Oz - I pick Scarlet up under her arms all the time because she holds her head up really well now, I don't think it bothers/hurts her also Lanolin is fantastic for cracked nipples, it has no smell or taste, is safe for bub and it's not very expensive - My nipples were horrible because she was just sucking and sucking and i had no milk but it cleared them up in about 2 days - Sorry i don't know about the AF situation.