestly say of all the body hang ups I had as a preteen nipples weren’t one of them. Really wouldn’t consider it as something that surgery would be needed for (and I say that as someone who wouldn’t rule it out for other things, I saw a couple of friends have their lives changed in late teens/early 20s after nose/jaw corrections etc).

I don't remember anyone ever commenting on inverted nipples (how would they know?), but I do remember nipples showing through clothes was a source of great anxiety and shame for some teen girls (I remember very dark nipples being an angst thing too).

Teenagers are prone to anxiety about their bodies, especially points of difference. I don't think you can predict which bits/characteristic will be fixated on (or even if they will at all) in a particular time and place.

I agree with pp that a better investment than surgery (if that were even possible) would be anything that helps to build your dd's resilience and self esteem.

(Flat nipples here, possibly inverted pre puberty, can't remember - noone ever noticed but it was a pita for breastfeeding, but ironically also "cured" by breastfeeding)

This is all really reassuring to read, thanks.
I really do appreciate you sharing your experiences with me