Dear all: I really simply do not prop large breasts. I may have once or twice helped a mom with a rolled towel if its uncomfortable to lie down with large breasts. But really, I'm struggling to remember when if ever I did it. The only thing I find that needs shaping is just what goes in the baby's mouth. Some babies you can let hang between moms legs --- with the head hanging back and neck supported on one thigh and the butt supported on the other. A little flip of the nipple and small bit of pressure on the baby's back and that baby is on with no pillows. Even more radically some moms can simply drop the breast into the baby's mouth AND if the nipple is pointed to the roof of the mouth ---- it works. Defying everything I was taught. If it works, it works even if it defies conventional wisdom. A separate issue is the elasticity of the breast -- and while there does seem to be some relationship between elasticity of the areola and larger breasts --- that is not always the case. Too taut -- and sometimes you need to shape. Too elastic and they slip out of the mouth. Both can be helped with a very radical extreme form of the "flipple" technique as Esther called it or what we used to call "bending the breast". Last resort is the nipple shield. I hadn't really realized that I actually like working with "long breasts" as my former mentors called them. I really sincerely mean it when I tell you I find it easier to get a moms comfortable with large breasts. Think about the entire expanse of those breasts that a baby can snuggle up to --- in many positions. With smaller breasts there is far less cushion and you often have to really pay attention to getting the baby's chest really close into the cleavage or under the armpit. Even better --- large breasts can make this great natural receiving blanket that gives almost surround the baby skin-to-skin contact by having one over the top of the baby's bottom and side. If that isn't the nearest thing to crawling back into the womb, I don't know what is. Truly --- today is a light bulb moment for me. Best, Susan *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome