>> .... is there a theory as to why aboriginal and african women don't seem
>> to get nipple problems whilst breastfeeding?
>
>To the contrary, it would seem that aboriginal and african women do get
>sore nipples.

I was recently working with a mother with very sore nipples who was married
to a man from Tanzania.  His mother, who was visiting her three sons in the
US, was coming in a few days and this new American mother was quite anxious,
as her MIL had breastfed 10 children.  She was afraid that her struggle with
sore nipples would put her to shame and make her seem inadequate and a
complainer.

"Mama" came and when she was told that this new mother had sore nipples, she
said, "Of course.  Everyone has sore nipples for a while.  I did with all of
my babies.  One woman's nipples were so sore that she ran away and never
came back." She was most helpful and supportive of the mother of this little
one, who had been given her grandmother's name.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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