'Preparing' your nipples for BFing 2 weeks before birth with nipple cream?

[HappyAsEyeAm]

I went for s standard ante-natal appointment today (I am 39 weeks) and the midwife said that I should be putting the lansinoh on my nipples now, to soften them up. Anyone heard of this? I am willing to do anything to make BFing easier!

I BF both of my DC's; I had horrednously cracked nipples with DC1 and nothing with DC2. As far as I could make out it was all to do with technique - it is a learned skill for both of you, am not sure how well moisturised nippled would help..... Do you have a breastfeeding counsellor you can speak to? Your HV should be able to put you in touch with one.

It's bollocks.

Never heard that one before. I thought it was all about the latch TBH.

I stayed in hospital for 5 nights after DS just to get feeding properly established with MW support on hand, and would recommend that to anyone who can bear to stay in a 6-bedded bay that long.

I'd ask so see some research to back up this little gem.

Sure Lansinoh can be useful for sore or grazed nipples but I can't see the benefit of any pre moisturising.

You'd be better off reading kellymom or mn than smothering Lansinoh on your nipples.

I can't see how that would help? Its great when you're actually feeding and when your nipples crack/are sore but my boobs were so sensitive when I was pregnant there was no way I'd be smearing Lasinoh on them!

Springforward is right, it is all about the latch. Make sure your dc opens up nice and wide so as much of your aoreole (know that isn't spelled right ) is in their mouth and you will be fine. The pain comes from them clamping their hard gums too close to or on your nipple and then gumming them to death. I know this from experience as I had a really easy first three weeks because I watched ds latch on carefully, then I got confident and let him latch on whilst not paying enough attention. A few bad latches and a baby who needs to feed every hour leads to quite a lot of nipple damage that takes a week of careful latching on to repair. Just be careful and you'll be fine.

Nope, sounds bollocks to me. They used to recommend that you 'toughened up' your nipples, by rubbing them with flannels, etc (by 'they' I mean MILs and assorted ill informed professionals, not that it was policy!). This sounds like the latest variation.

it's bollocks. What you should be doing is ensuring you have some lansinoh, because even experienced breastfeeding mothers can get sore from time to time. I used it with all three of my babies when I was feeding newborns.

I used Lansinoh for a few weeks before my due date and didn't have any problems with sore or cracked nipples, even in the early weeks when DD was feeding for 12ish hours a day. Though I fully agree with others that a good latch is the most important thing, I would use Lansinoh in the same way again if I have another pregnancy. At worst, it certainly won't do any harm!

Grandmother-in-law (who was a midwife) recommended toughening nipples up by rubbing with a toothbrush in weeks before birth.

I don't think anything is necessary.

Absolute rubbish, I am apalled that she is talking such utter tripe. It makes me wonder what other gems she has got

I'll save the Lansinoh for later then! I asked because I had a bad experience (very painful) BFing DC1 and I am trying to be as prepared as possible this time round. I have the names and numbers of local contacts, thanks, and I have The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding too . Will try Kellymom later on. Cheers!

Deffo a good idea to be as prepared as you can be Happy.

You may also find Dr Jack Newman's site helpful- lots of video clips so you can really see what a good latch should look like.

Of course, you may have no problems this time around- let's hope so.

Nothing will prepare your nipples for the crushing automatic doors (think auto glass shopping centre doors) that is your beautiful DCs jaws on you!

Joking sort of.

Lasinoh really is good I found. The first two weeks may be hell but it gets so much better after that, perfect even.

Happy breastfeeding, it's awesome!