I may be wrong but isn't it more comfortable as the prolactin levels increase
and make the nipple skin "stretchier" and more pliable?  I too, suffered for
the first few days with sore nipples....thought the latch was good, no other
stuff going on that I could see (although 23 years ago there wasn't as much
research on this). But as the weeks went on, it got WAY better. In fact, when
she was 3-4 weeks old, the cat walked on the arm of the sofa we were sitting
on and nursing...and she turned to look...and the nipple went with! Stretched
quite a bit and didn't really "hurt". And remember the photo of the stretchy
nipple in your slide set, Jan? Wonder how old the nursing baby was?  I
surmise that the hormones of nursing help make the skin stretchier, very much
like the way the hormones of pregnancy make the joints stretchier? Make any
sense? I hope so!
Mary Kay Smith, IBCLC
Romeoville IL

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