Nipple preparation

[Becci]

I got a mountain of advice for preparing my nipples for breatsfeeding when I was pregnant with ds.

has anyone else heard of these many old wives tales?

Many encouraged me to scrub my nipples with either a toothbrush or a flannel while in the shower each day to toughen them up so I wouldn't get cracked nipples.
This didn't make much sense to me. I thought that one of the reasons nipples cracked was because they were constantly wet - dry - wet - dry. So I thought the best way to prevent cracked nipples might be to moisturise them throughout my pregnancy. So I turned to one of the old wives tales I had heard which was to rub wool fat into your nipples morning and night throughout pregnancy.
I didn't get cracked nipples, not sure if it was luck or the wool fat though.
This time I intended to do the same but keep forgetting to buy the wool fat (use to be about $10 a jar at the chemist), so I grabbed the Avon Moisture Therapy hand lotion that I had. It's for extremely dry skin and I use it on my cracked heels all the time so though it might work.

So what are others doing to help prepare their nipples for breastfeeding (if anything)?

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I didn't do anything, and I think most people would advise the BEST thing you can do is to ensure correct attachment rather than 'preparing'.

Lactation Consultants work wonders
Maybe you could join the Australian Breastfeeding Association or try one of their breastfeeding classes. They can be an invaluable support network when BFing and also have an LC directory.

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

The best preparation for breastfeeding doesn't involve your nipples at all - it involves your brain (and your partner's as well) An Australian Breastfeeding Assoc class is a fabulous idea. Most of us don't see breastfeeding much these days, and our knowledge of how it can work can be sketchy. It makes such a huge difference to know the basic principles and to have a great support network in place - so you know who to call when you hit the inevitable "speedbumps" As you have identified, old wives tales abound in this area. If you do have that dry skin, prone to cracking, some lanolin or similar might be useful in your case, but in most it would be not really necessary.

Warm Regards
Barb

[Mum0809]

Moisturise them if you want but I wouldn't scrub them.

[Snacks]

I think you can get Lansinoh for cheaper than that - in a tube. I still have heaps of it (I use it for my wool nappy covers now ). You don't need to use much (if you use it at all). And I agree with Barb, having a good support network in place is the best possible preparation you can do.
All the best to you!

[Becci]

Support is great and I do have agreat support network.
I'm luck in the fact that our local hospital has won awards recently for being a breatfeeding friendly hosiptal, and for encouraging bf.
I didn't really have much trouble bf my son once he learnt how to latch on, I was just reminded the other day of these old wives tales and was wondering fo anyone else had heard them at what they were doing, if anything.
Thanks for all your advice.