Nipple toughening during pregnancy for breastfeeding

[tru]

Hi,

A friend who has several children told me early on in my pregnancy to start toughening up my nipples in preparation for easier breastfeeding (less problems - no bleeding, soreness, etc).

I have read that this action is not necessary however I tried it anyway. Starting with a very soft shower brush, I just rubbed it in a circular motion over and around each nipple for about a minute. It wasn't painful at all so I continued doing this daily for a couple of months.

When we went away for a couple of weeks I forgot to take the brush so I just left my breasts alone during that time. When I returned home and started brushing again I was very surprised to discover how sensitive my nipples were. I could hardly touch them with the brush, which made me think that the scrubbing had definitely made a difference.

I started again a couple of weeks ago and have built up to fairly heavy srubbing for about 2 mins on each nipple. It doesn't hurt at all. If it did I would stop. I haven't noticed any difference in the physical appearance of my nipples, but they definitely feel like they are tougher and ready for breastfeeding (which will be in about 6 weeks time).

Just wondering if anyone else has done anything similar in preparation for breastfeeding and if it worked well for you?

:)

Tru

[Oscar's mum]

No I did no preparation whatsoever to prepare me for breastfeeding. Yes I did get cracked nipples but they vanished within a few days once I figured out how to attach properly from the moment the baby latched on, not leaving bub to have half a feed then fixing up the attachment.;)

[Funkychicken]

I have heard the recommendations for this but I just never got around to it-no particular reason. I think it was the same with the perineal massage, just never got around to that either! Anyway, I didn't have any problems whatsoever with breastfeeding. No soreness, cracks or the likes. I think my nipples were just made for it!:laughing:
I can see though that it would benifit someone who may be prone to sensitivities so all I can say is :thumbsup: good on you for putting in such a committed effort. i'm sure you'll have little or no problems when bub arrives. All the best for a fantastic birthing experience and for a successful breastfeeding experience! :)

[aardvark]

This was specifically advised against by the midwives at the hospital where I have had all of my babies over a 15 year period. It is a very old fashioned idea, predating our mothers!

The nipple needs to be pliable so it can be drwn back into baby's mouth.

Toughening up nipples can actually make the chances of cracking/bleeding higher.

[SilverStarfish]

I agree with Aardvark. You want your nipples to be soft and flexible for feeding, not old and tough. Plus a baby's sucking a very different nipple work out to scrubbing them with a brush.

That said however, it's your body. Go for it if you think it will help :thumbsup:

[Pixie]

I agree with Aardvark, you can damage your nipples this way too, I did nothing to mine and I breastfeed very well, well I don't but my DD is a champ lol

[spring]

If your really worried about your nipples maybe you could buy a nipple sheild incase you need it ( the hospital I had DD at supplied me with one) I would reccomend the Medela brand.
I have also heard that "toughening up" your nipples can cause worse cracking then if you just leave them be.

[tru]

ok, thanks ladies. I appreciate your advice and support. If the scrubbing makes it worse then I guess I'll stop my daily ritual in the shower and just let nature take its course. A midwife told me that sun exposure was one of best ways of preparing nipples (obviously not too much!).

I wonder if women who live in fairly primitive cultures and live toplessly find it easier to breastfeed? Surely their nipples would be pretty tough after constantly having their breasts exposed to the natural elements.

[SilverStarfish]

A midwife told me that sun exposure was one of best ways of preparing nipples (obviously not too much!).

I wonder if women who live in fairly primitive cultures and live toplessly find it easier to breastfeed? Surely their nipples would be pretty tough after constantly having their breasts exposed to the natural elements.

The midwife to came to my house the day after we got home to do the heel ***** tests etc told me both of those things - breastmilk and a little sunlight are good for nipples & that topless living women do have an easier time breastfeeding.

[Goosie22]

One important thing with preparing your nipples and breasts is to stop using soap/sented creams directly onto your nipples/breasts, the natural oils are increased in that area to help get ready for nursing. Another reason topless cultures are ahead of the game (the oils dont get absorbed by clothing).

Getting used to handling your own boobs is always very useful prior to breastfeeding, expressing a little colostrum onto your nipple and areola and rolling your nipple a little in the process of massaging it in.

The scrubbing brush was popular in the 60s as was a harsh toweling, neither really works.

Good on you for thinking ahead, your one step ahead of the game already:thumbsup:

[meme]

if you do want to do some prep for easy bfding, some simple breast massage, and gently rolling/ stretching the nipples is ok.
getting used to handling the boobs is good as they are used a lot at first. :D .

i actually think the sunning is also out of fashion now living as we do in the sun drenched country and having had a melanoma chopped out of me i listened when the midwifes advised it was no longer recommended the risks now being thought to outweigh any benefits...

something that may help wth successfully breastfeeding, nurture some friendships with women who do successfully breastfeed.(subscribe to ABA if you need to find some) women in cultures who go topless are aldso exposed to lots of succesful bfding rolemodels. they also don't suffer confusion over what breasts are for i would think...:rolleyes: iykwim,
our society veiws breasts very sexually first and foremost. perhaps to the detriment of bfdng.

sounds like you will be well prepared, read anything byy sue cox and learn about correct positioning and attachment to avoid nipple pain . (you can practice positioning with a doll..)
good luck:)

[cheezelkat]

I wonder if women who live in fairly primitive cultures and live toplessly find it easier to breastfeed? Surely their nipples would be pretty tough after constantly having their breasts exposed to the natural elements.

I never wear a shirt around the house - not for nipple toughening though, just because it heals my nipples faster when they've been bitton on and it makes for an easier time for DS to latch on. He just crawls over when he's hungry and attackes himself!

[Miss_Vicki]

I never knew any of this when i was preg with number 1 an 2 . I started gettin cracked an split nipples an were that bad got to a point would bleed after some feeds.

In the oil days they would just good old sheep fat but turned out the chemicals would leach into it.

Now thou there is a healthy verson that so safe u dont have to wash it off to feed bubs , its a purple tube of lanolin , not sure on spelling but there isnt to many brands of it .

Its also Great for bad cracked lips an great for preping the nipples :)

I to agree the shrubbin wouldnt be the right way in helping them ,if anything IMO it would do more harm . :)

hope it helps

[mama anne]

something that may help wth successfully breastfeeding, nurture some friendships with women who do successfully breastfeed.(subscribe to ABA if you need to find some) women in cultures who go topless are aldso exposed to lots of succesful bfding rolemodels. they also don't suffer confusion over what breasts are for i would think... iykwim,
our society veiws breasts very sexually first and foremost. perhaps to the detriment of bfdng.


i agree!
find some people that you trust and ask them what they found difficult/easy/helpful when establishing breastfeeding - forewarned is forearmed. one of the biggest shocks about bfeeding for me is how little information people (perhaps just people i know) give you about their struggles with it unless you ask them
HTH