I am 15 weeks pregnant and planning on breastfeeding my baby. The problem is my nipples are very sensitive and im worried about cracking and bleeding nipples. Is there any way I can start to toughen up the skin before the baby comes so that it's not such a hard adjustment? I have an Advent Isis breast pump if that helps?!
2007-01-25 12:59:15 · 5 answers · asked by do you know me? 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I had cracked bleeding nipples for weeks!
I seriously tried everything that I was told: the lotions, the creams, different latches, everything!
I was in so much pain that I was popping 5-6 advils before each feeding (which I dreaded with a passion!)
The ONLY thing that finally worked was putting salt water on them after each feeding! I don't know why, but it was a life saver. It's funny how some of the best treatments can't be bought at a store or invented!
But you may not have to ever worry about that, I had a friend with really sensitive nipples and they never bled. I think with my baby, she had a really small mouth, and I had a heavy flow.
2007-01-27 15:23:50 · answer #1 · answered by ☼Pleasant☼ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is absulutly nothing you can do to "toughen your nipples" Either your going to have a hard time or your not, but if you do start cracking or bleeding use a electric pump every 2 hour around the clock for 24 - 48 hours giving the baby your breastmilk in a bottle, just so you have a little time to heal and work up a good milk suply so the baby doesn't have to work so hard for it, thats what i did and it worked for me just don't give them a bottle for too long cause young babies can get a nipple prefrence (pick bottle and deni you) so I definatly don't think you should keep your baby on the bottle any more than 48 hours, when you go back to breast it will still hurt but not nearly as much and every day the pain is less and less, but you may not have any problems at all so don't assume the worst.
2007-01-26 01:55:07 · answer #2 · answered by medleyc1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT pump as that can cause contractions and it won't do anything to "toughen up" your nipples. Actually, it's best to just do NOTHING to your nipples right now. Buy some Lansinoh and you can start using it in your final weeks of pregnancy and use it post-partum. You don't have to wash it off to nurse. And be sure you see a Lactation Consultant and/or a LLL Leader to get baby's latch checked. Most problems come from a poor latch or poor positioning.
2007-01-26 00:19:11 · answer #3 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i don't think there is anything you can do to toughen them. i know i had very sensitive nipples before i had my daughter, and things worked out fine.
they make creams for sore, cracked nipples. they even give you some while in the hospital. i think you will be fine. you can hardly feel the baby. it's like having your boyfriend/husband suckling gently on your nipples.
good luck and don't worry about it too much. everything will work out.
2007-01-26 10:47:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They sell nipple shells or shields, They're hard plastic shields I'm not sure how they work just that they work. Lansinoh also sells pure lanolin as a salve, also works wonderful.
2007-01-25 23:25:41 · answer #5 · answered by gourmetkid 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋