STM breastfeeding question

sunnysunsun · November 2014

When I first told my mom that I was planning on breastfeeding, she suggested that I "prep" my nipples. She said to take a dry cloth and rub it across my nipples. She said not to an extreme, but enough to "toughen" them up. I was FREAKED out by this, so I went to BF websites read that you don't have to do this. However, at my last appointment with the MW, she suggest I do this as well. She said women with fair skin usually have sensitive skin and experience the most discomfort or pain in early weeks of BF. She also suggested not wearing a bra and allowing my nipples to rest against my clothes when at home and/or if I have a private place to allow my nipples to be exposed to the sun. She said not to get sun burnt, but just exposed.

So, I guess my question is, did you hear this advice and take it? Do you feel that it made a difference? Or did you not take this advice and experience usual pain and discomfort of BF and wish you did?

I've done it casually when I finish showering, but I'm still skeptical if it makes a difference.

Thanks ladies!

[Deleted User] · November 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

sunnysunsun · November 2014

laece said:

I did nothing to prepare myself for nursing. There's NOTHING to do to prepare for the feeling of your soul being sucked through your chest. Just remember to be patient and know that things will toughen up on their own with baby's use. You'll do great.

Thank you so much! I really want to be successful with bfing. My husband is totally supportive too, so I hope that helps.

ECATX · November 2014

I didn't. I was actually really concerned because my nipples were so sensitive and sore the whole time I was pregnant with DD - I couldn't imagine what was going to happen when I started breastfeeding! I did end up with a cracked nipple in the hospital from feeding DD in a bad position, but once that healed, I wasn't uncomfortable at all. I don't think there's much you can really do in advance that will make a difference.

CanukMam · November 2014

I did nothing and had no issues with pain/cracking or sore nipples whatsoever. I'm also fairly fair skinned. My nipples are fairly sensitive now though but that sort of goes away.. at least for me.

I count myself as one of the lucky ones!!

WormyGo · November 2014

I'm a FTM so have no personal experiences, but I wouldn't want to expose my nipples to the sun. Even small amounts of sun can cause damage to cells and it doesn't seem likely it would help.

honeybeee3 · November 2014

I didn't do any type of preparations for nursing. I don't feel like it would make that big of a difference. I think breastfeeding is going to be painful and uncomfortable no matter what, but it's not unbearable. It will take some time for you to adjust but once you do, it's great. It's totally worth it IMO.

UberBiz · November 2014

No. No prepping here. Sometimes breastfeeding is just really hard at the beginning, and I don't think any amount of "prepping" is going to help that. Latch, positioning, and supply/demand. I had no lasting issues nursing my two previous children.

YaMrWhite · November 2014

I'm not putting myself through anything like this. That will only add on to whatever I experience when the time comes. BFing was pretty damn painful at times those first few weeks but it doesn't last long.

Mrs_Bennett · November 2014

YaMrWhite said:
I'm not putting myself through anything like this. That will only add on to whatever I experience when the time comes. BFing was pretty damn painful at times those first few weeks but it doesn't last long.

This exactly. Breastfeeding can be painful at first, but I've never heard of anyone avoiding that by "toughening" their nipples beforehand.

4littlebears · November 2014

And buy yourself some nipple cream, it is very soothing. But no, I didn't toughen mine either.

kellyfo14 · November 2014

Nope Nope nope. I would skip that. I have nursed two babies and did nothing to prepare either time. My only suggestion is that if you have smallish nipples pick up nipple shields. Not only do they protect your nipple but that can help with drawing out the nipple too so you can get a good latch. The hospital would provide them but they charge a fortune compared to what you can get them for and a little practice with them would be helpful!

shannjohnston · November 2014

My MIL suggested this. I did not follow through. I didn't experience any bleeding/cracking/thrush/general badness, though DS was a Hoover and I did get some bruising.

kellyfo14 · November 2014

Oh! And if you do get cracking or abrasions in the beginning and if nipple ointment doesn't seem to help Neosporin saved my life! The doc okayed it as long as I washed them off before nursing again. I swear it sped of the healing so much and numbed the pain too. I would actually put it directly on a breast pad then apply it to my nipples. An issue with position or latch is likely at the heart of a problem with cracking or abrasions but the neosporin helped me heal fast enough that the whole process of getting to the right latch was manageable.

sunnysunsun · November 2014

Thank you ladies, this has been really insightful! Do you think coconut oil will be helpful? I use it all over my body, but should I use something strong on my nipple when I do start BF?

kellyfo14 · November 2014

@Mazinator‌ I would suggest that you bring a few things to try. You may have a very easy time of it and just need nipple ointment, i never used coconut oil myself and i would ask about allergens but don't see why you couldn't. And have them within reach as much as possible when you get home. Aquafor was useful to me. I felt the lansinoh didn't do much but your experience might be different. You will be amazed at how tied to the couch/wherever you are in the first few weeks. Have snacks at the ready too and tons of water! You will look down to nurse and look up and it will be hours later and you realize you have to pee like crazy and you haven't eaten in forever! Especially when they are cluster feeding (something I just had no clue about before my first).

ETA

Maebb · November 2014

My mom told me to put teabags on my nipples because the tannins in the tea supposedly prep the nipple. She said I could Google it. I LOLed and told her to look up tea bagging on urban dictionary because that could have a totally different meaning and some unwanted Google results. She was shocked.

I didn't do anything to prep my nipples, and like PPs said, I don't think it would have made a difference. The first few weeks of BF were pretty painful but my nipples toughened up and got used to it. Lanolin was helpful, and I'm sure coconut oil is good too.

Jen524 · November 2014

I breastfed both of my kids for a year and I never did anything to prepare. The first few weeks were not that enjoyable, but I found that applying Lanolin lotion after each feeding really helped with dry/cracked nipples. After the first few weeks all was fine. It does take an adjustment period.

aerotigergirl · November 2014

Nope, I didn't do anything ahead of time to prep for BFing. I did have some discomfort in the beginning (maybe the first 2-3 weeks?) but I just powered through it. It usually only lasted the first 15-20 seconds of any given nursing session anyway, and eventually it stopped hurting at all.

We were lucky because DS never had any latch issues, and my milk production was good, so it just took a few weeks to get past the initial soreness. It's different for everyone, I know, but this was our experience.

I used Medela Lanolin (be aware: a little goes a long long way, and it will leave stains on your clothes) and these gel pads by Lansinoh when I was in the worst of it (probably around day 6 or so). The gel pads were great because you can store them in the fridge when you're not using them so that they're nice and cool when you apply them, and they're re-usable (up to 3 days, I think).

AggieMom0809 · November 2014

I'd never heard of the advice in the OP and never did anything to prep with the first two. This time I have been using Lanolin only because they are already very sensitive. My nipples only hurt with the first two when the babies weren't latched on well. The LC was very insistent that if it feeding was painful, the most common cause was a poor latch and to try again immediatly.

BackseatDriver · November 2014

No prep. I go to Le Leche League meetings and they don't recommend prepping your nipples and I don't believe Kelly Mom or the Nursing Mother's Companion recommended it either.

aerotigergirl · November 2014

AggieMom0809 said: I'd never heard of the advice in the OP and never did anything to prep with the first two. This time I have been using Lanolin only because they are already very sensitive. My nipples only hurt with the first two when the babies weren't latched on well. The LC was very insistent that if it feeding was painful, the most common cause was a poor latch and to try again immediatly. ---------------------------UGH, QUOTE FAIL.....--------------------------------------------------I've heard this a number of times, but I want to interject here and say that this seems like bogus and flippant information that gets tossed around too easily.

Even if you're "doing it right," you're exposing a part of your body to routine stimulation in a new way. It doesn't seem illogical, or an indication that you're "doing it wrong," if you perceive some level of pain/discomfort at this new level of stimulation until you get accustomed to it.

Secondly, "pain" and "discomfort" are completely subjective. So, while a LC may say "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong..." that statement is completely meaningless. What may hurt one person may be nothing at all to another person.

So, there are plenty of mothering obstacles that we all have to face while raising our kids. LC's (or anyone else) spouting that "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong!" seems to be an unfair thing to say, and it seems like it discourages so many women from continuing to BF because they suddenly think they're doing it incorrectly. Certainly, there are moms and babies who do have trouble with latch issues that cause huge amounts of pain, and I'm not saying that the latch is never the cause of pain mom is experiencing. LC's are a great resource and can definitely help you figure out how to do BFing if you're new and have no idea how to go about it (like I was). But I feel like it's possible to be "doing it right" and still experience a level of pain/discomfort, because that was my experience, and I BF'd my son until he was 3 (so we were doing something right).

LauraElizabeth85 · November 2014

Just get some nipple cream and ensure a proper latch. It's going to hurt for the first few days.

cassied7 · November 2014

I didn't prep mine either. I went home from the hospital with bloody cracked nipples, so the only thing I will do different this time is bring coconut oil or lanolish to the hospital with me. No one told me to use it right away last time, so that was a big fail on my part.

4littlebears · November 2014

aerotigergirl said:

AggieMom0809 said:

I'd never heard of the advice in the OP and never did anything to prep with the first two. This time I have been using Lanolin only because they are already very sensitive. My nipples only hurt with the first two when the babies weren't latched on well. The LC was very insistent that if it feeding was painful, the most common cause was a poor latch and to try again immediatly.

---------------------------UGH, QUOTE FAIL.....--------------------------------------------------I've heard this a number of times, but I want to interject here and say that this seems like bogus and flippant information that gets tossed around too easily.

Even if you're "doing it right," you're exposing a part of your body to routine stimulation in a new way. It doesn't seem illogical, or an indication that you're "doing it wrong," if you perceive some level of pain/discomfort at this new level of stimulation until you get accustomed to it.

Secondly, "pain" and "discomfort" are completely subjective. So, while a LC may say "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong..." that statement is completely meaningless. What may hurt one person may be nothing at all to another person.

So, there are plenty of mothering obstacles that we all have to face while raising our kids. LC's (or anyone else) spouting that "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong!" seems to be an unfair thing to say, and it seems like it discourages so many women from continuing to BF because they suddenly think they're doing it incorrectly. Certainly, there are moms and babies who do have trouble with latch issues that cause huge amounts of pain, and I'm not saying that the latch is never the cause of pain mom is experiencing. LC's are a great resource and can definitely help you figure out how to do BFing if you're new and have no idea how to go about it (like I was). But I feel like it's possible to be "doing it right" and still experience a level of pain/discomfort, because that was my experience, and I BF'd my son until he was 3 (so we were doing something right).

~~Another quote fail~~
Yes to this. I had a lot of pain with my first, and bleeding. Maybe I might have still been learning, but everyone's going to be different. I gritted my teeth through the pain for a few days and made it all the way through 13 months of bf'ing him. Then went on your breastfeed 2 more kids with a lot less pain and no bleeding.

LaBellaVida · November 2014

My mom told me this advice, and I did it with my first and second, I still had discomfort but nothing real bad.
With my 3rd I didn't 'prep' and it hurt so damn bad! I found out around 8 months he was tongue tied, which explains how bad it hurt in the beginning.

I'll probably prep this time, just because it can't hurt to try and alleviate some pain.

I started at 8 months with my first 2.

thompnia · November 2014

No prepping here, and I never had any discomfort or pain. My husband is a boob man, and I think over the years he helped prepare me, lol.

AggieMom0809 · November 2014

aerotigergirl said:

AggieMom0809 said:

I'd never heard of the advice in the OP and never did anything to prep with the first two. This time I have been using Lanolin only because they are already very sensitive. My nipples only hurt with the first two when the babies weren't latched on well. The LC was very insistent that if it feeding was painful, the most common cause was a poor latch and to try again immediatly.

---------------------------UGH, QUOTE FAIL.....--------------------------------------------------I've heard this a number of times, but I want to interject here and say that this seems like bogus and flippant information that gets tossed around too easily.

Even if you're "doing it right," you're exposing a part of your body to routine stimulation in a new way. It doesn't seem illogical, or an indication that you're "doing it wrong," if you perceive some level of pain/discomfort at this new level of stimulation until you get accustomed to it.

Secondly, "pain" and "discomfort" are completely subjective. So, while a LC may say "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong..." that statement is completely meaningless. What may hurt one person may be nothing at all to another person.

So, there are plenty of mothering obstacles that we all have to face while raising our kids. LC's (or anyone else) spouting that "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong!" seems to be an unfair thing to say, and it seems like it discourages so many women from continuing to BF because they suddenly think they're doing it incorrectly. Certainly, there are moms and babies who do have trouble with latch issues that cause huge amounts of pain, and I'm not saying that the latch is never the cause of pain mom is experiencing. LC's are a great resource and can definitely help you figure out how to do BFing if you're new and have no idea how to go about it (like I was). But I feel like it's possible to be "doing it right" and still experience a level of pain/discomfort, because that was my experience, and I BF'd my son until he was 3 (so we were doing something right).

It will most likely be uncomfortable at least the first few times, but there is a big difference between discomfort and pain. While both levels are subjective, if you are wanting to scream every time the baby latches, chances are they are latched on wrong.

CanukMam · November 2014

with my experience, if I ever experienced any discomfort and I popped LO off and back on again then it immediately corrected the problem. The only other pain I experienced was when LO would bite me (only happened a few times and luckily before teeth came in!). If a LC says that it's the most common reason for pain, I would probably believe that (based on my experience) and I don't think it's bad advice, as it proposes the simplest solution.

This is another example of every person and every baby is different. I think the key thing is not to just accept pain/discomfort as being part of the process. Too many times have I been to the Dr complaining about pain and I'm told to 'suck it up' & 'what did you expect'. I am not a complainer and I think I have a high pain tolerance, but that doesn't mean that I don't try to make myself comfortable if at all possible and try to understand why something is causing me pain. Ignoring these things and accepting them as par for the course should not be the norm.

sunnysunsun · November 2014

LaBellaVida said:
My mom told me this advice, and I did it with my first and second, I still had discomfort but nothing real bad.
With my 3rd I didn't 'prep' and it hurt so damn bad! I found out around 8 months he was tongue tied, which explains how bad it hurt in the beginning.

I'll probably prep this time, just because it can't hurt to try and alleviate some pain.

I started at 8 months with my first 2.

That's really interesting! I've seen many responses of not, I wasn't sure if anyone ever did! What did you do to prep?

LaBellaVida · November 2014

Mazinator said:

LaBellaVida said:
My mom told me this advice, and I did it with my first and second, I still had discomfort but nothing real bad.
With my 3rd I didn't 'prep' and it hurt so damn bad! I found out around 8 months he was tongue tied, which explains how bad it hurt in the beginning.

I'll probably prep this time, just because it can't hurt to try and alleviate some pain.

I started at 8 months with my first 2.
That's really interesting! I've seen many responses of not, I wasn't sure if anyone ever did! What did you do to prep?

I used a loofah while I was in the shower. I just scrubbed for a min or so on each side.

YaMrWhite · November 2014

LaBellaVida said:

My mom told me this advice, and I did it with my first and second, I still had discomfort but nothing real bad. With my 3rd I didn't 'prep' and it hurt so damn bad! I found out around 8 months he was tongue tied, which explains how bad it hurt in the beginning. I'll probably prep this time, just because it can't hurt to try and alleviate some pain. I started at 8 months with my first 2.
That's really interesting! I've seen many responses of not, I wasn't sure if anyone ever did! What did you do to prep?
I used a loofah while I was in the shower. I just scrubbed for a min or so on each side.

Nope, no thanks! Haha [-(

jneden · November 2014

I did this too but it did not help at all. Breastfeeding hurts at first and it's really hard but it gets easier.

Lanolin was a lifesaver!! Make sure you have some on hand.

MNgirl326 · November 2014

in all the info i was given by my OB at my 8 week appointment it said NOT to do this. Stimulating nipples can bring on PML and doesn't do anything anyway.

I kind of just stay away from my nipples.

Last time i just made sure i had good nipple cream, a good latch and correct fitting pump parts

GirlWithAnchors · November 2014

To be honest for me it didn't actually hurt until I started pumping and that's because the cups were too small for my huge pepperoni nipples. I had to get like an extra extra large for my nipples and then it was a dream to pump. Super smooth. But baby latched on was hard as hell! (Hence the pumping) but like PP said nipple cream and talk to a lactation consultant about what's best for you. And if you plan to pump make sure you have the right cops cause IT HURTS. Lol

Trek3 · November 2014

aerotigergirl said:

AggieMom0809 said:

I'd never heard of the advice in the OP and never did anything to prep with the first two. This time I have been using Lanolin only because they are already very sensitive. My nipples only hurt with the first two when the babies weren't latched on well. The LC was very insistent that if it feeding was painful, the most common cause was a poor latch and to try again immediatly.

---------------------------UGH, QUOTE FAIL.....--------------------------------------------------I've heard this a number of times, but I want to interject here and say that this seems like bogus and flippant information that gets tossed around too easily.

Even if you're "doing it right," you're exposing a part of your body to routine stimulation in a new way. It doesn't seem illogical, or an indication that you're "doing it wrong," if you perceive some level of pain/discomfort at this new level of stimulation until you get accustomed to it.

Secondly, "pain" and "discomfort" are completely subjective. So, while a LC may say "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong..." that statement is completely meaningless. What may hurt one person may be nothing at all to another person.

So, there are plenty of mothering obstacles that we all have to face while raising our kids. LC's (or anyone else) spouting that "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong!" seems to be an unfair thing to say, and it seems like it discourages so many women from continuing to BF because they suddenly think they're doing it incorrectly. Certainly, there are moms and babies who do have trouble with latch issues that cause huge amounts of pain, and I'm not saying that the latch is never the cause of pain mom is experiencing. LC's are a great resource and can definitely help you figure out how to do BFing if you're new and have no idea how to go about it (like I was). But I feel like it's possible to be "doing it right" and still experience a level of pain/discomfort, because that was my experience, and I BF'd my son until he was 3 (so we were doing something right).

__________ quote fail here too_________

I was in terrible pain for at least the first month with DD#1. Her latch was GREAT, checked by nurses and LCs, and not the problem at all.

Part of it was toughening up my nipples, but the majority of the pain came from her being uncomfortable and clamping down/squirming while on the breast (which I didn't recognize for what it was, or know enough to get her off the boob). Sometimes she just had to burp, but we found out months later that she has allergies. She was always uncomfortable and trying to deal with gas/sore stomach.

I was also told in the beginning to always nurse for 20 minutes a side - this just tortured both of us when she was done eating and I was told to keep going and try to wake her up for 20 minutes on the other side. Sometimes, they are done eating, just let them sleep and try again next time.....

Trek3 · November 2014

MrsDigger10 said:

Mazinator said:

Thank you ladies, this has been really insightful! Do you think coconut oil will be helpful? I use it all over my body, but should I use something strong on my nipple when I do start BF?

------------------------quote fail, usually this only happen if I am mobile bumping... weird

@Mazinator I loved coconut oil! I only BF'd for a week and then pumped for 3, but it helped me nonetheless. And, you don't have to wash it off before baby nurses (most nipple creams you don't). I also used it on DS's bottom at every diaper change as he got older-- he has super sensitive skin and it really helped to form a good barrier. I am bringing it to the hospital for myself and LO this time

ETA: expressed breast milk is really the best this for sore/cracked nipples. Rub a little on there when LO is done nursing and let air dry.

_________quote fail____________Breast milk is the best for sore nips! It is REALLY important to let them dry, and give them a few minutes without anything pressing or rubbing on them.

When home alone, I would rub in breast milk, let it dry for as long as possible, then rub in the nipple cream and do up my bra with cotton nursing pads. Make sure you change the pads if they are wet, or you can get yeast growing on your nipples. Letting them get a few minutes of sunlight (just through a window) can help them heal and kill yeast as well.

I bought breast milk collection shells to try out this time, they can catch the milk that is let down on the side you aren't feeding on - they will also give the nipples air and hopefully help the healing process when sore.

https://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=2688887

AggieMom0809 · November 2014

Trek3 said:

aerotigergirl said:

AggieMom0809 said:

I'd never heard of the advice in the OP and never did anything to prep with the first two. This time I have been using Lanolin only because they are already very sensitive. My nipples only hurt with the first two when the babies weren't latched on well. The LC was very insistent that if it feeding was painful, the most common cause was a poor latch and to try again immediatly.

---------------------------UGH, QUOTE FAIL.....--------------------------------------------------I've heard this a number of times, but I want to interject here and say that this seems like bogus and flippant information that gets tossed around too easily.

Even if you're "doing it right," you're exposing a part of your body to routine stimulation in a new way. It doesn't seem illogical, or an indication that you're "doing it wrong," if you perceive some level of pain/discomfort at this new level of stimulation until you get accustomed to it.

Secondly, "pain" and "discomfort" are completely subjective. So, while a LC may say "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong..." that statement is completely meaningless. What may hurt one person may be nothing at all to another person.

So, there are plenty of mothering obstacles that we all have to face while raising our kids. LC's (or anyone else) spouting that "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong!" seems to be an unfair thing to say, and it seems like it discourages so many women from continuing to BF because they suddenly think they're doing it incorrectly. Certainly, there are moms and babies who do have trouble with latch issues that cause huge amounts of pain, and I'm not saying that the latch is never the cause of pain mom is experiencing. LC's are a great resource and can definitely help you figure out how to do BFing if you're new and have no idea how to go about it (like I was). But I feel like it's possible to be "doing it right" and still experience a level of pain/discomfort, because that was my experience, and I BF'd my son until he was 3 (so we were doing something right).

__________ quote fail here too_________

I was in terrible pain for at least the first month with DD#1. Her latch was GREAT, checked by nurses and LCs, and not the problem at all.

Part of it was toughening up my nipples, but the majority of the pain came from her being uncomfortable and clamping down/squirming while on the breast (which I didn't recognize for what it was, or know enough to get her off the boob). Sometimes she just had to burp, but we found out months later that she has allergies. She was always uncomfortable and trying to deal with gas/sore stomach.

I was also told in the beginning to always nurse for 20 minutes a side - this just tortured both of us when she was done eating and I was told to keep going and try to wake her up for 20 minutes on the other side. Sometimes, they are done eating, just let them sleep and try again next time.....

This still has to do with the latch. If she could be latched great to begin with, but not stay that way throughout the whole feeding. If she started clamping down, that's not a good latch.

Trek3 · November 2014

AggieMom0809 said:

Trek3 said:

__________ quote fail here too_________
I was in terrible pain for at least the first month with DD#1. Her latch was GREAT, checked by nurses and LCs, and not the problem at all.
Part of it was toughening up my nipples, but the majority of the pain came from her being uncomfortable and clamping down/squirming while on the breast (which I didn't recognize for what it was, or know enough to get her off the boob). Sometimes she just had to burp, but we found out months later that she has allergies. She was always uncomfortable and trying to deal with gas/sore stomach.
I was also told in the beginning to always nurse for 20 minutes a side - this just tortured both of us when she was done eating and I was told to keep going and try to wake her up for 20 minutes on the other side. Sometimes, they are done eating, just let them sleep and try again next time.....

This still has to do with the latch. If she could be latched great to begin with, but not stay that way throughout the whole feeding. If she started clamping down, that's not a good latch.

Not to argue, but really - it was not to do with latch. When clamping, usually she wasn't trying to eat any more - she was either falling asleep or very uncomfortable.

Regardless, if baby is clamping down or squirming, take them off and try to burp/get to sleep/sooth another way! This is a nip killer.

Want a personalized experience?

STM breastfeeding question

Re: STM breastfeeding question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards