preparation for breastfeeding?

[mummajugs]

Just a quick question.

I am planning on BFing baby number 2, due in January and am wondering if there is anything i can do to prepare my breasts/nipples.

My DD was not the best feeder and was basically drinking my blood when i attempted to feed her when she was a baby, attaching was fine though as was my supply, we lasted 5ish weeks on and off with BFing and EBM. then switched to formula.

so is there anyway i can 'toughen up' to hopefully succeed this time?

any help at all is welcome.

[Ruby Sneakers]

Depends on who u talk to....

This is all second hand advise as I am still expecting my first but at the very least this will bump this up for u to get some first hand :grin:

Midwife told me to do nothing!
MIL told me to rub lansinoh or similar on my nipples and give them a bit of a tweak to get them used to something tugging on them

I've been usingthe lansinoh as I've always had very sensitive nipples and am hoping to at least give the old BF a good sporting chance.....

Best wishes hun

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Lansinoh is the best thing, invest in a big tube or two, it is GREAT.
Instead of toughening up, what you really want to be doing is getting them as soft and moisturised as possible, because dry skin is where a lot of pain comes from.

Plus when you do start BFing, be topless as often as possible and even get outside in a little sun too as sun is helpful.

Be wary of people who will tell you to do things like rub your nipples with steel wool etc, its NOT helpful and will just cause you lots of pain!!

ETA: I have personally not done anything at all to mine, though I have used lansinoh if my nipples get a little sore.

[JabberJaw]

The best way to be successful is arm yourself with info Join the ABA now and read all you can on breastfeeding.

[D&M]

I didn't 'condition' my nipples ready to breastfeed my first bub and didn't last long at all with feeding him.
Second time around my mum suggested I rub lansinoh into them in the lead up to birth.
It must have helped as breastfeeding second bub was successful!

Good luck

[c38]

I agree with JabbaJaw i.e. arm yourself with information and surround yourself with supportive people.

Every baby is different so there is no reason to think you wont be sucessful this time.

If you have problems get onto the ABA or an LC asap. And also if you can hang in there through the first 6-7 weeks...nipple shield, expressing, whatever it takes. Often things start to improve as babies jaws grow dramatically in that time.

I hope it all goes well for you this time.

[BabyPaparazzi]

As suggested just rub some lansinoh on them leading up to and while learning. Apart from that there isn't really much that can be achieved before hand.

The nipples don't technically toughen up, they just adjust to the constant pulling, for a couple of weeks they can be tender but the tenderness will slowly go away.

Any damage that is caused is from poor attachment not from getting used to feeding, so if you do start getting damage, have the attachment checked first and don't assume it will get better on its own. I had a close friend who wasn't told this (by a midwife ) and she spent weeks in horrible pain.