People are telling me to "toughen up my nipples for BFing"

katie4253 · April 2011

Really? Is this something that should really be done? I honestly don't think I'll be able to bring myself to do it.

sharonstevens85 · April 2011

My mom told me she would take a rough towel to her nipples to "toughen" them up... I never did when I had DS. Breastfeeding does hurt when you first start, I'm not sure if toughening your nips actually helps.

katie4253 · April 2011

sharonstevens85:
My mom told me she would take a rough towel to her nipples to "toughen" them up... I never did when I had DS. Breastfeeding does hurt when you first start, I'm not sure if toughening your nips actually helps.

Yeah that's what I was told too. I was told to "take a washcloth and rub you nipples until they are almost raw. Repeat every couple days to toughen them up"

I cannot really imagine that this would make the process of BFing more comfortable. It seems like it would just cause pain before BFing and that you would have to endure the normal BFing pain too.

aesf · April 2011

yikes. now there is a scary concept.

lucylea · April 2011

There is no need to do this! First of all, they will get enough abuse when its time to nurse, and second of all nothing you can do to them will compare to said abuse.

yellowbirdandco · April 2011

HA! I heard this too, and this is how it happened:

My 6'4" 300 lb. Hagrid-look-alike father was talking to me about the baby coming, and he said (in his big gravelly voice), "Yea, I used to go with your mother to those La Leche meetings and I was the only one who'd read the manual. *GRUMBLE MUMBLE* Now whatcha oughta do is, take a dry washcloth every time before you shower and rub your nipples with it so they'll toughen up and it won't hurt when you're breastfeeding. *GRUMBLE MUMBLE*"

Now I have a GREAT relationship with my dad, and my mom lives 22 hours away. But it was still the LAST thing I wanted to hear from my DAD. He's so FUNNY! :P

katie4253 · April 2011

lucylea:
There is no need to do this! First of all, they will get enough abuse when its time to nurse, and second of all nothing you can do to them will compare to said abuse.

I'm not going to do it. The very thought of it makes me want to cry. I was just wondering if there is anything valid about it. Upon googling it sounds like I *could* apply nipple cream to soften things up and make sure my nipples are moisturized before bfing.

Also, I haven't leaked colostrum yet. You'd think rubbing the hell out of your nipples and stimulating them would encourage that. I'm good with letting it come on its own...

asnowracer · April 2011

Absolutely a myth. I asked the very same washcloth question (after hearing someone else's ill advice) to my Lactation Consultant and her response was "now why would you want to do that?"

lucylea · April 2011

katie4253:
Upon googling it sounds like I *could* apply nipple cream to soften things up and make sure my nipples are moisturized before bfing.

This probably isn't a bad idea. I didn't use it beforehand with DD, but will definitely be using nipple cream before and after each feeding this time around.

mbritto4 · April 2011

I think it's a OWT but I'm not a BF expert. I have heard of people starting to wear the nipple shells in 3rd tri if they have flat or inverted nipples to bring them out to make BFing easier.

abergale · April 2011

My lacation consultant said no need to do this all it will do is cause you pain. With DD no toughening and I didn't have cracking, bleeding, or anything. If the baby latches properly and you rub some bm on them and let them air drive you will be just fine. You can use some lanolin if you have some dry skin or if you really have a problem.

MFAinNYC · April 2011

When I read the thread title, I imagined people giving themselves purple nurples.

sharonstevens85 · April 2011

lucylea:
katie4253:
Upon googling it sounds like I *could* apply nipple cream to soften things up and make sure my nipples are moisturized before bfing.
This probably isn't a bad idea. I didn't use it beforehand with DD, but will definitely be using nipple cream before and after each feeding this time around.

Make sure you research the nipple cream. I know Medela makes one that is safe for your nipples and baby but there are a few my lactation nurse at the hospital said they contained something that wasn't good for baby. Wish I had more info regarding that, but I forget it all!!

LyndseyLC · April 2011

I am not sure of this. I had my 28 week appt. today and the Dr gave me a list of things to keep from going into pre term labor and one of them was do not prepare your nipples for BF. but that might just mean dont pinch them and squirt out the stuff.

colorschemer · April 2011

Reading this thread actually made me squirm a little. Ack.

amos07 · April 2011

abergale:
My lacation consultant said no need to do this all it will do is cause you pain. With DD no toughening and I didn't have cracking, bleeding, or anything. If the baby latches properly and you rub some bm on them and let them air drive you will be just fine. You can use some lanolin if you have some dry skin or if you really have a problem.

Unfortunately this statement isn't always true. I had a great latch according to my lactation consultant and I still ended up with bleeding and cracking for a good 6 weeks. It was so bad in the first week that I had to feed off one side and pump the other because the cracking was so deep. My lactation consultant said DD was a vigorous sucker and there was little I could do other than wait for them to toughen up. The bm on them after feeding does help soothe them though.

pettycrocker · April 2011

lol the first thing I thought when I read this is..

"how the heck do you toughen them up? have someone chew on them for a while???"

So weird.

JennV514 · April 2011

Why do people think it's appropriate to discuss your nipples?? Seriously, is nothing off limits to say to a pregnant woman? So not ok.

FyshWyfe · April 2011

I think this is an OWT. Don't bother. And BF may not hurt for you - it didn't for me.

FyshWyfe · April 2011

JennV514:
Why do people think it's appropriate to discuss your nipples?? Seriously, is nothing off limits to say to a pregnant woman? So not ok.

Seriously, I had my boss's husband tell me to take a dry TOOTHBRUSH to my nips. Ewww.

Gummybear · April 2011

I must have had the best BF experience ever with DD because my nipples were FINE. I little sore at first, but NOTHING that would have required toughening up before. Either that or I already had tough leathery nips. Stick out tongue

Kristen61607 · April 2011

LyndseyLC:
I am not sure of this. I had my 28 week appt. today and the Dr gave me a list of things to keep from going into pre term labor and one of them was do not prepare your nipples for BF. but that might just mean dont pinch them and squirt out the stuff.

I head that "prepping your nipples" can cause PTL as well. Definitely don't do it!

Five_letter · April 2011

My dentist told me (awkward) that I should start putting lanolin lotion on them two weeks before my due date to help keep them moisturized and prevent cracking.

katiewhompus · April 2011

Several of the lactation books/1st year books I've read said not to toughen them up. Nursing will be uncomfortable but if there is acute pain to speak with a consultant. They likened it to working out. Your muscles should be sore/obviously worked, but if there is actual pain then something is wrong that needs to be fixed.

MilMom2B · April 2011

Like a gazillion other PPs already pointed out this is an OLD myth/recommendation. Entirely unnecessary! Do not abuse yourself. *hugs*

abell77 · April 2011

no! do not do this, there is no point to it. it's an old wives tale that has no merit.

MommySteph2009 · April 2011

lucylea:
There is no need to do this! First of all, they will get enough abuse when its time to nurse, and second of all nothing you can do to them will compare to said abuse.

Ditto this, I don't think there is anything you can do to get ready for the first few weeks of nursing.

mytwobabies · April 2011

I've heard it as well and its really just an old wives tale. I was told by a lactation consultant that there is nothing you can do to "toughen" them. BF will be painful at first but you will survive through it.

miller4285 · May 2011

Stupid myth. I can tell you I never made any preparations and never once had sore, bleeding or cracked nipples. And I was constantly hooked up to a pump or child. I used lanolin or vitamon E religiously....I did not use soap on my nipples, and I made sure to change nursing pads often to keep the area dry. Also, proper latch on is key to reducing sore nipples (Some people still don't get that the baby should open it's mouth WIDE and get nipple AND areola in it's mouth.......the babck should not be "sucking" milk out. Like a straw. Look up how proper bfing should really work as far as baby getting milk)