However, according to Petrie, the nipple will normally drop with age, with the degree of drop depending on your skin elasticity, breast size, number of pregnancies and other factors such a weight loss, smoking and genetics.
The degree of sagging is called 'ptosis' and is graded according to nipple position, graded from 1 (mild ptosis) to 3 (severe ptosis) where the nipple sits at the bottom of the breast, pointing downwards.
When the nipple complex is stimulated by touch, cold or sexual arousal, tiny muscle fibres contract, causing the skin to shrink and wrinkle the nipple to become erect.
However the weight of larger breasts, or breasts that expand during pregnancy and breastfeeding, can stretch the delicate skin, causing the nipple to drop.
Consultant plastic surgeon Niki Petrie, who is a specialist in breast reconstruction, says nipples will continually change with age, weight and hormone fluctuations.
