What's useful to notice in the mirror about your working breasts?
Your breasts' shape and symmetry (or asymmetry)
Are your breasts, nipples and areolas asymmetrical?
It is normal and common to notice that your breasts, nipples and areolas are different in size and shape between the left and right sides. This means that the way you bring your baby to your body on one side might be different to the way you do it on the other.
Your breast fall
Where do your breasts fall relative to your rib-cage and tummy when you are seated?
It's helpful to be aware that fit and hold differs between breasts depending on the difference in breast fall, and that the baby will need to be held just where the breast and nipple fall (not higher or lower). Normal women have a round abdomen, and this is especially the case after giving birth. There are ways in which you can fit your baby into your body in a way that takes into account your round tummy. You can find out about your breast-belly contour here
The direction your nipples look
Does one nipple look in a direction quite different to your other nipple?
It's normal for your nipples to look in different directions, but it helps to be aware of this because your baby's fit and hold will differ between breasts depending on where your nipples look. You can find out about this here.
Landing pad exposure
Is your breast's landing pad encroached by your tummy or by clothing?
Your breasts' landing pad needs to be fully exposed for positional stability in breastfeeding. You can find out about this here and here.
Nipple shape
How high or low is your nipple compared to your areola? How wide is your nipple at its base?
A lower nipple height or wider nipple width may require more careful attention to fit and hold, but is not a reason to to think that you and your baby will have problems breastfeeding. You can find out about this here.
