Almost all mothers are physically capable of nursing their babies. Many of the misconceptions our culture has about which mothers are able to breastfeed are based on myths and outdated information.

Small Breasts

You may worry that your small breast size will affect your body's ability to produce milk. But small breasts can produce just as much milk as larger breasts. Your breasts aren't like bottles; though they will fill up if you're late for a feeding, they'll continuously produce more milk while your baby is eating.

Large Breasts

If you have very large breasts, be sure that you have a really good-fitting, supportive nursing bra. You may have to order one through a mail-order catalog or on the Internet, as many maternity stores and department stores don't go beyond a D cup size in nursing bras. During nursing, many large-breasted women find that the football hold, over the shoulder, or lying-down position, described later in this chapter, work better than the traditional cradle hold, especially when the baby is very small. Experiment with positions to find one that's comfortable for you.

Make sure your breast is well supported throughout the feeding. You can hold your breast, or try placing a rolled-up washcloth or hand towel underneath it. When your baby is older and has better head control, you may find that you don't need as much support as in the early days. Engorgement in an already-large breast can be a challenge for a tiny-mouthed baby. You may want to express some milk first to soften the nipple. Make sure your baby's mouth is open very wide, almost like she is yawning, before you put her to the breast.

If you've had breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery, it's very possible that you'll still be able to nurse your baby, depending on the type of surgery you've had and some other factors. Talk to your doctor about your specific surgery to find out whether you'll be able to produce breastmilk. Even if you can't produce enough milk to breastfeed exclusively, you can try a supplemental nursing system, a device that allows your baby to receive formula or expressed breastmilk through a small tube that runs next to your nipple and into your baby's mouth as he nurses at your breasts. The benefits of breastfeeding go beyond just the milk, so this is a great way to have — and give to your baby — the experience of nursing even if your milk supply is low.

Nipples

Some women are afraid that the size or shape of their nipples will make nursing difficult. Inverted nipples, which point into the body rather than outside, can be an issue with early nursing but can be worked around. If you have inverted nipples, talk to a lactation consultant, La Leche League volunteer, or midwife about techniques for drawing the nipple out and making breastfeeding easier.