<Wow!  Isn't it amazing what new technology can show us!  Sort of
outdates,
in one enormous sweep,  ALL those lovely pictures of breasts cut-aways,
doesn't it? >

Well, not ALL of EVERY SINGLE diagram, I don't think, Pat. But some
revamping is probably going to come about.

When de-programming or replacing misconceptions about the nipple-areolar
complex and the breast in general, I myself do find some sort of general
illustrations helpful to fill the void in the understanding of many
clients.

Until better ones come out, I can make the present ones make do. It beats
having parents and aspiring HCP's think of the breast as a flesh covered
bottle with a hollow nipple.

(I spoke to a mom yesterday who couldn't get any milk out with her double
electric Evenflo on minimum vacuum. Her husband was insisting that the
only solution was to firmly (and painfully) massage the breast and turn
the pump up to maximum, calling her a wimp because he told her it HAD to
hurt if she was going to get any milk out!)

One of the problems is that a post-mortem section of the ductal anatomy
of a non-lactating, or a pregnant, or even a lactating breast (that would
leak when dissected!) can in no way equate with the undulating, waxing
and waning physiological changes occurring minute to minute and hour to
hour in the functional state of the lactating breast.

I do not mean this next statement to be in any way offensive or
facetious. Think how difficult it would be to draw diagrams of either
male or female anatomy showing what goes on during the physiological
process of orgasm!

But then again how many would really find those diagrams necessary or
helpful in experiencing that process? There are visual aids and then
there are visual aids! Too bad we just don't show much "suggestion" of
breastfeeding on the silver screen or dance floor (or in PDA-public
displays of [mom/baby breastfeeding] affection) do we!

Jean
*************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA

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