Want to breastfeed but hate my nipples being touched

[Lynx92]

Hi all, I am 15 weeks pregnant with my first baby and thinking about feeding when baby comes. I really want to try breastfeeding but cannot stand my nipples being touched 😩. Has anyone experienced this and managed to successfully breastfeed? Did things change when baby came? Any advice/experiences/wisdom welcome 😊 x

Not personal experience but best friend used nipple shields from day 1 as she was uncomfortable with touching of nipples.

I hated (and still hate) my nipples being touched but have successfully breastfed DD for 19 months.

I used a haaka to harvest colostrum and I’ve never “milked myself” because I was too disgusted by it, but feeding her is no problem for some reason!

Yes I did, I had the same worries but somehow it was completely fine!

I felt the same prior to and during pregnancy. I found mine were super-sensitive normally, and I was dreading trying to establish breast feeding as a result. Just before birth I felt my nipples change in size and sensation, and whilst learning to feed dd & D's the feel and sensation was totally different. I didn't expect that at all.

Yes I hated the the idea of stuff coming out of my nipples. I used to cringe like hell at the thought of nipple piercings etc. Just had a weird nipple revulsion. But I used shields at the start and then the skin toughens up anyway by how often they need to feed so I can completely zone out my toddler feeding. He's nearly two now.

Depending on how long you plan to feed though they get into a twiddling and pulling phase which still makes me feel a bit ill.

I think due to biology you’ll probably feel differently when baby is in your arms and naturally want to feed them

When I was pregnant I'd cry in the shower because even the water hitting my nipples felt horrible to me but I've been able to breastfeed for ten months so far!

I had the same worries but managed to breastfeed all my children. Remember the baby doesn't actually latch on to your nipples, it's the whole areola, and also your nipples toughen up with the constant feeding.

I couldn't express manually, couldn't bear the thought, but pumping was fine. Actual breastfeeding, once I got past the first couple of weeks, was surprisingly easy.

It's totally different. It just is, you'll be fine.

The hardest bit is the start. You will be feeling a bit like you've run a marathon and then immediately been given a baby and have to master lots of new things at the same time. So unfair.
Hopefully, you'll be flooded with amazing hormones, which breast feeding triggers, this really helps you over the next few moves when things are tough. So it becomes a positive feedback system.
And in the long-term, breast feeding is easier than sorting out bottles most of the time so your future self will thank you.

And you can do a bit of both, it keeps your options open. So breast feed, occasionally pump, occasionally use formula. But keep those happy hormones triggered and you'll sleep better and feel very bonded with baby.
Hope you enjoy your pregnancy, it's a unique time.

Same here. Bf was totally fine but when baby got bigger and started sometimes touching them with hands I decided it was time to stop. Never used a pump as it felt gross as well

Same here but still feeding my 14 month old. Highly recommend following Lucy Webber Feeding Support on instagram for lots of feeding tips

This caused my so much anxiety in my pregnancy and ruined a lot of the pregnant months for me.

In then end I made the decision to bottle-feed. Dd is 16 now and perfectly fine.

I'm really sorry to hear that @cleowasmycat .

Although what ever any of us planned and then whatever we actually did may differ, we are all united in telling you.
Don't worry, it will honestly work itself out
Enjoy your pregnancy
Enjoy the early days
Because it will all work out either way or both!

You are amazing, lean into it.

I've never been a fan of my nipples being touched. I breastfed for just short of 3 years! You'll be fine. Be prepared with nipple cream though, as you will probably go through a sore stage in the beginning - but it gets better!

Try it and see how you feel. It's unlike any other type of nipple touch.
Second nipple shields if you don't like it. Good on you for wanting to BF, I think it's a real shame when people dismiss it without even trying. Your milk is specifically designed by your body for your baby. It's an amazing thing.

This was exactly my experience!

Also if the baby is latched on properly they're not directly touching your nipple, just the areola

Worth giving it a shot, and good luck

I hate my nipples being touched but found breast feeding was a completely different thing and I was fine. Don't feel that awful revulsion I usually do and don't need nipple guards to breastfeed. I think all in all it's just a completely different type of touch. (I still hate my nipples being touched)