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2nd Trimester
comment from a stranger
Just had to share. My Mom & I were shopping at a jewelry store in the mall this weekend and I got a doozy of a comment, or at least I thought it was. My Mom told the sales girl that I am pregnant. She asked me if I planned on BFing, which I am. She was a huge supporter of that. Whatever. Nothing unusual. She then proceeds (loudly) to tell me that I need to have my husband toughen up my nipples now, by pinching them or whatever, because BFing hurts. Several other strangers started staring. I wanted to tell her STFU and that my lactation consultant says that if it is painful, you're probably doing it wrong.
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Re: comment from a stranger
I've never BF so I know I risk looking like a newbie know it all but I've heard from a lot of women that for a while it hurts even if you're doing it right. Your nips are sensitive and aren't used to that much action.
That being said I'm still shocked at what some people are willing to discuss with strangers.
I can't remember what show it was but I remember the women was pg and her H was rubbing a rolled up towel back and forth across her nipples to "toughen them up." YIKES!!!
GROSE!
I dont know what it is about meeting a pregnant woman that some people think it is an open door to give some of the most awful advice! Let alone to a stranger.
I actually disagree with your LC. It can be very painful at first, even if you're doing it right. It has nothing to do with toughening up your nipples, it just has to do with your baby figuring out the proper latch and suction. With both of my babies it made my toes curl for the first week and then was fine.
But I have also read that you shouldn't try to toughen up your nipples.
My SIL said it was painful at first too. LC was probably embellishing a bit. Guess I'll find out in April. Def. not going to try to toughen them up though.
I disagree with your LC.
I BF'd my DS. I had a really easy time and he had a great latch right from the start. There weren't any issues and yes I was doing it right. I had several nurses who were all LC's to help guide me at first when I was in the hospital because it was my first time and I didn't know what I was doing. The first couple of weeks your nipples will get so sensitive that yes it can be painful. I dreaded having to BF at first because it was painful. Also when your milk comes in, your boobs get so engourged that it contributes to the pain and sensitivity. However, after the 1st few weeks, when your milk regulates and your nipples get used to it, it became really easy and completely pain free.
Invest in lots of Lansinoh nipple cream.
Invest in lots of Lansinoh nipple cream.
lol. I will. Thanks for the tip.
It was excruciatingly painful at first - even with a good latch and doing everything right.
but that girl - too much!
That lady was completely inappropriate - not to mention that is very dated advice and not at all recommended anymore for many reasons.
But I also have to ditto the PPs. BFing, even when done properly, hurts at first. I had a LC consultant tell me the same thing that yours did and at 2wks post partum I was in the doc's office crying my eyes out because BFing hurt, I was convinced it shouldn't because of that lovely advice, and I thought something was wrong. It was very emotionally draining and I wish more LCs would be more realistic. It does hurt at first - but it gets so much better over time!! GL!!
DD - February 2011
my mil told me to scrub my nipples with a toothbrush to toughen them up....yeah, like I'm going to do that! when my DH overheard her say that he basically told her to get her nose out of our business and away from my boobs!
then at thanksgiving (I'm in Canada) when I went to pour the water off the vegetables, she told my FIL to do it so I wouldn't burn my boobs......why the obsession with my boobs?!?
Oh my. That is way too much interest in your boobs.
I don't think most lactation consultants will tell you that toughening your nipples is necessary or even beneficial. How old was this lady? I think she is probably giving you old school advice.
The sales lady was probably about 24-30 years old, I guess. The LC is about 47 and would never tell me to toughen my nips.
I agree with the others (broken record at this point!) - it hurts, even if you are doing it right.
It hurts in the beginning for a solid 1-2 weeks. Nipples are just not used to that sort of work.
And then it hurts again when the first two teeth come in.
And then again when another two teeth come in.
And then again when your child realizes that they can bite the thing that's in their mouth. Or whip their head around, suddenly, not breaking the latch.
But it's still worth it.
Not a fan of the OWT of scrubbing them to prep them.
Just wait until after you've had the baby... It becomes every woman's business if you're BF (cashiers, random old ladies, aunts, grandmas, etc). And it also becomes their business how often you do it, and how long you choose to do it. There will come a point where your boobs are no longer yours. They are your child's, and apparently community property.
Happy breastfeeding!! :-)