Can you 'prepare' your nipples for breastfeeding?

Question

First time momma over here! 🙋🏻 I was just curious if there is any way you can prepare your breasts/nipples for breastfeeding. I know the first few weeks can be painful as heck! Do you think there's any way to 'rough them up' before baby arrives so it's not so intense and painful? (I know a good latch also helps reduce pain!!)

Answer

I highly recommend The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding put out by the LA Leche League. It's super informative on what is normal, what to expect, and has lots of info/tips on common problems and how to try and correct them. Even pre-delivery, I would also recommend trying to attend a LLL meeting/group. Lots of info and support from moms "in the trenches" and how they're doing and what's working for them.

I went for my entire pregnancy with my first, and I felt so much calmer and ready, especially actually having problems right off the bat with my son's latch. I knew we could figure it out and how little he needed the first few days and while working hard to figure it out (also with the staff LC), I was able to keep from freaking out.

Answer

Roughing them up is no longer recommended,  it can just cause more pain than it prevents. Talk to your dr and Google "la leche league" - they have a lot of good updated info on the whole process.

Answer

I came on here to basically say the same thing that has already been said 😅 Nipples don't actually toughen up, what happens is that you learn how to latch and breastfeed properly. So it gives the impression that your nipple has toughened or "gotten used to it" but that isn't how it works. As someone else mentioned, roughing them up is old advice and isn't recommended anymore. Best thing you can do to set yourself up for success is to educate yourself on breastfeeding, try attending a La Leche League meeting (you can go when you're pregnant) and buy their book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I was intimidated of it at first because it looks like a textbook, but I tried another book instead and that one was just so boring and not well laid out. The Womanly Art is much more readable, relatable, and well thought out.

Answer

It just hurt for a month or so for me no matter what.... lots of cream.

Answer

I got the nipple balm from the honest company and I've been putting that on every day. I haven't had my baby yet but I'm hoping that helps them from getting too chafed! 😬