Since they have announced that they are ready to work, as evidenced by the tiny bit of colostrum I find every few days on them, do I need to do anything to get them ready for the job?
I got nipple butter in amongst some other things today, and I wondered if I should maybe be putting anything on them now? Kind of like putting oil on the belly to prevent stretch marks?
Side Note: DH finds the words "Nipple Butter" WILDLY HILARIOUS. I cannot believe he is going to be a parent. 
GOLD / papaya / 10166 posts
Nope! They'll be ready once the baby comes. Whatever you do, DO NOT "rough them up" like the wives tale says to.
Have you taken a breastfeeding class yet??
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
Nope, you just have to wait for your milk to come in after you deliver! Nipple butter is funny!
coconut / 8498 posts
Nope, there's no way you can prepare for what bf'ing will do I did start using nipple butter/thick lotion before LO arrived because my boobs were super, super itchy. TMI, but true.
nectarine / 2163 posts
I've heard that putting lanolin on them at least once a day to "condition" them is pretty helpful. My midwife also said to ty and expose them to sunlight when you can cause the UV light helps toughen the skin a little, but I dint try either of those so I can't tell you f they actually work or not
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
Hehe I find "nipple butter" to be hilarious as well!
Like @c.sassy, my boobs were super itchy and my nipples were really dry (and flaky! So gross) so I started using MotherLove Nipple Cream during my 8th month.
cantaloupe / 6610 posts
@BabyBoecksMom: No, I am going to a La Leche League meeting in a couple of weeks...And just going to from there. I have no idea how to work my pump or what I'm doing so I'm going with a Preg friend to then next couple of meetings...
grapefruit / 4120 posts
My doula told me to stop using soap on them or lotion or anything. Also the sunlight thing mentioned above. I would not recommend putting lanolin on them ahead of time because I think that would just make them potentially more sensitive, don't you think? And you don't want that....
papaya / 10560 posts
I agree with pp-I don't think anything can get your nips ready to be attacked!!
grapefruit / 4819 posts
Nope, they just need to toughen up on their own once LO gets here! Now what you can do after she arrives, that I didn't start doing until a couple of weeks in but wish I had done sooner, is to express a tiny bit of milk after each feed and rub it into your nipples, then let them air dry for a few minutes. I felt like a cave woman those first few weeks as I was constantly walking around our house with my boobs hanging out, lol! It really did help, but I honestly don't think there's anything you can do to toughen them up ahead of time!
pomelo / 5093 posts
I wouldn't suggest anything except reading and learning all you can about breatfeeding, and making a list of people who can help you if (when) you need a little help. La Leche League has people you can call even if you don't have meetings in your city. Lactation consultants, preferably IBCLC certified. I would also suggest making sure that your partner and family are 100% on board supporting your breastfeeding goals, whatever they may be.
Thirdly, I'd really suggest having a high quality electric pump, or access to one through borrowing or rental set up. I NEVER wanted to pump, and then my baby landed right in the nicu, and wouldn't breastfeed at first. I had to pump to establish supply and to feed her for the first five days. Had I not already had a pump, I'd have been wasting time and energy working to find one when I was discharged before she was.
I never had any soreness, or cracking, and my nipples never really toughened up. I just had a lot of really good help and got a great breastfeeding relationship established (in the nicu!) pretty quickly. It's all about the support.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
Great advice from everyone above!
I would keep them moisturized as much as possible now so you can stay in the habit once you start BFing and pumping. If your skin is dry, it makes it that much more difficult to massage the breast while you're feeding baby or pumping. And you don't wanna muck up your hands with lotion while doing one of those things. So if you're in the habit of keeping them moisturized you should be good when it's time to pump or feed!
That's one of those do as I say, not as I do things. I do not do this and my hands slip all over the place while I massage. And not being able to get a good grip makes it less effective, I'm sure.
pomegranate / 3643 posts
Is there anything you can do to help your milk come in sooner? Drinking lots of water or eating oatmeal? You can't drink the mothers milk tea when you are pregnant, right?
pineapple / 12234 posts
A friend told me to use a wash cloth to roughen up my nipples but it sounded uncomfortable so I skipped that.
pomelo / 5093 posts
@jedeve: Nothing will help in advance - just nurse like crazy as soon as you can. As early as you can and as often. Also, don't stress if your milk doesn't come in until day of life 4 or 5 - that is absolutely normal. I had colostrum only until then, but plenty for her needs.
And if something goes wrong and you don't have the perfect breastfeeding start, take comfort in my story. I started my supply with pumping, didn't successfully feed until day of life 5 - and at 13 months my baby is still crazy about her boo and breastfeeding frequently. Even if things go wrong at first, you can overcome it and have an ideal relationship.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 1 | 0 |
| Posts | 0 | 1 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
15 comments