How to get your nipples “ready”???

Question

Any advice on how to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding?? I’m 28 weeks, I’ve always had what I would consider sensitive, soft nipples and I’m worried it’s going to make bf more difficult. 
Is there anything I can do to “toughen” them up a little or is that even a thing?

Answer

Just know it want always hurt. It will get better and be more enjoyable. Bf  was hard to begin with, but I would not change it for anything.

Answer

Someone advised me to scrub them lightly when a loofah in the shower to prepare but I couldn’t handle it 😬
I’d recommend getting lots of lanolin and just slathering it on during the first few weeks as they adjust.

Answer

This was a life saver for me (over all the other creams I tried including lansinoh lanolin cream). There’s nothing you can physically do but definitely mentally prepare for it. It will be hard, there will be many times your baby will cluster feed and your nipples will feel broken but you will get through it and your nipples will adapt! I really truly recommend this nipple cream, it helped me so much and I never cracked or bled. It was also nice because I never worried about my baby ingesting any of it since it is all natural. Also, if you can try to stay braless as much as possible when at home. Yes, your nipples may leak at the beginning but keeping them exposed helps to air them out which helps to avoid any build up of moisture that could lead to thrush, etc.

Answer

No advice for before baby is here but as soon as you give birth start using nipple cream. Dont wait until your already chapped and in pain! Best advice given to me.

Answer

Leave them alone. My nipples are so sensitive I don’t even like them touched during sex. I was worried when pregnant with my first baby that I would have an aversion. But 2 kids and almost 5 years of combined breastfeeding later my nipples are just fine for nursing. I still hate them being touched during sex though 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Answer

Thanks ladies! This makes me feel so much better! I have been terrified they wouldn’t adjust. Someone else did tell me to use a washcloth in the shower but that sounded awful so I didn’t bother! I’ve already got the lanolin cream so I’ll just mentally prepare myself to ride it out the first few weeks! It’s comforting to know it’s normal! 😊

Answer

There’s no need to do anything to prepare them. I just had my baby two months ago and I got slightly sore nipples from time to time, but it was honestly no big deal and nothing a little nipple butter can’t fix. The most important thing is making sure you have a good latch. Start off with a good latch from your first feeding. If you have a good latch breastfeeding won’t hurt. Very slight (more uncomfortable than painful) latch pain lasting 30 seconds is normal. If you feel a lot of pain on your nipple stick your finger in baby’s mouth to break the seal. Do not try to rip your nipple out! You want your nipple on top of the tongue and it should be pulled to the back of baby’s mouth. Don’t be afraid to ask the nurses or lactation for help. They visited me multiple times in the hospital.

Answer

Just moisturuze them. Get nipple cream from the hospital to take home with you if u can. The first 2 weeks were the hardest i  terms of everything including how much breastfeeding hurt only cuz i was not used to the friction. But it got better & better. Now at 7 weeks and its no issue..just takes getting used to if you can get over the first rough patch

Answer

I don’t know if anything can prepare you nipples but keep your nipples hydrated during breastfeeding. I put coconut oil on a pad and put it on my nipples it works wonders.

Answer

Do not do anything. This is a myth.

How to get your nipples “ready”???

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