Two thoughts on small hands:

1. I ordered a flute in D made by Ralph Sweet and found that the stretch to the third hole down was too hard on my left hand. So I took it to an instrument repairer, and she drilled a hole in the flute and mounted an oboe key over that third hole. She had to bend one part of the key to get it on, and a couple of keys broke in the process. But now it is much better to play.

The cost of the new key was a substantial fraction of the cost of the flute, yet it was less than one trip to the doctor with an injured hand, so I don't begrudge her the money one bit.

2. My flute still seemed to have a limited range. I couldn't seem to get a good note over one octave. I eventually realized that my small finger was not closing up the big, fat hole in the middle of the right hand. (Second from the bottom.) One day I put some vinyl tape over the edge of that hole to make a gasket, and to my great joy I immediately added 5 notes to my range. (The gasket goes a mere 1/16 inch over the edge.)

I no longer seem to need a gasket, but somedays when my hands are stiff,I put a band of black elastic over that hole to make things easier. The elastic is more elegant than plastic tape, and elegance is so important, don't you think?

So my advice to those of you who are unhappy with your flutes is "If it doesn't work, monkey with it." Within the limits of common sense, of course.