Yes, it can look like you’re “growing extra nipples” in pregnancy, but what’s really happening is usually one of two things:

  1. previously hidden extra breast/nipple tissue is suddenly waking up, or
  2. normal breast and skin changes are just more dramatic than expected.

Quick Scoop: Can You Grow Extra Nipples When Pregnant?

The short, straight answer

  • You don’t literally “grow brand‑new” nipples from scratch in pregnancy.
  • Some people are born with hidden extra nipples or breast tissue (called supernumerary nipples or accessory breast tissue) that only become obvious once pregnancy hormones kick in.
  • Those extras can swell, darken, and in some cases even leak milk, so it can feel like they appeared out of nowhere.

What’s actually going on?

During early embryo development, a “milk line” (mammary ridge) runs from your armpits down toward your groin.

  • Normally, almost all that tissue regresses, leaving two breasts and two nipples.
  • If that regression is incomplete, you may have:
    • Small flat or mole‑like spots that are actually extra nipples.
* Tiny patches of glandular breast tissue along the milk line (armpit, chest, abdomen, even near the groin).

Pregnancy hormones (estrogen, progesterone, prolactin) then make all breast tissue react:

  • Hidden accessory tissue can:
    • Enlarge or become lumpy.
* Darken or form what looks like a new areola/nipple.

* Occasionally produce milk during lactation.
  • This is why people online describe “growing nipples in my armpits” or “finding out I actually have 4 nipples” during pregnancy.

So the “extra nipples when pregnant” phenomenon is really congenital tissue revealing itself under hormonal stress, not your body inventing brand‑new anatomy overnight.

How common is this and is it dangerous?

Extra nipples or breast tissue are not super rare, just often unnoticed.

  • Estimates suggest:
    • Around 1–6% of women (and men) have some form of supernumerary nipple or accessory tissue.
  • Most are:
    • Harmless variants of normal anatomy.
* Discovered by accident during:
  * Pregnancy
  * Puberty
  * Breast exams or imaging

Risks / concerns:

  • Usually benign, but:
    • Accessory tissue can get tender, swollen, or irritated (especially in the armpit with bra straps or seams).
* Very rarely, the same diseases that affect regular breast tissue (like tumors) can occur there, which is why doctors still like to know it exists.

Most people don’t need any treatment unless:

  1. It’s painful, constantly irritated, or interfering with daily life.
  1. There are suspicious changes (rapid growth, hard lump, skin dimpling, bleeding, etc.).
  1. Cosmetic reasons: some choose surgical removal simply because they dislike how it looks.

What this can look like in real life

Based on case reports and forum stories, people describe things like:

  • “I thought it was a mole/skin tag; in pregnancy it puffed up and turned into a tiny nipple.”
  • “There was a lump toward my armpit that got bigger and sore, then darkened and looked nipple‑ish as my pregnancy progressed.”
  • “I just found out I have 4 nipples when my boobs changed in pregnancy.”

Medical literature backs this up:

  • Accessory nipples can be on or off the classic milk line, and sometimes only become obvious in pregnancy or puberty.
  • One report described a new areolar‑like growth becoming apparent late in pregnancy as hormones climbed.

When should you get it checked?

Pregnancy changes are wild, but any new lump, bump, or “extra nipple” area is worth showing to a clinician just to be safe.

Call your OB/midwife or a GP/dermatologist if you notice:

  1. A new or rapidly growing lump near the breast or along the chest/abdomen.
  1. A “mole” that:
    • Changes color or shape
    • Starts to look like a nipple/areola
    • Becomes painful, crusty, or bleeds
  1. Persistent pain, redness, or warmth (to rule out infection or inflammation).

They may:

  • Examine it and reassure you it’s just accessory tissue.
  • Use ultrasound or other imaging if something seems atypical.
  • Offer removal if it’s symptomatic, cosmetically bothersome, or unclear.

Quick TL;DR

  • Can you grow extra nipples when pregnant?
    You don’t normally grow brand‑new nipples, but existing hidden extra nipples or breast tissue can become obvious, bigger, darker, and even produce milk in pregnancy.
  • Is it dangerous?
    Usually no—most are harmless anatomical quirks, though any new or changing lump should still be checked by a doctor.
  • What to do if you notice one?
    Mention it at your next prenatal visit; seek earlier review if it’s painful, changing quickly, or just really worrying you.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.