https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2368938 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 03:07:34 +0000 erinpye 2368938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Never ever ever ever. I was even specifically told in my breastfeeding class to ignore that advice particularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2368406 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:33:39 +0000 turquoisemama 2368406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I heard about this but it would probably cause more pain when you start nursing because your nipples will be all raw! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2368057 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 11:11:28 +0000 PawPrints 2368057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with everyone, it's an old wives tale. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2368034 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:58:34 +0000 Ajsmommy 2368034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LOL, my aunt told me to do this. I didn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2368030 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:57:24 +0000 Mommy Finger 2368030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367888 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 09:30:51 +0000 avivoca 2367888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't do it! It won't help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367885 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 09:25:57 +0000 blackbird 2367885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is old information. Don't do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367851 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 08:45:46 +0000 LuLu Mom 2367851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367833 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 08:28:05 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2367833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367824 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 08:08:13 +0000 Happygal 2367824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Let your nipples be free from pain while you can. Don't do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367820 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 07:55:30 +0000 mediagirl 2367820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Noooo don't' do it! Why cause yourself unnecessary pain!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367819 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 07:54:57 +0000 lady baltimore 2367819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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.</p> <p>I'll tell her the internet thinks she's full of it. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367763 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 02:26:25 +0000 danda 2367763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367761 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 02:18:03 +0000 Purpledaisy 2367761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with previous posts. It's an old wives tale, don't do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367760 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 01:53:00 +0000 Zbug 2367760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't do it!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367738 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 00:49:13 +0000 sarac 2367738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL suggested this as well. Did an entire generation of women do this? Do they have permanent nipple damage??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367704 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 22:55:40 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2367704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367691 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 22:41:08 +0000 Rockies11 2367691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367683 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 22:37:39 +0000 hellobeeboston 2367683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't and I agree with @hilsy85: about latch pain. </p> <p>I would just anticipate a few days adjustment, and bring lanolin and use it after every single feeding, esp at first!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367650 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 22:06:35 +0000 travellingbee 2367650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope nope nope. That won't help. It can be harmful.<br /> <a href="http://www.llli.org/faq/breastprep.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.llli.org/faq/breastprep.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367641 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 22:02:41 +0000 Anya 2367641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL told me to do this!! :shocked: I did not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367635 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:56:16 +0000 tofuwad 2367635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367628 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:50:37 +0000 jetsa 2367628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL made a comment about it after I had my son, I'd never heard it before that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367627 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:50:36 +0000 mrsmacandcheese 2367627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My SMIL said something similar. Totally an old wives tale. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367622 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:48:59 +0000 MrsSRS 2367622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367620 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:47:41 +0000 hilsy85 2367620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Didn't do it and it wouldn't have mattered I think. Latch pain is very different from surface pain from friction! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/roughing-up-nipples#post-2367619 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:46:07 +0000 lady baltimore 2367619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.</p> <p>I have never heard of this, though I guess it makes sense. Have you heard of it? Did you do it? Did it help? </p>