Toughening up nipples ready for BFing, can you do this? How? Any other preperation tips?

[EnchantedWithEdwardCullen]

Im 27 weeks and boobs are leaking alot.

I want to toughen up my nips, they got sore so fast last time.

I have laninsol (sp?!?!) creeam, should i start putting this on already will that help?

I just really want to try my best this time

ok. sometimes b/feedong does hurt a bit at first. but it shouldn't be agony, and nipples shouldn't get really cracked etc. positioning is completely the key- yours and babes. can you ask your HV if there is a breast feeding peer support group near you, or baby cafe, or breast feeding counsellor, or, over here in east sussex we have a buddy sysytem where you can sign up to have a breast feeding peer supporter phone up ,and see how you are doing, and offer support if you need it- try you local sure start childrens centre, ask for help and don't be afraid to try some odd positions, to help those nipples if they get sore!! try NCT or LaLecheLeague, both have excellent handouts and dropin type groups, or local bumps and babes groups.nipples don't need hardening up, or whatever, just you and babe need assistance and a patient person to give time and relaxed support
good luck xx

WishingMummy, I really felt that it was simply being wet all the time that made my nipples sore. Like your lips if you lick them too much.
Is this really not a factor?

HI

Don't all jump on me at once but I was in agony with breastfeeding. Crying while feeding didn't seem right. A stand in midwife came to the house who was here for a year from New Zealand. She said not to quote her for fear of her job, but in New Zealand it was common practise to toughen up nipples with surgical spirit every other day, using some sort of cream on the alternate days. Voila! It worked. I fed her for 19 months regularly and another 3 months if she got distressed or just needed a bit of extra comfort. Her last feed was at 21 months. Friends and family I have told this too tried it and had great experiences with breast feeding.

Baby bear - I tried nipple shields at 5 months when my baby and I suddenly started having problems (ie I was getting sore!) after months of successful feeding (well, I never seemed to have quite enough milk, but we kept it going anyway). I can only say that she put it in her mouth once and completely refused to feed from it due to the ludicrously large size. And this is a baby that will take a bottle happily. Really hope they can help some people, but they seem to be nothing like a nipple so could be very confusing if bf not established. Sorry to be discouraging

We now mixed feed (she is 7 months), but my milk is getting less all the time...

ok - this will sound weird but it really did work............! I brushed my nipples with a toothbrush every night for about a month before i gave birth and this certainly did toughen them up! I must say it was a VERY soft toothbrush and i just did it gently - without toothpaste! Not a pleasant or erotic experience believe me! This was my third baby and i didnt do it with the other 2 and i think it helped. I got cracked and bleeding nipples with my first 2 - this may well have been down to positioning etc as i'm really not sure but i wasn't going to take the risk again. It worked for me and i would recommend it! And lansinoh cream too!

Yes Lansinoh cream is fantastic. I got the idea from a mum who advised me to apply it to my nipples daily from about four weeks before my baby was due. Apparently it gives them that little bit more elasticity or something like that. I followed her advice religiously and with both DDs (apart from the initial shock of being fed from) never once did my nipples crack or bleed.

Hello there, there is no need to toughen up your nipples ahead of time. Find a good breastfeeding councellor now so that you know you can get the support at the right time.
My daughter was premature and her mouth was tiny, so I did have problems at first and my nipples did bleed, I got the right help though and used lansinoh and another cream called purelan which is the same but a different brand name. Breast milk is great for healing sore nipples so squeese some milk on first and rub in and let dry then apply the lansinoh. Then let them air before putting breastpads of bra back on. After 3 weeks my daughters mouth was bigger and I was used to it, so give it at least that long and you should be fine. Good luck x