I am 38 weeks pregnant. The other night, my mom asked me if I have been rubbing a rough towel over my nipples. She said it was the one thing she wished she had done before my brother or I was born, as she was in so much pain in the early days of breastfeeding.
I have never heard of this, though I guess it makes sense. Have you heard of it? Did you do it? Did it help?
squash / 13764 posts
Didn't do it and it wouldn't have mattered I think. Latch pain is very different from surface pain from friction!
nectarine / 2987 posts
I've heard of it. My midwives said it was a painful and useless old wives tale. If you do anything start slathering them in lanolin so the skin is in good shape.
blogger / clementine / 985 posts
My SMIL said something similar. Totally an old wives tale.
grapefruit / 4663 posts
My MIL made a comment about it after I had my son, I'd never heard it before that.
apricot / 443 posts
On a Longest Shortest Time podcast (I can't remember which one) I heard that this is one of the only old wives' tales that could actually be harmful because nipple stimulation can potentially cause contractions. My mother told me to do it as well.
hostess / papaya / 10219 posts
Nope nope nope. That won't help. It can be harmful.
http://www.llli.org/faq/breastprep.html
honeydew / 7235 posts
I didn't and I agree with @hilsy85: about latch pain.
I would just anticipate a few days adjustment, and bring lanolin and use it after every single feeding, esp at first!!!
persimmon / 1363 posts
@lady baltimore: Not a real thing! My MIL gave me exfoliating gloves for Christmas (!!) and told me to rough up my nipples before my first. I was pretty sure that wasn't a real thing, but I checked with my family doctor, OB, and childbirth class instructor and they all said it was an old wives tale.
nectarine / 2690 posts
Ha my mom keeps asking me if I have started prepping my nipples yet lol I guess this is what she means. No I have not. Lol no thank you.
pomelo / 5093 posts
My MIL suggested this as well. Did an entire generation of women do this? Do they have permanent nipple damage???
nectarine / 2973 posts
I agree with previous posts. It's an old wives tale, don't do it!
kiwi / 635 posts
I agree with everyone else. Also, I believe nipple pain in the beginning isn't because your nipples aren't "toughened up," rather, the pain is because it is hard for the brand new teeny tiny, inexperienced newborn to get a perfect latch. As the mouth gets bigger and the newborn learns to breastfeed efficiently, then it gets easier/more comfortable.
persimmon / 1196 posts
@sarac: That's the thing - my mom didn't even do it! It's just (apparently) an old wives' tale that she had heard, and wished she had done in retrospect.
I'll tell her the internet thinks she's full of it. 
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
Noooo don't' do it! Why cause yourself unnecessary pain!!
pear / 1737 posts
Agreed with other people, unnecessary! Just work on getting a good latch as soon as you can and don't let your baby keep feeding with a painful latch-that is what will help your nipples not get damaged. I used some nipple cream prior to birth every once in a while. I also brought it with me to the hospital and used it at home, along with letting them air out with nipple cream on. I am a month pp, EBF and pumping occasionally to store, and so far it has been pretty good. Pumping is more uncomfortable for my nipples than breastfeeding by far.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I've had people tell me this, but honestly I figured regardless my nipples were going to hurt so I waited. I did start putting on cream before LO2 was born.
pomegranate / 3272 posts
My mom told me to do it before I had DS1. She said that she didn't do it with my oldest brother and it really hurt to breastfeed. She did it before the rest of us and no pain. I said no way! She actually came to my breastfeeding class with me as DH had a last minute conflict and the nurse specifically said not to do it! Yes, breastfeeding hurt for the first 6 weeks or so. And you get used to it and the pain goes away. I have to say, I didn't experience any pain with DS2.
persimmon / 1481 posts
I heard about this but it would probably cause more pain when you start nursing because your nipples will be all raw!
pomegranate / 3706 posts
Never ever ever ever. I was even specifically told in my breastfeeding class to ignore that advice particularly.
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