<< Has anyone else seen mothers lately (we had 4 this week) with edema of the
 breast/nipple area?  Baby can't latch because there is so much edema behind
 the areola- it makes the nipples look like they are retracting. >>

Have the moms been induced with Pitocin?  Try cabbage on the nipple area --
if that raises eyebrows in your hospital, tell mom to do it when she goes
home.  In hospital, have her lie on left side for about 15 minutes so right
breast can "drain" -- should be a bit softer, and babe can (hopefully) latch
on to right side.  Then have her lie on right side for 15 minutes so left
side can "drain" and baby can brfd.

The cabbage treatment will work well on legs too -- have her put fresh green
cabbage on legs and loosely wrap with an ace bandage to hold in place.  Will
work in about 12 hours.

Good luck!

Jan Barger