Carole wrote: <<<Two questions/issues: what are some most-favored strategies for management of retracting nipples in the postpartum period? Second question: if I ever work with pregnant moms and discover these shy nipples on a prenatal exam, what can be done during pregnancy to help them evert? I am thinking breast shells, but I know you Lactnetters will have a wealth of other ideas to share! Thanks for the help! Carole Jernigan (who is hoping to have her LC course requirements done by the end of this month)>>> I have good luck with having the moms hold the breast in a modified "C" hold, really a "U" hold, flatten the breast parallel to the baby's mouth (varies depending on the position ), and press back in toward the chest wall with the fingers supporting the breast. Even a "shy" nipple protrudes enough for the baby to latch this way. I never recommend breast shells because of what I read in Lawrence while studying to sit the LC exam, that moms who are given stuff to do and wear to prepare for breastfeeding sometimes opt out because the preparation makes breastfeeding seem complicated. I know breast shells can be helpful, and some moms are given them in the hospital. I never comment one way or the other. Rowena Tucker IBCLC Texas *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html