Treating dry nipples??

[blessedatlast]

My nipples are really dry and painful. I am terrified that when Button comes they will still be like this and I'll end up with cracked painful nipples. I am really looking forward to breastfeeding and would hate for it to be absolute agony. Is there anything I can put on them to moisturise them and prepare them?

[PumpkinZulu]

Sunlight!!! Get your top off and lie in the sun, the uv rays are the best thing to toughen up the nipples and prepare them/keep them healthy

[Blixie]

i've heard vaseline after a shower is good? Hope they improve

[blessedatlast]

Wouldn't sunlight dry them out more PZ??

I'll give vaseline a go. I do moisturise them using just normal vaseline intensive care because that's what I use all over when I get out of the shower..

Definitely open to more ideas though

[onthefly]

You don't need to toughen up your nipples. You can use some sort of moisteriser on them I guess? You could get yourself some lanolin ointment, which can be handy post natally. Also pawpaw ointment is good.

[PumpkinZulu]

If you're leaking colostrum, rub it into your nipples next time they're leaking. MadB is right though, you don't actually need to toughen them as such. But when mine are feeling tender I pop some coconut oil on or lie in the sun. Doesn't dry them out for me but then mine weren't dry to begin with

[blessedatlast]

MadB - Thanks for the suggestions. I think i might grab some paw paw ointment for now.

PZ- I'm not leaking but can get some out if I squeeze which I have done and rubbed it around. I am a bit paranoid about doing it too much though because I know that nipple stimulation can trigger labour. I know it's extremely unlikely but just being careful.

Thanks again for replies

[misty]

Lansinoh.
Seriously that stuff is a lifesend. Have a look in the baby section at a chemist and get some. You and use it on your nipples before bubs arrives and during breastfeeding - it will stop them from drying out, cracking and ease sore nipples.

[blessedatlast]

Ok I'll get some today.. Thanks

[Taurean]

Definitely Lansinoh. It's a godsend when your BF too and you only need a small amount. I had a medium sized tube and only used half of it over a year of BF!

Defintely don't do any 'prepping' for BF though, it's not necessary and no longer advised. If they're dry, I wouldn't be 'sunning' them either, I'd think that would only make things worse. Airing your nipples is recommended when you have thrush or cracked nipples when BF but that's due to all the excess moisture of feeding and leakages.

I wouldn't advise hand expressing yet either. It's a great tip when you've actually started BF and the milk is free flowing but if you're not leaking then I personally think you'll find it quite painful.

Lansinoh is super easy and safe

[loulabelle]

Pawpaw ointment is awesome. Mine have been really dry this pg too.

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