When Do I Prepare My Breast to Breastfeed?

M.,
Congratulations on your upcoming baby! Your baby will benefit tremendously from your decision to breastfeed (and so will you!) For preparations for breastfeeding, don't worry about your breasts... my biggest piece of advice is to set up your support network now. Contact your local la leche league chapter, read a book or two, and have a few breastfeeding mom friends at the ready to support you, if needed. I recommend doing some research now, IF you happen to have difficulties, you'll be prepared and know what to do. I have more information on my web site www.naturalchoices4baby.com (please be forgiving, the site is a work in progress). I love the products from Earth Mama Angel Baby, they have some natural products specifically for breastfeeding support. Let me know if you are interested, I would love to extend a discount to you for any products that I have featured in my "Coming Soon" section on my site. Let me know if I can be of any help! Good luck!
H.

1 mom found this helpful

You really don't have to do anything to prepare your nipples. Using a rough washcloth will irritate the skin and hurt more while breastfeeding since you won't have skin there. My best advise is find and go to your local La Leche League, it is free and the best place to get real practical advise, help, and support. You can breastfeed with correct information, support, and of course determination. Good luck! It is one of the greatest things I get to do with/for my child.

I like Jenny B's answer too! I breastfed both my kiddos and sill currently am feeding the second I love every second of it. I had a hard time with the first. I was stupid and didn't take any classes. I struggled through it and loved every second of it. My second was 1000 times easier. I never had any pain, except for thrust at four weeks...no fun!

My best advice to prepare yourself? take a class. And congratulations on choosing to breastfeed.

Hi M.,
When I had my first and second children I didn't do anything to prepare the nipples and oh yeah they hurt but the pain was only like a pinching that lasted a few seconds but the nipples did get dry and cracked and bled. I tried the lanolin cream that everyone keeps reccomending but neither I nor the baby liked it very much. Eventually my nipples "toughened" up on their own and I was able to breast feed the babies. But when I got close to delivering my 3rd I had my husband prepare my nipples for me, which he was more than happy to do LOL! He would suck on them for just a few seconds every night just like the baby would, by all means NO pinching or teeth, he shouldn't hurt you at all! And by the time my son was born I was able to nurse and never had a bit of pain or bleeding. With my fourth child I did the same but my nipples did get dry and cracked although no blood but the dryness sorta "clogged" them so the milk couldn't come out very easily so I just squeezed out a drop or two of my own breast milk onto the nipple and rubbed it in and it was like magic, they cleared right up and the baby was able to feed. I am currently pregnant with my 5th baby and yes every other day or so my hubby helps prepare my nipples for me and I will just use my own milk to heal up any sore spots. I hope this helps, I also hope it isn't too embarrasing for you to read :)

C.

Addvice I got from a midwife was to put black tea bags on each breast to prepare them. I guess the tannic acid in the tea helps toughen the nipple area (tannic acid is used to tan leather). I applied the tea bags almost every day during the month before my due date for about 10 minutes and I experienced very little pain once my children were born and I nursed them. But maybe they just latched on real easily and maybe I would have been fine even if I hadn't done the tea bags, but most women describe it hurting, and I didn't feel much pain. So I briefly steeped 2 tea bags of black tea, then after they cooled I put them on each nipple. It stains so I wore a black sports bra and put a folded washcloth over each tea bag and did it when I worked out and made sure I wore a dark shirt. i just bought a super cheap box of black tea from the grocery store.

Preparing your nipples is not actually recommended anymore. Check out www.llli.org for tons of info on breastfeeding. Also look into attending LLL of Golden before your baby is born. The local La Leche League leader is A. Gray (me) ###-###-####

I never did anything to prepare them. The beginning they will be sore but once you get over that part it gets better! I have breast fed two kids sucessfully and am 26 weeks pregnant with baby 3. I would suggest read up on breat feeding techniques because I never did that with my first and regretted it. Good LUCK!

Congratulations on choosing to breastfeed! No matter how hard it is in the beginning (or not, I was lucky and it went smoothly from the start), it is definitely worth it all, and the best that you can do for your baby and yourself!

As for your question...there's nothing that you can or should do to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding. But there's a lot that you can do to prepare yourself mentally for any potential challenges. I highly recommend going to a La Leche League meeting -- wonderful women with lots of experience. Pregnant women are always welcome at the meetings, and you will most likely also be able to see other nursing moms.

Also, reading what you can will help. Kellymom.com and llli.org are great websites with lots of bfing information.

Congrats on soon-to-be babe!

Greetings!
I am not a mother (yet) but have been a teacher and a motherly influence to 100s of children.

I just want to encourage you to do whatever you can to be able to breastfeed your new baby. Your breast milk is one of the most important factors of a new baby's nutrition and also emotional development that you can offer. I recommend trying to develop a mindset that really opens yourself up to the joy and honor it is to breastfeed, and to focus on this, even at times if it becomes less than pleasurable. Your baby deserves it! I would start by massaging your nipples to prepare them, and also, go without a bra!!! Wearing bras can restrict our natural breath, and can create back problems and other undesirable conditions.
Blessings on your journey!
D.

This is the perfect time for you to start attending La Leche League meetings... before you give birth. Bring your 2 1/2 year old with you to the meetings. There are always other young children. If you go to http://www.lllusa.org/ and click on Find a Local Group at the top of the page, you will locate a group near you. You will find new friends and hear the most delightful stories of creative, compassionate solutions.

Hi M.,

As others have said the idea of needing to prepare your nipples is old advice and not necessary. Though I too would definitely recommend Lansinoh breast cream (you can find it at Target too and many grocery stores, it comes in purple packaging), it was a lifesaver for me. It is true that it shouldn't "hurt" if the baby is latched on properly, but from my experience this can sometimes take a bit to figure out and even once you do your nipples may be sore for the first few weeks. My daughter had trouble latching on the first day and so I understand why some women get discouraged. The hospital lactation nurses should be able to help you with a proper latch on and positioning. I would suggest that if the first lactation nurse doesn't prove to be helpful, ask your regular nurse when a new one will be available and get a consultation with them, many moms I've known needed a different approach (my first lactation nurse was really rough and harsh with me resulting in more frustration, but the second one helped me figure it out in a matter of one or two minutes). As others mentioned, read up on positions so you have options. Many lacation nurses suggest using the "football hold" position, I found this very uncomfortable and had trouble with a good latch on but once I tried the "cradle hold" position with the proper support underneath (a nursing pillow is great, I used the boppy) it was much easier.

Good luck!

M.,
I am not sure there is much you can do to prepare as it will always be a learning process for your baby and you. I would suggest that you find The Nursing Mother's companion, hook up with your local la leche league and find out your lactation consultant options so that you have a support network to help you when the baby comes. You might also find lanolin for your nipples once you start nursing. I also had some great gel pads (I got from the hospital) that you put in the frig that helped soothe sore nipples. You might try Becoming Mothers or even Babies R Us for these types of things. I delivered in Boulder and there were lactation consultants available at the hospital and then afterwards. It's a matter of trial and error and having support not only from the outside but your husband and family. The more support you have the more you will keep trying but remember not everyone is sucessful and that is OK too.
Best wishes

L.

I started preparing to nurse when I was 6 months along. I would rub my nipples while dry with a courseish towel. I started out doing it 3 times a day and graduated up to four to six times a day. I also rubbed them with the pad of my hand. I nursed for about a month and my breasts had completely adapted.Don't know if this was due to the rubbing I did or if it took that long for us to learn how it all worked right. My Advise and it may not seem posible nor make sence when I say it is this....
The preparing will help...(at least with your mental state to feel like you are doing everything to get ready) but you are still going to get sores and blister till that baby learns how to latch on properly... Keep a tube of lansinoh (I think is what it is called been a while ya know.)on hand and after EVERY feeding rub it on, also excess milk that is still on your nipple after the baby feeds rub that in also(lactation nurse told me that one). It helps the skin adapt aand heal. When you get that baby in your arms and start the feeding try to get as much of your nipple and areola in that mouth...I didn't understand what that meant at first. Also pump after you have fed....it helps build up your milk supply and will also give you spare to use when and if you decide you want to have a drink some time down the road. Also last but not least give it time and don't give up because of soreness...It took my daughter 2 weeks to learn to latch onto both sides, she had a preference dont you know. Just tell yourself "I'll give it one more week. It will get better after one more week" It seemed to help me get through those first 2 months. Find what position feels good to both of you and work it. I'm big in the chest area so the football hold didn't work for me unless I wanted to smother my baby. The cradle worked best for me with a boppy for support. Also I found my daughter wasn't gaining enough weight to begin with (doctor thought this one. I would pump after every feeding and just before she would go to sleep and was really hungry I would feed her a little then let my hubby take the milk I had pumped mixed with formula and let him give her a bottle then. She wasn't a nipple or breast snob. Gained weight great and slowly i worked till at 2 months she was souly back to just me but it did help that she would bottle feed when I went back to work. Good luck.

Hi M.,

I remember when I breastfed my first child while in the hospital and the pain was horrible. I had a very old experienced OB nurse check on me during one of the feedings and she saw my pain. She watched my son latch on and informed me that he wasn't latching on correctly. She took matters into her own hands and helped my son latch on correctly. The pain was virtually gone.

With my second child, I consulted a lactation specialist to help me with breastfeeding. Everything went VERY smooth and he ended up nursing for almost 2 years.

Most hospitals have lists of lactation specialists that you can consult with before the delivery so you can feel comfortable with her helping you.

That is my 2 cents. I think breast feeding is an amazing way to bond and I loved it. Cudos for wanting to do it.

Catherine

Hi M.;
i would use lanolin ointment on your nipples several times daily for about 3 weeks before your babies birth. Also, between feedings with your newborn, use the lanolin ointment religiously. I never did wipe it off between feedings as it is natural and most of it soaked into my tissue. I did still have cracking, but not too much. Also, the 'latch' your baby has will make a big difference, so definately get a lactation expert to help you with that. Stephanie at becoming mothers is excellent! Good luck

It really isn't as bad as that! As far as I know, rubbing with a rag is a myth. When you start breastfeeding it will only hurt if it isn't being done right! Of course, this happens because it takes practice for mom and baby. I just had my second and it doesn't hurt at all because I knew what to do this time. When in the hospital get a consult from the lactation specialist (free)! Also the other thing I couldn't live without the first time I breastfeed was soothies. The hospital usually has these too. Good luck! Stick with it....after you get the hang of it you will be pain free!

Hi M.,
I have breast fed all four of my babies and the most wonderful cream is called Lansinoh Breast Cream. You can usually find it at Walmart, but you might have to ask the pharmacy where it is located. (or buy it online, just google it) I cannot brag enough on it. I would recommend it during your last month of pregnancy and put it on everyday as you feed your baby. (for at least the first couple of weeks) It is safe for them to suck on.
L.

I haven't read all the responses. I don't feel there's much you can do except be prepared for and accept there's discomfort involved. The best thing to do is have the LLL number on hand or a lactation consultant's number. If you are determined to nurse, you can. It might not be easy, but it is the BEST thing you can do for your baby's health.

My mom gave me the advice of taking a toothbrush to my nipples everyday in the shower about two months before I delivered and brushing them for a few minutes. I did it, and it wasnt fun but I think that it helped me not be as sore. Once you start breast feeding I highly recommend Aquaphor, it is an ointment that you can get at any store next to the diaper creme. I put it on my nipples after I breastfed and it helped them not crack and get sore. Good luck!

Jenny B's response is perfect! If you can't use or don't like lanolin products, try Gerber's stick for nursing. It's a lot like chapstick, it works pretty well and isn't greasy. If baby is latched on properly it shouldn't be any more than just a little discomfort (more like a strange new experience). I am currently bf my second child, if you can make it through any rough spots in the beginning it is very rewarding.

Hi M.,

I am glad you are going to breasfeed your baby. You do not have to do anything to prepare your nipples. After about 28 weeks into your pregnancy you may be able to hand express some colostrum from your breasts. Some moms don't notice any leaking bfeore the baby is born. Your nipples are ready to feed the baby right after birth.

Some good books to check out are Breastfeeding Made Simple by Mohrbacher and Kendall-Tackett, Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League, and the Baby Book by Dr. Sears.

Attending a La Leche Leauge meeting before your baby is born is a good idea also. You can find a meeting close to you by going to their website at www.llli.org This is mother to mother breastfeeding support. It is a great way to watch mothers with babies of different ages breastfeed. It will relive a lot of anxiety to be able to ask questions. Breastfeeding is natural but it is a learned skill like riding a bike which is easier to do if you have seen it done. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

A.

M.,

I haven't read through all the other responses, so sorry if this is duplicate information. There isn't really anything you can or should do to prepare for breastfeeding. It might hurt, or it might not. If you take care of your nipples in between feedings, you should be fine. You can get lanolin at the grocery store. Lansinoh makes it (I believe there are other brands, too, but I like Lansinoh). It's in the baby aisle.

While I was pregnant I went to several classes that were offered at the hospital. They had a great breastfeeding class that really helped me. You should check out the hospitals in your area and see what they offer. You don't have to give birth at the hospital to go to the classes.

Good luck and congratulations on the new little one!

Peace,
C.

There is nothing you need to do to prepare your nipples for Breastfeeding. All of these things that you may have been told like rubbing rough rags and stuff over your nipples are old wives tales passed on for unknown reasons. If you want to breastfeed (and PLEASE do) consult a Le Leche Group in your area. Attend the meetings. They will have all of the answers and more support than you realise you need.

you don't. they are already at work if you are pregnant. Get some lanolin lotion; Lashino is a brand name it's in the baby isle usually, and bring it to the hospital w/ you and use it at first as a preventative measure and then as needed. The better your baby latches on, the easier it will be.

Physically, there isn't anything in particular that you should be doing to prepare your body to breastfeed other than gaining adequate weight during your pregnancy and eating well.

The best preparation for breastfeeding is to inform yourself and decide who you'll go to for help and support once your baby is here. A La Leche League or other peer support group can be great for reinforcing "normal" breastfeeding and infant behavior and most are welcoming of expectant mothers.

The things you mention to prepare your nipples are all old, old information. (I got that advice and my kids are parents now!) We know better now that your body does everything needed for preparation. You may have none of the problems you had with your first baby - different babies behave differently. The best preparation would be to go to a La Leche League meeting or talk to a lactation consultant before you have your baby. It's great you want to try breastfeeding again.
S.

From my experience (I nursed my first son for 14 months, and am currently nursing my 4 1/2 month old), there isn't really a whole lot you can do to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding, because what a baby does to them is like nothing else. The most important thing to keep your discomfort to a minimum, is to make sure you have a proper latch when you're nursing your baby. Many hospitals offer a breast feeding class for pregnant mothers, that help to prepare you. Your hospital should also have a lactation consultant that you can speak with after you have the baby to show you some tricks in getting your baby latched on properly. Also using Lansinoh (a lanolin ointment) on your breasts helps to sooth them and keep them from getting too beat up. It also helps the baby's mouth from getting too dry (the baby will get some pretty good sucking blisters on his lips, and the Lansinoh works like a chap stick). You WILL feel some discomfort/pain no matter what you do. But rest assured that your nipples will be toughened up in about 2 weeks, and then you'll barely feel a thing.

I encourage you to stay motivated to breast feed. It is one of the best things you can do with and for your baby. Like I said before, I nursed my first more than a year, and have a goal of one year with my second. My kids are NEVER sick, and they are in daycare and surrounded by germs and sick kids all the time. You can do it. Just make sure you give yourself a fair chance... at least 6 weeks. I would advise not to supplement with formula, as that will affect your milk supply and sabotage your nursing efforts. It can be difficult to get started, but don't get discouraged.... the human race has survived by the nourishment provided by us mommies for thousands of years! =) Good luck!

B. M.

I've personally never heard of "preparing" your breast for nursing, but I would recommend having the nurses help you with the baby latching on correctly. There should be no pain or problems if your baby is sucking properly and has latched with her mouth open. Its not easy, but with practise you'll get there. I would be reading up on different latching techniques to help when the time came. HTH & good luck :)

My first son only hurt for a few days and just when he first latched on. The second one had difficulties and an experienced nurse (50 years of experience with newborns) recommended nipple guards. Most hospitals have them, but you can pick them up at Walmart or Target with the other nursing supplies. I like them because their was no pain of having built up the callouses. You really don't have to do much to prepare other than remember it's not always easy. It takes about 6 weeks to feel like you might make it at all, and about 3 months before you feel like it might be a long term thing. It's so rewarding if you can stick through the first few months. The mom who said it only hurts if the baby isn't doing it right is somewhat right, but building the callouses does hurt. Try the guards. I'll be useing them again. I think we only used them for 3 or 4 days and it was painless nursing after that, because the guards had built up the callouses. Good luck!

K