preparing to breastfeed

[waitn838]

hey ladies...need some advice again...i am planning to breastfeed this baby and my nipples are extremely dry and flakey...they are sore to touch and i have been trying lotion but its not working...what can i do to get my nipples to not be so dry?

if you ever had this and found something that works let me know....i have never experienced this before

[waitn838]

thanks for the clarification....i have never experienced this before so i wanted some opinions...i think ill treat it for now and then stop the cream a month or 2 before the baby comes

[k10road]

You still have a while to go in your pregnancy as you are not even halfway yet, right?  If that's the case, you can treat your nipples now if you want.  I have the same problem.  Actually for me, that's one of the very first signs I am pregnant.  The center of my nipple gets all white and peely (made that word up).  What the above posters are trying to say, I think, is that right before you put baby to the breast, you don't want your nipples to be too soft because it won't be as easy for baby to latch on.  Then when baby nurses while not properly latched, you are going to have MUCH worse pain.  But, for now, and for the next 20 weeks, you can most definitely treat your nipples with nipple cream.  Some women get it much worse than others, and if they don't know exactly what you're talking about, they may misunderstand.  It just has to do with hormones - so don't worry.  

[waitn838]

should i not worry about them being so dry? they only hurt when in the shower or accidently bumped....they are just so nasty to look at :(

should i wait to treat them until i actually start breastfeeding?

[feather2e]

I agree with 30something13, you do not want to start making them soft as it will hurt alot when you start to breastfeed. The lanisoh is the best thing to use while you are breastfeeding but only use it now if they are hurting not just because they are dry.

[30something13]

I just expressed a drop of milk and rubbed it on my nipples but the dryness will not hurt the BF. Actually you do not want to soften them before BF for if the baby does nto latch right it can be real painful.

[becca_3456]

usually just a day or two to get better. I would use a small amount after every bath or shower.

[waitn838]

how long does it take the nipples to get better? this is very uncomfortable but im going to try the laninoh lotion and see...thanks for the advice

[k10road]

I agree.  I used Lansinoh lanolin as well.  There are other creams available though if you don't like that one.  Just do a google search for nipple creams.  You will find several.  Good luck to you, and YAY for you for breastfeeding - best way to go if you can!

[becca_3456]

Lansinoh lanolin is the best thing for dry cracked nipples!!!!! You can start using it now and keep using it after the baby comes. It is awesome!! I breastfed my DD for 18 months and that is the only thing I used and I never got sore or cracked nipples while breastfeeding her! Let me know if you try it and if it helps.