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Pushy MIL advice, true?

DaniGirl0517DaniGirl0517 member
in Breastfeeding

My MIL (a nurse/controller of the world apparently) told me once that you have to "toughen up your nipples" before giving birth so that you are ready to nurse.  She said to walk around without a bra so the shirt rubs against them and also to take a rolled up towel and rub it back and forth.  Is there truth in this or is it an old wives tale?  Could it do more damage than good?  I don't know squat so thanks for any responses.

Oh, and sorry to TMI, but mine (not pg or anything yet) can take a lot so would this still be neccessary?  I'm so sorry to be TMI but who else could I ask?

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Re: Pushy MIL advice, true?

  • Dorr_Evil_TwinDorr_Evil_Twin
    I got the same advice. I tried it. didn't work. nothing will prepare your nips for it...NOTHING
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  • Shmoopy_pooShmoopy_poo
    I didn't do it and neither did anyone else I know (that EBF).  La Leche doesn't suggest this and the nurse that taught the BFing class I went to said you don't have to do it.
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  • At1stsightAt1stsight

    I wouldn't bother doing it beforehand, but I did let them 'air dry' and such once I was bfing to help them toughen up a bit and get used to bfing. It does hurt for a while but continually bfing and having them air dry helped me adjust.

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  • snickerdoodle27snickerdoodle27
    No you can't toughen up your nipples prior to bf-ing.
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  • ncbellencbelle member
    NOT true!  It can actually be damaging.  The wee bumps around your nipple secrete a substance that "lubes" your nipples (for lack of a better explanation!).  Any "toughening" techniques can rub that off which would be bad.


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  • madhatter2003madhatter2003

    It's an old wives tale.

     

    Luckily maybe yours will already be 'tough', but you'll just get through it like the rest of us  =)

    Good luck...PCOS sucks.

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  • clyoungseyclyoungsey

    imageDorr_Evil_Twin:
    I got the same advice. I tried it. didn't work. nothing will prepare your nips for it...NOTHING

    ditto...nothing can compare to a LO sucking machine!

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  • DaniGirl0517DaniGirl0517 member
    Very good to know!  I thought I had read something about it being damaging but couldn't find it again so I didn't say anything.  I know it's evil but I'm smiling just to know she's wrong.  Thank you!
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  • oak_lilyoak_lily

    You don't want to stimulate your nipples, it may send you into labor. As far as I know there is no truth to this, at least that is what was told in the breastfeeding classes I took before giving birth.

    Some advice I was given, don't listen to anyone, you know yourself better than anyone. A trick I learned was to respond with something like "Oh really I;ll have to try that" instead of arguing. I really wouldn't try it or take their advice.

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  • MamiJamMamiJam member

    The nurse that tought our childbirth class said it was unnecessary.  She was very knowledgeable and I'd trust her advice since her lovely words of wisdom helped enable me to have the natural birth I wanted. 

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  • MeghanF13MeghanF13 member

    imagencbelle:
    NOT true!  It can actually be damaging.  The wee bumps around your nipple secrete a substance that "lubes" your nipples (for lack of a better explanation!).  Any "toughening" techniques can rub that off which would be bad.

    this.

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  • jen5-03jen5-03 member
    imageoak_lily:

    You don't want to stimulate your nipples, it may send you into labor.

    This!! Nipple stim is a natural induction method and can also be used to strengthen contractions during labor. Plus, totally unnecessary for BFing, but if you have the urge to try it, don't do it before 37/38 weeks.

    - Jena
    image
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