Dear Sarah etc:

Prenatal preparation (education) of the postpartum staff is probably more
important than anything done/not done to mom's nipples. An unmedicated labor,
continuous skin contact from birth until well after the first good
breastfeeding, and excellent positioning are key. References are from
Righard, Widstrom, Woolridge, Brazelton, Ahls, and Mathews are excellent. Fix
the policies and practices instead of fiddling with the mother.

Linda Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
"It's easier to change policy than biology."
Dayton, OH