The breast model is a useful breastfeedingeducation tool for lactation consultants andcounsellors.

The breast model in this guide is double sided, ithas 1 normal nipple and 1 inverted nipple, bothdecorated with Montgomery's glands!

This cloth breast model sewing method is anoriginal creation by May Lam, mother of LilyYeoh, IBCLC. It is adapted from the breast modeltaught in breastfeeding counsellor courses.

You are welcome to use this guide without askingfor permission, as long as credit is given.

Happy sewing.

-Lily Yeoh, IBCLC

Do-It-Yourself Cloth Breast Model Guide

You'll need:

• Candy Socks x 1

• Sewing Needle x 1

• Threads (matching the sock's colour)

• Yarn (Black / Dark Brown)

• Felt (Dark Brown)

• Cotton fillings / polyester stuffing

• Elastic band

What does candy socks looks like?

Candy socks looks like this. The material is similar to pantyhose but much shorter.

I bought them from SoxWorld @ MYR11 for 5 pairs.

STEP 1: MAKE THE FIRST NIPPLE

The first nipple will become inverted later…

We start by forming the nipple on the inverted side.

Firstly, turn the sock inside-out,

do a running stitch on the tip of the sock (where your toes are),

following the edge from one side to another.

Then, gently pull the thread to gather the fabrics together.

Tie a knot.

Use yarn to loop around the tip you just formed.

Leave about 5cm extra yarn at the beginning so that you can tie a knot with it,

loop yarn around for more than 10 times, tie a tight knot and cut off extra yarns.

Cut felt into two 7cm diameter round pieces,

or whatever size you prefer the areola to be.

Mark the center.

Attach one of the felt pieces onto the tip of the nipple.

Turn socks back to the correct side, now you see an areola!

Loop threads around the base of the nipple, tie a knot to form nipple.

It's not inverted yet, we'll take care of that later.

STEP 2: MAKE THE SECOND NIPPLE

The second nipple will be a normal nipple.

It's time to insert cotton fillings / polyester stuffings, fill up half of the sock.

Use needle and thread to make a knot to secure the end.

Loop the knot with yarn like the first one,

then cut off extra yarns.

Cut an X shape in the center of the piece of felt we prepared earlier.

Insert sock into the hole of the felt.

Turn the sock all the way inside out to wrap around the breast.

(Pic above is only turned half way)

Do a running stitch around the nipple.

Tighten thread gently to gather fabrics, tie a knot to complete the nipple.

You may stitch through the nipple to hide your knot. (Do not cut off thread yet)

The normal nipple has complete!

STEP 3: MAKEMONTGOMERY'S

GLANDS

If you have not cut off the thread,

continue to stitch through the nipple and part of areola,

exiting your needle from a random spot of the areola.

Randomly making knots around the areola to create Montgomery's glands.

Randomly making knots around the areola to create Montgomery's glands.

STEP 4: MAKE AN INVERTED NIPPLE

We've completed the second nipple,

now its time to make an inverted nipple out of the first one.

To do that, we have to cut a small opening on the inner part of the sock's cuff.

Then we will insert an elastic band into the opening.

If you do not have elastic band like this one, you may use a rubber band instead.

Use needle and thread to bring in the elastic band.

If you are using rubber band, since rubber bands are short,

you may want to place a clip at the end, so that it won’t slide in all the way.

Gather the fabrics until it surrounds the nipple,

while still allowing the nipple to protrude if we stretch the elastic band.

Tie a knot.

Cut off extra elastic band.

With a little stretch, the knot will be hidden into the fabrics.

Don't forget to add Montgomery's glands for this areola as well!

You may adjust the opening up and down to form different types of nipples.

Look! Here's a flat nipple.

Hide the nipple all the way inside, and there we have an inverted nipple!

Please note that this inverted nipple does not respond to the syringe nipple puller at all, therefore it's not suitable to demonstrate this method.

CREDITAn original sewing idea by May Lam.

Text & guide written by Lily Yeoh, IBCLC.

Published in www.angggugu.com

You are welcome to use this guide without asking for permission, as long as credit is retained.