Did you do anything special to prepare yourself (actually, your breasts) for nursing? One of my friends scrubbed her nipples with a toothbrush for about a month before having her baby to "toughen" them. Another of my friends suggested putting lanolin on them to make them more pliable. Anybody have any other suggestions? I really want to be a nursing success this time :pray

I didn't do anything. I think all that stuff about preparing your nipples is a crock of :poop. Just read up on LLL online. That's what I did. Also remember, the first 6wks are the hardest. ;)

No I didn't do anything.

Pinch them really really really hard, that will come some what close to the feeling you'll get for the first few weeks! :) But really, theres no way to prepare. Just have the mind set that you wont give up!

Scrubbing your nips is NOT a good idea. I know some people swear that you need to, but if you talk to any professional lactation consultant or anyone who knows anything about breastfeeding, they will tell you that is NOT a good idea. It does not help toughen them up or make them any more prepared for nursing. You should just take care of them like normal, avoid any soaps that might dry them out (try not to put soaps directly on your nipples), use lanolin if they feel sore, wear a bra if your t-shirt rubbing bothers them, etc. Do not think you need to scrub your poor nips to prepare them :no Breastfeeding can cause a little bit of soreness at first because you're not used to it, but it really should never HURT if you're getting a good latch and the baby is eating properly. If you are having latch problems, using lanolin and nipple shields will help a lot. Definitely don't torture your nippies. Take extra care of them!

I would talk with a lactation consultant. Dont be discouraged. It takes a lot of patience. Good luck!

I didn't do anything before I nursed. The first few weeks is the hardest but after that it's easy

I didn't do anything. In the begining it hurt like hell to nurse but thats how my baby was going eat so if I gave up he would have starved. The pain was worse with my first one then with the second. Sometimes I had to stop and look to make sure my nipple wasn't sucked clean off. I know they say there should be no pain if its done right but I think that just depends on the person. if you really really wnat it to work it will be just fine. Cory nursed for about 9-10 months and Lily nursed for about a year. I really wanted Lily to nurse longer because I heard woman who nursed for 2 years or longer had a lower risk of breast cancer.

It is not true that it will not hurt. My latch was perfect and Gwen hurt me. I used to call her Pirahana (sp?)- she hurt me because she just had a very strong jaw, but I still BF her until she was 13months. Once she would get started (about 5mins into nursing), it didn't hurt because she would relax.
Aiden , it only hurt w/in that 1st six weeks because I was not used to it. After that it no longer hurt.

I was always in pain too and Val was latched on right...I didnt do anything special to prepare. Just told myself i wasnt going to give up no matter what!! I got mastitis TWICE but still didnt quit. Val is 14 months now and i'm still nursing. Good Luck and STICK TO IT!!!!

the only pain I ever felt was when mine weren't latched on correctly. They were power suckers and sometimes I felt SORE, but it wasn't ever teeth clenching painful, where I felt the need to stop because of it. I guess every person is different :dunno

But I do know for a FACT that you do not need to scrub your nipples or anything like that to "toughen" them. If anything, you should be taking extra care of them.

When I took my breastfeeding class I was told you aren't supposed to do anything to toughen them. They said that because nipple stimulation can throw someone into labor, you can ruin the skin surronding the nipple etc it wasnt a good idea. There is no benefit and it is all old wives tales :shrug

It does hurt at first. 1 nurse I had in the hospital was an idiot and swore Ethan was latched. I knew he wasnt and I ended up with a bloody nipple. It hurt. But the best healing was rubbing a little milk around the nipple and I used Lanosh which was soothing as well. I got a free sample from the LC at the hospital. You can totally tell when they aren't latched on correctly. And I agree. The first 6 weeks are the hardest. But after that it does get easier. Just remember that you and your baby are learning. And it will come easier.

I didnt do anything, both of my kids latched on perfectly and I had NO pain.

I never did anything. Only with my oldest I got the sore chapped nipples and she was latched correctly. My nipples were also "innies" so I think that had something to do with it. After about 4-6 weeks I was fine. With my 2nd it hurt a little at first but it was just getting used to it again and the same with my 3rd. Do not do anything to your nipples. My cousin did with her first and she said all she did was hurt herself from it. You will do great.

Thanks, everybody :) . I haven't done anything except use some lanolin on my nips because they have been hurting and dry and itchy already and I was constantly scratching! It is great to know that I have so much support! It is really hard to stick with something if you don't really have the support.

i did nothing to mine. i had flat nipples so i had to use a breast pump and then a breash shell. i was pretty lucking that i did not have chapping or even problems with trent biting................until now! at almost 11 months he is now starting to bite down. he is getting old enough that i just remove him from the breast and tell him not to bite and he understands.

I have boob isues they bother me alot and hurt....
I didn't BF don't know if I will next go round ither.
But, BEST OF LUCK!! :hugs I would talk to a lacation consultant they are very helpful.

I didn't do anything brfore, but after I started the doc gave me some meds for them. I forgot what it was, but it was clear. it worked great!