I am seeing a mother antenatally and have permission to post. She is a multi, first child is now 16 months. She is due to birth in late May. She was unsuccessful in attaching her first baby to the breast stating that she had flat nipples. I saw her today. Breasts are a normal to slightly large size, with development through this pregnancy. Areola is largish and the nipple is very small and flat. She said that even when expressing (which she did for 6 months before slowly weaning) they did not protrude or extend much. She did state that she had used nipple shields, but may have never correctly attached them. She also said that there was a constant pinching feeling while attempting to breastfeed with or without the shields. We discussed skin to skin following the birth and baby led attachment. I have to admit that I am concerned that she may have similar issues, although I did not say this to her. Any further suggestions or thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks, Ruth Berkowitz ,-._|\ Ruth Berkowitz, IBCLC; BFHI Assessor & Educator; Grad. Dip. / Oz \ Counselling; ABA breastfeeding counsellor; B.Sci.(Ed, USA); \_,--.x/ M.L.S.(Monash). KEW EAST VICTORIA AUSTRALIA ~ *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome