From licking to sucking, stroking to clamping, nipples can offer a lot of fun for couples or singles looking to enhance their pleasure.

Teasing your partner’s nipples to get them hot and bothered or to heighten pleasure during the throes of passion (say, when you want to tease your partner and delay their orgasm) are just a couple of really great ways to enjoy nipple play—and to pay attention to more of your partner than just their genitalia! After all, nipples are an erogenous zone—they not only look good, but they feel even better!

Did you know that for some people it is actually possible to bring someone to orgasm through nipple pleasure alone!? Each nipple has hundreds of nerves, and when touched can spark feelings in the brain similar to clitoral or genital stimulation.

Communicating About Nipple Play

Communication is the first and most important step. Every anatomy is different, and what people want can range as well. Make sure to ask your partner:

1. “Do you like nipple stimulation?”
   

2. If the answer to question one was, “yes,” you can dig a little deeper:
   “What kind of nipple stimulation do you like? Oral teasing? Light kisses? Biting?”
   

If they don’t know the answer, have a conversation about experimenting to see what they’re into.

3. “What do you want me to call this part of your body?” While you’re exploring this upper torso region of the body, it’s good to get the right language down. Maybe they like something other than ‘breast’ or ‘chest’. Respecting folks’ chosen language is part of having hot, consensual sex!
   

Did you know that for some people it is actually possible to bring someone to orgasm through nipple pleasure alone!?

Once you’ve communicated with your partner and have a few ideas to try out, you can get into the fun. There is plenty to explore with nipple pleasure, but the tips below make great starting points (no pun intended!).

Start Slow

Work your way into nipple play by kissing their mouth, then working your way down your partner’s neck and chest until you find the nipple. You can begin by using your hands to manually play with the breast or chest area, then use your mouth to deliver teasing kisses.

Start with a light kiss on the the areola (that darker circle around the nipple), then slowly try out a lick or two. If your partner moans or asks for more, you can either swirl your tongue around the nipple, or take it into your mouth and suck gently.

If the nipple itself is too sensitive, you can either try these techniques along the areola, or just use your breath, not even touching the skin.

Take Your Time

Make sure your partner is in a comfy position, especially if you anticipate them being there for a while. Use a light touch to circle the chest/breast area, building anticipation.

Start with a light kiss... then slowly try out a lick or two.

Explore all areas of your partner’s chest, alternating between focusing on the nipples and kissing the skin surrounding the area. If they love having their nipples played with, this allows you to tease them a little, which can heighten enjoyment. If they are particularly sensitive, it gives them a break while still being the subject of your focus and energy.

Erect Nipples? Probably A Good Sign

Though this isn’t true for everyone, erect nipples can mean that your partner is feeling aroused! Start to rub slowly, then ramp it up. If they respond well (moaning, verbally affirming), you can try a light pinch, twist, pull, or suck.

Switch Up Your Technique

Nipples are rich with a network of nerve endings, the tenderness of which varies from person to person and from day to day, depending on mood, hormonal cycle or injury. Some people who have menstrual cycles actually like nipple stimulation more when they’re PMSing, and some don’t want you to come near their chest with a ten foot pole. Find out which camp your partner is in, and be open to changing up your play depending on how your partner is feeling that day.

Nipples are rich with a network of nerve endings, the tenderness of which varies from person to person and from day to day.

Either way, what feels good for a few seconds may feel less exciting or even start to become uncomfortable after ten minutes straight. Vary your techniques!

Taking Nipple Pleasure A Little Further

Many people are contented with nipple pleasure that just involves hands and/or the mouth. However, there are many other techniques and toys that can really add to the enjoyment! To name a few:

1. Mix it up with alternating warm and cool sensations using ice, warm oil—though not scalding!—and tingling creams.
   

2. A vibrator can bring added stimulation that amps up the pleasure. You can even rest the toy on their nipples, freeing your hands and mouth for other purposes.
   

3. Nipple clamps or clothespins can add a bit of sharp pain play into your routine, if your partner is up for that. It’s worth noting that clamps can be adjusted to comfort, while clothespins tend to slowly tighten over time.
   

Nipple play can be a fun and exciting way to take your sexy time to the next level--and the best part about it is that it can be as light or as heavy as you want! From kissing and licking to clamping and clothes-pinning, there are fun activities for everyone.