When to start toughening my nipples?

Question

Hi all. I'm 8 1/2 weeks right now and my breasts and nipples have been hurting for weeks. I got cold yesterday and the hardening was agony! I'm not worried about the pain - I know it's normal, but my MIL is insisting that I need to start doing things to toughen my nipples for breastfeeding right away or I'll regret it. She's telling me to start using a toothbrush on them. I cringe just thinking about it. I was planning to wait until the second trimester before working on toughening to see if my breast soreness will die down a little, but I don't want to miss out on bonding time because of pain when the little one arrives.

When did everyone start working on this?

Answer

From La Leche League at www.llli.org (3 L's and an i):
There is very little you need to do to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding.
"Roughing up" the nipples by rubbing them with a towel is no longer recommended. It has been found that doing so can remove the protective substances produced by the breast during pregnancy and afterwards. Instead, you might want to try some gentle breast massage. This can help you become more comfortable handling your breasts, and may also be useful later on if you need to express your milk. Information on breast massage can be found in the book THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING, available from LLL Groups or from the LLL catalog.
It is a good idea to check for flat or inverted nipples while you are pregnant, as this can sometimes make it a bit more difficult for a baby to latch on to the nipple correctly. You can speak to your local LLL Leader (before your baby is born) about how to check for inverted nipples and how to deal with them. But these are rare, so don't worry if you know they are not inverted. Your doctor could tell you also.
It's possible that you have heard that breastfeeding will make your nipples sore. In most cases, sore nipples are caused by poor positioning or improper latch.

Answer

I've never heard of doing anything to prepare them for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding does hurt at first, but the pain is temporary. I'm currently 3 weeks postpartum and don't even have any pain anymore.

Answer

Oh my God that sounds terrible! I have breastfed two babies.  I've never done anything to toughen my nipples. The pain goes away after like 2 weeks.

Answer

Pt 2

Lotions are generally not necessary. Your nipples are already producing what they need for their protection. If you have a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema, you may wish to ask your dermatologist what you can use. Be sure to tell the doctor you will be breastfeeding, as that can make a difference in the type of treatment prescribed. Also, do not use soap on your breasts, as this can dry them out. When you bathe or shower, rinsing with clear water is fine. If your nipples are very dry, you may wish to apply a lubricant.
Cracked and bleeding nipples are not a normal sign of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not meant to be painful - if it is, you need to find out why, and correct it. The main cause of sore nipples is improper positioning. The baby should be face to nipple, and tummy to tummy with you. The baby's chin should be just below the nipple, and the baby needs to open wide to take in a good mouthful.
You might want to attend LLL meetings in your area before your baby is born, or at least contact the Leader for your area. LLL meetings are a mother-to-mother sharing of ideas, information, and encouragement. It can be very helpful to see other mothers breastfeeding. As well, each Group has a lending library of books on breastfeeding, pregnancy and childbirth, nutrition, and parenting. Check out the section of our Web site entitled Finding a Local LLL Group.
Our collection of Web resourcescontains more helpful information on preparing to breastfeed that may be helpful to you.

Answer

My MIL and SIL are both very crunchy granola types who go to natural women's conferences, etc.  Anyway, they both swear by vitamin E oil to help soothe and toughen up your nipples.  My MIL gifted me a bottle to start using about a month before delivery.  I think it may have been working, but then I delivered early lol.  I still like the Vitamin E oil when I remember to use it.  I like to layer it over lanolin as it has a honey-like consistency (probably best to wash off before breastfeeding).  I don't think your starting to use Vitamin E oil now would hurt; just be careful to avoid excessive nipple stimulation. :)

Answer

Thank you!!

Answer

Thanks, everyone! This is very reassuring. I'll look into the LLL stuff!

Answer

My mom told me the same thing, but I never did anything at all to toughen my nipples and I never had any problems breastfeeding. Actually, in the birthing classes they said there was no need. It just varies from person to person depending on your own body how your nipples will react to breastfeeding. There is lanolin for sore nipples. I didn't really have to use it but I know it's helpful to some people

When to start toughening my nipples?

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