Education
Welcome back to Six Minute Sex Ed, the podcast that helps people talk about sex, relationships, and growing up. Created and hosted by Sex Education Teacher Kim Cavill. Find her at www.teaandintimacy.com - https://twitter.com/sexposparenting - https://www.instagram.com/sixminutesexed/ This week’s episode is level one, making it perfect for listeners of any age. Today, we’re going to answer the question, “Why do people have nipples?” Resources for adults: https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/why-do-men-have-nipples#other-conditions-to-watch-for https://www.livescience.com/32467-why-do-men-have-nipples.html What are nipples? Nipples are small bits of flesh that stick out from the breast tissue, which is found on the chest in humans. Typically, most humans have two nipples, though 1 in 18 people have more than two. Nipples aren’t all the same, either. Nipples can be flat, inverted, protruding, multiple, or divided. Who has nipples? All human beings have nipples because of the way human beings develop. Think of it like this: we all start out as gender-neutral and 6 - 7 weeks into our development, when we’re about the size of a sweet pea, for some of us, something called a Y chromosome creates changes that make testicles develop and others experience changes that make breast development different. Animation of human development at 6 weeks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo08MuZJgEk Gorillas breastfeeding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlGZ1QY3_uI Manatees breastfeeding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0SNfRFp3iA Why do people have nipples? Nipples do a few different things. One of the most important things they do is feeding breastmilk to babies. When babies are first born, they don’t have the teeth to eat pizza or broccoli like you do. They need breastmilk or formula in order to survive until they are big enough to eat other foods. Special glands called lobules inside breasts produce breastmilk. Those lobules connect to ducts, or tiny little tubes which move the milk from the glad to the nipple, where the breastmilk comes out. Babies can suckle the breastmilk out and so can machines called breast pumps. Humans breastfeeding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2f6fWo0kVQ How to people take care of their nipples? Nipples are sensitive, so it’s important to be gentle with them. They can be washed with soap and water, just like other body parts, and it’s important for adults to gently feel their breasts and nipples once a month to look out for any changes in the way they look for feel because those changes can be a sign to see the doctor and get a checkup. Conversation starter: Tell someone you trust what part of your body you wish you knew more about Thanks for listening!