maternalconcepts.com

The Evert-It™ Nipple Enhancer has two tip ends because each one applies suction differently. The narrow sleeve end lets you concentrate suction right at the base of the nipple, where adhesions can keep it from protruding. The cone end fits any nipple size and delivers suction across the nipple to help it evert. Which end you use depends on whether you are working on the base of the nipple or on general eversion and softening.

What each end is designed to do

Narrow sleeve end: targeted suction at the base

The narrower sleeve end is made for direct, concentrated suction pressure at the base of the nipple. That is where adhesions occur that may prevent the nipple from protruding as much as it could. If the nipple can be made to protrude or evert, the baby has a better chance of latching on.

Cone end: full-size coverage and eversion

The cone end accommodates all nipple sizes and can provide the same suction pressures to help the nipple evert. Because it covers the whole nipple rather than one spot, it is the more general-purpose end.

When to use which end

The manufacturer specifically recommends the cone end when using the device to draw milk out and soften an engorged areola. For working on adhesions at the nipple base, the narrow sleeve end is the one designed for that job.

Practical points before you choose an end

• Do not start before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The manufacturer does not recommend prenatal use of the Nipple Enhancer prior to 37 weeks.
• Cleaning is simple. Hot soapy water, a good rinse, and air drying are recommended. The soft tip is dishwasher safe, but repeated dishwasher cycles make the syringe hard to pull, so the manufacturer suggests cleaning only the tip that way. Boiling is possible if sterilization is needed; a small amount of shrinkage in the soft tip may occur, but suction should not be affected. Do not autoclave or microwave the device, as this affects the syringe.
• Sterilization is usually unnecessary. Because breastmilk has antibacterial properties, the manufacturer states sterilization should not be necessary.

If your main challenge is a nipple that will not protrude because of tightness at the base, start with the narrow sleeve end. If you are dealing with engorgement or want an all-purpose fit, the cone end is the intended choice.

Maternal Concepts® is a specialty breastfeeding product company that has supported women with special breastfeeding needs since 1997. It is aimed at mothers facing latching difficulties caused by flat, retracting, or inverted nipples, as well as families who need alternative or supplemental feeding methods for infants. Its product line centers on three devices: the Evert-It™ Nipple Enhancer, the Suckle-Cup™ Infant Feeder, and the SuppleMate™ Infant Care I & II.

Who the products are designed for

The company's stated focus is narrow and practical: breastfeeding situations that standard advice does not always solve. Based on the product descriptions on the site, the typical user is:

• A mother whose nipples are flat, retracted, or inverted, making it hard for her infant to latch on properly or at all.
• A mother with engorged or overly full breasts, where softening the areola helps the baby latch.
• A pregnant person past 37 weeks who wants to encourage nipple eversion before birth to make starting breastfeeding easier.
• A caregiver who needs to feed an infant by cup or supplemental method, rather than directly at the breast.

If breastfeeding is progressing without latch problems, these devices are not positioned as general-purpose accessories.

The three products at a glance

How the Evert-It™ works, and its limits

The Evert-It™ uses suction to encourage the nipple to protrude. The dual tip exists for two different jobs:

• Narrow sleeve end: applies concentrated suction at the base of the nipple, where adhesions may prevent optimal protrusion.
• Cone end: fits all nipple sizes and delivers similar suction pressure; the site specifically recommends the cone end for drawing milk out of the lactiferous sinuses when breasts are engorged.

The site states the device is not recommended before 37 weeks of pregnancy. That is a clear timing condition worth respecting rather than working around.

Care and sterilization: what the site says

Cleaning guidance is specific and includes a few trade-offs:

• Routine cleaning: hot soapy water, rinse well, air dry. The site notes that breastmilk's antibacterial nature means sterilization should not be necessary.
• Boiling: acceptable if sterilization is needed; a small amount of shrinkage may occur in the soft tip, but suction should be unaffected.
• Dishwasher: only the tip is dishwasher safe. Repeated dishwasher cycles make the syringe very difficult to pull.
• Do not autoclave or microwave — both affect the syringe.

Deciding whether this is relevant to you

Maternal Concepts® is worth looking into if your situation matches one of the described use cases: a latch problem tied to nipple shape or engorgement, a need to prepare nipples before birth after 37 weeks, or a need for cup or supplemental feeding. The site's FAQ answers practical questions about the Evert-It™ specifically, so it is the best starting point if that device is your reason for visiting.

Because these are described as medical devices used for feeding and latch support, the appropriate next step is to discuss the specific device with your lactation consultant or clinician, who can confirm whether it fits your situation and how to use it correctly.

The Suckle-Cup™ Infant Feeder and SuppleMate™ Infant Care I & II are supplemental feeding tools from Maternal Concepts® for babies with special breastfeeding needs. The Suckle-Cup™ is a soft, flexible, funnel-shaped cup used as an infant feeder. SuppleMate™ Infant Care I & II enables supplemental feeding while a baby nurses. Both are intended for situations where direct breastfeeding alone is difficult, and they work alongside breastfeeding rather than replacing it.

Suckle-Cup™ Infant Feeder

The Suckle-Cup™ is a cup-based feeder rather than a bottle. Its funnel shape and soft, flexible material let you control the flow of milk to the baby without a nipple, which can matter for infants who have trouble coordinating sucking or latching.

It fits situations such as:

• A baby who cannot yet latch or suck effectively at the breast
• Short-term feeding support while breastfeeding skills develop
• Feeding expressed milk or formula when a bottle nipple is not preferred or advised

Because it is a cup, the baby laps or sips rather than sucking, so the feeding rhythm is different from a bottle. Expect to go slowly and allow pauses.

SuppleMate™ Infant Care I & II

SuppleMate™ is designed for supplemental feeding while a baby nurses. In practice, this means the baby is at the breast and receives additional milk through the device at the same time. This is useful when:

• The mother's milk supply needs support while breastfeeding continues
• A baby needs extra intake but should keep practicing at the breast
• Supplementation is needed without switching the baby to a separate bottle feed

The "I & II" naming indicates two versions in the line; check the product page for which configuration matches your feeding plan.

Choosing Between Them

If the goal is to keep the baby practicing at the breast while adding intake, SuppleMate™ matches that. If the baby is not yet nursing and needs a controlled, nipple-free feed, the Suckle-Cup™ fits better.

Practical Notes Before You Start

• Confirm the plan first. Supplemental feeding devices are usually used under the guidance of a lactation consultant or your baby's clinician, who can confirm the volume and method for your situation.
• Check the current product page for the specific contents of each SuppleMate™ version, since the two configurations differ.
• Plan for slower feeds. Cup and supplemental feeding typically take more time and attention than a standard bottle.
• Watch for the baby's cues. Pauses, turning away, or milk spilling from the corners of the mouth are signals to stop and reset.

For cleaning and sterilization guidance on Maternal Concepts® devices, see the separate instructions for each product; the Evert-It™ page, for example, specifies hot soapy water and air drying rather than autoclaving or microwaving.

Wash the Evert-It™ Nipple Enhancer with hot soapy water, rinse it well, and let it air dry. That is the routine the manufacturer recommends. If you want extra assurance, you can boil the device, but expect the soft tip to shrink slightly; the suction should still work. The tip alone is dishwasher safe, while the syringe should stay out of the dishwasher. Do not autoclave or microwave the device, because heat treatment affects the syringe.

Routine cleaning: the default method

Maternal Concepts® states that, because breastmilk has antibacterial properties, sterilization should not be necessary. The standard cleaning routine is:

1. Wash the device in hot soapy water.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Air dry before the next use.

This applies to the whole device, tip and syringe included.

When you want more than washing

Boiling

Boiling is allowed if you decide sterilization is necessary. Two things to know before you do it:

• The soft tip may shrink slightly. The manufacturer says the suction should be unaffected.
• Boiling is a whole-device step, not a substitute for the routine wash.

Dishwasher

Only the tip is dishwasher safe. The manufacturer notes that the syringe becomes very difficult to pull after repeated dishwasher cycles, so keep the syringe out and clean it by hand.

What to avoid

Why the syringe drives the rules

The device pairs a soft tip with a syringe that creates suction. The cleaning limits all trace back to that syringe: repeated dishwasher exposure and high-heat methods like autoclaving or microwaving change how it performs, and a stiff or damaged syringe undermines the suction the device depends on. The tip is the more heat-tolerant part, which is why it can go in the dishwasher or survive boiling with only minor shrinkage.

A practical routine

For everyday use, hand-wash in hot soapy water, rinse, and air dry. If you want to sterilize — for example, before first use or after illness — boil the device and accept that the tip may shrink a little. Skip the dishwasher for the syringe, and never autoclave or microwave any part. If the syringe starts to feel stiff or hard to pull, that is the signal to check how you have been cleaning it.