I've been advised by a breastfeeding friend that I should harden my nipples before my baby is born. Any ideas?

[BellaBear]

My midwife didn't know what this meant. Does anyone on here?

I had read this somewhere as well - can't remember where. It struck me as being barking and, in my case, downright impossible since my breasts hurt right the way through pregnancy. And then I read somewhere else that it was an old wives' tale and thought 'phew'.

I had read this somewhere as well - can't remember where. It struck me as being barking and, in my case, downright impossible since my breasts hurt right the way through pregnancy. And then I read somewhere else that it was an old wives' tale and thought 'phew'.

Nah, your nips are all ready to go for breastfeeding.

The main thing that will cause sore nipples is the baby not being latched on properly. Not whether you have scrubbed them with a scourer or not (ouch!)

I think it varies between women and babies as to how well your nipples cope - I have never needed creams or shields at all, despite very sucky babies and DD3 taking days to get the hang of bfing. Must have been lucky!

Hope it goes well for you

It's an old wives' tale, there's no need to do anything to your nipples. If you're worried about how bfing will go, you could do worse than taking a look at the Kellymom website which has practically everything you'll ever need to know about breastfeeding on it.

How would you harden your nipples anyway?
I have never even heard of this. Just relax, put baby on to feed asap after birth and you'll be fine. Good luckxxxxxxx

Ouch ouch ouch ..noooo don't do it!!

...and i second the vote for lansinoh - magic stuff (even on lips )

Be thankful that she wasn't like the friend of mine who told me that I needed some cream to prepare my nipples during preganancy.
And kindly gave me her half used tube of some Tesco Nipple cream.
You know, the way creams in tubes go all cacky at the top....

(Lansinoh I use as lip balm and a massaged-in-at-bedtime overnight facial treat now that my boys are weaned )

My HV was surprised I hadn't had nipple pain at all in the early days of breastfeeding (not everyone has pain, and although a lot of ladies do, I was clearly lucky and never suffered at all), especially since I am very fair skinned, red hair and she believed that would make me more likely to suffer. I'm afraid that's probably tosh too.

My nips are as delicate and squidgy as ever, and seem to do the job quite adequately in their natural state, and I wince at the thought of "toughening them up" ...oooch.

Congrats on the pg, and well done on getting yourself prepared for bf. I watched the Jack Newman videos before baby carrot was born to try to work out how to do it. I found them very helpful and was trying to put the technique into practice within a few minutes of the birth - worked for us!

Many thanks everyone for all your kind advice, it is very welcome

(and the Lansinoh facial tip!)

I use Lansinoh as lip balm and lip gloss, and it's the business
I think women used to scrub their nipples with a nail brush

Half an hour every 4 hours - Soupy did you follow Truby King???

I said "every 4 hours or so". That's pretty much what DSs fed like.

Someone said to me to harden your nipples with white spirit
I don't recommend this...

Hardening your nipples up is an old commandment the Truby King era, (along with pg women taking cold baths - yes, really!!). Ignore this advice.

I was told to spread a little breast milk over each nipple after feeding, to stop them cracking, and just let the air to them until they dry. Worked fine for me, unless feeding in public, of course

You could go out in the cold topless and see if that toughens them up . I'm not sure what the neighbours would say though!

You'll be fine with a tube of Lansinoh BellaBear...gongratulations BTW.

Thanks for the congratulations

This thread has actually made me laugh out loud!

Hmmmm. Somewhere I have the best part of a tube of lansinoh lying around. Hadn't ever thought to use it on lips. Might have to see if I can find it.

I've only ever heard this idea bandied about by people who haven't breastfed, not people who have.

Please don't get yourself worked up about breastfeeding BellaBear - it isn't hard for everyone, and if it is then there is lots of support available.

I love this website!

Thanks all
x

cheese grater

Only joking- would be good if you could though. Probably just have to except that it will hurt for a bit. Worth it in the end though.