>I'm confused about the issue of the nose away from the
>breast.  I've been under the impression that proper positioning includes
>the baby's nose right up against the breast, indenting it.  Is this now no
>longer recommended?

I would say the nose location is irrelevant.  It's the lower jaw that
moves, the lower jaw that does the work, the lower jaw that must (usually)
be against the breast.  Depending on baby and breast size and shape, that
may mean the upper nose rests lightly on the breast or doesn't touch it at
all.  Usually, if the nose pressed well into breast, it means the baby is
tucking his chin and actually pulling his working jaw *away* from the
breast.

Put your hand flat against your nose and chin (the parts of your face that
stick out), fingers toward ceiling, elbow toward floor, hand absolutely
vertical.  Tip your head back w/o moving your hand.  Your nose comes free
of your hand and your chin presses harder against it.  Now tip your head
forward.  Your chin comes away from your hand and your nose buries into it.
Now, keeping your hand vertical, try really hard to *eat* your palm.
Which presses harder on your hand, your chin or your nose?  Does your head
tilt back or forward as you try?

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC, LLLL,  Ithaca, NY, looking mighty silly at the
computer