Is Nipple Cream essential?

[eenywifemum]

Hi, quick question, I am drawing up my final list of things to buy before baby is born - I plan on breastfeeding - Can all you experienced Mums/breastfeeders tell me, do I need to buy nipple cream ready before the birth?? Is it actually necessary?

Thanks!

Agree with Mars - breastmilk is better than nipple cream. Failing that, Vaseline is good (as advised to me by lovely midwife who helped get breastfeeding sorted!).

Lansinoh definately! Have you got plenty of sanitary towels? I didn't pack enough and had to send Dh for some . Also I bought some cheap big granny pants from the supermarket (much cheaper than disposible knickers and really comfy) then I threw them away. Also think carfully about what you will wear to come home in - I still looked 6 months pregnant and couldn't fit in the jeans I took (and they were maternity ones ) It was a very uncomfortable journey home!
I'm so excited for you though it's an amazing time and persevere with the breastfeeding - it was very hard for me but I'm glad I did it now as it's easy (3 months on)

with regards the nipple shields Notquitecockney I would rather use them for a couple of nights and still continue to be able to bf.I would not say that they are a good idea for long term use but I remember being in such pain at first that I dreaded each feed and these were a life saver for me.

I just think its a good idea for people to be aware of things out there that might help them when needed. My hv recommended them to me.

I didn't need any cream or nipple shields. dd was a gentle feeder.

Right, but pain during feeding is often a sign of bad latch or whatever, that needs to be sorted out, rather than ignored by using a shield. The nipple shields are something babies can become used to, and then they will refuse to feed without them. Also, in most women, longterm use causes supply issues. I had both these experiences with DS1, who only fed with shields for the first three months. (Oh, and also, they're a giant unmitigated faff.)

And yes, the milk is better than any cream. Smear over nipples, and leave to air dry. Works every time.

I had nipple shields which I used (tip from the LLL book 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding') to help dd latch on when my breasts became engorged and she couldn't latch. I then used them a couple of times when she decided for some reason to suck in a particularly painful way.
Obviously would have been better to avoid engorgement in the first place (by feeding lots), and obviously they are, as NQC says, a giant faff, because you have to sterilise the damn things. But the advantage of this is that you're not tempted to use them long term because it's so much simpler not to!
Personally I regard them (along with Lansinoh) as an essential piece of kit to have in the house, kept in the shop wrapping until you actually need them so you can return them or pass them onto someone else if (as will hopefully be the case) you don't need them - save the emergency trip to Mothercare or wherever, and means you'll have them on hand if it's the middle of the night when the crisis happens.
No doubt I will be criticised for recommending this, esp. re nipple shields, because I think it is true that they can cause long-term problems (and as someone else said elsewhere, if the latch/supply is the problem, they're not going to help and will probably make things worse) but I was damn glad I had them. Was recommended them by a friend who'd had an awful, awful experience with starting bf and they were one of the things that contributed to my having such an easy and smooth experience of bf.
(Sorry to go on so much about nipple shields in a thread which is actually about nipple cream )

Lansinoh is fantastic, and makes the best lip balm/gloss ever, just in case you don't use it all for breastfeeding. You'd probably consider paying £10 for a wee tube of lip gloss...Get some, you can't go wrong, and I was surprised how daunting I found the idea of nipping out to get things in the first couple of weeks postnatal.
(It also does cracked heels and sorts out tiny patches of newborn eczema.)

Another vote for Lansinoh, but I'd say take it to hospital with you. I was in for 3 days after c/s and it got me through those first few days, wouldn't have fancied sending dh out for some, he is notoriously dense when it comes to shopping!

Come to think of it, my midwife gave me some free sachets of Lansinoh - maybe you could ask yours if she has any?

Another vote for Lasinoh, my midwife gave me a sample sachet when i had bruised nipples i was still learning to get the latch right and even with putting her on repeatedly to get it right i got a bit sore, i had been using avent one but that was rubbish. I use it now if she has a growth spurt and is feeding more. And you can use it for so many other things, nappy rash, eczema, heat rashes and lipbalm. Its a bit pricey but the tube will last for ages. But you have to rub it between your finger before applying, and make sure your hands are scruplously clean as it seals the area and you dont want any bacteria there.

Take flip flops to wear in shower in hosp and flash wipes to clean anything.

excellent!! thanks everyone for your thoughts!! I have decided to get lansinoh and pack it in my hosp. bag - I think I will wait on the nipple sheilds until I need them - more because I am broke and dont want to buy something I MAY not need than anything else really.

MrsBadcrumble I was shocked it makes a good lipgloss and all that other stuff!! Excellent! So while I am feeding my little boy I can tart myself up for guests

another one her for lansinoh. I did start with avent's one type but moved on within days aftre it was recommended by my mw and how glad I was of her advice..!!

BTW I found nipple sheilds a must but only found them aftre a few days. Once I used them I didn't look back. I used them on days when I was in agony and also when my breats were vvvvv full. I found it helped ease them iykwim.

However after a few weeks of bf I found they were like bullets and nothing was needed ..!! Good luck.