Hi, Iv only just had my son 10 weeks ago and i was rubbing lanolin cream into my nipples and massage them in the shower for like 3 weeks before i had him,and every day since when i had him i was taking  2 panadine when i had pain from the after pains and for breast engorgment, its taken about 7 weeks for me to stop curling my toes and actually start to enjoy breastfeeding but im glad im there and good luck with it too because its not easy xox

I have heard various ways to 'toughen' nipples ready for breastfeeding but I can't comment on whether they are any good or not as I never tried them. They may even be harmful, so check with your midwife at your next appointment. 'Tough' nipples would actually hurt more as they would be dry and stressed.

You can definitely start using woolfat such as Lansinoh or ordinary lanolin as it will actually make your nipples more pliable, which will make them less likely to crack, split or dry out. Use it several times daily in the weeks leading up to delivery. It's also very useful on dry lips and any little cuts or scrapes.

Babies feed so often that your nipples will hurt but they are doing such a valuable job that it's worth putting up with for a few weeks.

Start by using  lanolin lotion now, and keep applying it daily all over the areola area. You can even do this 2x daily before the birth.I was given this advice and it really helped me out a lot.

Just be sure that on the tube that it says something about "for breastfeeding mothers" so that it will be safe for both you and baby. The brand that I used is called "Lansinoh". Hope this helps!

This is one of the things that is not talked about. When my first one was due my mum told me about her experience of trying to feed. She warned me shart rubbing nipples roughly for a few minutes than leave them and do it regularly. Dont know if it worked.  I was lucky enough to not get cracked nipples however had a over supply (very painfull and coming of the supply was very bad.) Only releif was a frozen baby slinglet shaped like a breast.  Another thing I was told Make sure baby is on properly when baby finished put a bit of milk on nipple and it stopps the sores first.  Still wet and if have time and  quiet space sit in warm sun (not to long) dry them out.  Hope this helps bye the way good luck. 

I read something after having breastfed my first son (which sounds like an equal amount of pain to what you experienced!) that I wish someone had told me before I started breastfeeding. You know about the second or third night after birth when baby seems to cry a lot? If you stay awake and don't let the nurses take your baby and feed each time your baby cries, you will bring your milk in quicker and increase your supply.

As for pain, they're right when they say it's because of poor attachment (though I don't like the word poor because it infers failure....which it's not! It's also partly due to how strongly the baby sucks...skin came off my nipple the first time!) I had help from many people from many different organisations who all said it looked like I was attaching the baby properly, but it still hurt like crazy! I found that when I propped a proper breastfeeding pillow under my arms it felt much better than when I used normal cushions or pillows, and then I realised that it was hard for me to support my baby properly. My wrists hurt, so I wasn't holding baby properly. That's why the pillow helped! It also helped to point my nipple towards the floor just before the baby latched on so that my nipple was at the roof of the baby's mouth.  I did express for outings (and expressing in the very beginning also really helps with milk supply...it didn't muck up the baby's routine either) and I breastfed at home.

Try to think positively, I'm sure that helps in the process too, and good luck. Hope I have been of some help, and not too confusing! It's late and I'm tired but I've tried my best!

My sister in law and I used to call those early breastfeeds 'foot-thumpers' (we always seemed to get pregnant at the same time), because we used to spend the first 30 seconds thumping our feet and grimacing!  However, if the baby is attached properly, that sensation disappears quickly.  If it hasn't, the baby is not attached properly.  Don't be afraid to slip your little finger in the corner of her mouth to break the suction and try again.  Tease her mouth with your nipple till she is gaping wide and then shove as much of your boob as you can in !

Most of all, RELAX.  Believe in yourself and your ability to breastfeed.  Anxiety about the process will only hinder it. Again...RELAXXXXXX.  LOL.

I experienced the same type of reaction with my son. He was my first pregnancy and I bled alot, and my supply was low. My nipples were cracked and bleeding and I persevered for 6 weeks before surrendering.

With my daughter, I did not have any trouble whatsoever. The only thing I did different was I was a bit more relaxed about the whole process, knowing that either way, my child would get fed. I drunk alot of water coming up to the birth of my daughter which I believe may have helped with supply. I stayed away from coffee and my beloved chocolate and started rubbing my nipples with cream leading up to the birth. I hope this helps somewhat

breastfeeding happens differently for each mum and with each baby. A good way to work out how to make it succeed is to look at the things that hindered BF last time. Most of the time it starts from birth-little things can make bigger problems down the track. So here's some ideas to help you.

-Get BF happening ASAP after birth. This doesn't mean someone has to shove bub on your breast. As soon as bub is born (or once your stitched up if it's a CS) get bub naked on your naked chest-about head level with your boobs. Let bub do it's own thing. Google Breast Crawl or Baby Led Attachment for videos on what happens when bub is allowed to attach by themselves

- Sore nipples are most often caused by poor attachment. Allowing bub to attach by themselves like above helps reduce this. But if after bub attaches there is pain, slip your little finger in the corner of their mouth to break suction and get baby off that breast. It is better to attempt to attach 20-30 times then to allow bub to feed just that once incorrectly

-After a feed express a little milk onto your nipple and allow to air dry before popping the breastpad and bra back on

-ensure breast pads are changed regularly and never left too wet.

-Get a lactation consultant (at your next antenatal appointment as the midwife if you can see one once you've given birth but are still in hossie) to check attachment and give you some help if it's not all going right. Sometimes even wtih correct attachment on mums part bub can still hurt. An LC can assess problems such as tongue ties.

-Have bub with you ALL the time. BF works on supply and demand so the more you feed the more milk you'll make. Newborns feed roughly 2-3hrly day and 3-4hrly at night. Around 8-12times in 24hrs but in those early days it can be more.

-Once your milk comes in attachment can be harder. So had express just a little before you feed so the areola area softens enough for that nipple to get all the way into bubs mouth.

Do you have a breastfeeding support sevice near you? In Australia there's the Australian Breastfeeding Assoc. IN other countries it might be La Leche League. Get a number for a BF specialist support group that you can call for help all the time. In Australian we now have a free call number that mums can call 24hrs a day. Try and find something similar near you so that at any time if there's a concern you can talk it over with someone.

Good Luck. try to take it one feed at a time.

I would ask a doctor what is best! Also, try remedies advised to you on this site!

Hi there,

I was SOOO lucky with my daughter! I was still coming around from  the general anaesthetic I had when the midwife marched in and yelled, "well if she's going to breastfeed this baby, it's got to happen now!" Then just popped bub into bed with me and she closed her mouth, that was open and screaming on my breast and just didn't stop! I was still so groggy, I had no idea if we had a girl or a boy, or what on earth I was supposed to be doing, but maybe it was that she was so starving and if I was anymore relaxed I would have been unconcious that we got it right!  Mind you, she WAS hard to wean as she just LOVED breastfeeding- wouldn't take a bottle until she was over 12 months old!!! However, the first couple of days were difficult until my milk came in properly as she sucked and sucked and sucked until I felt raw! I used Lansinoh cream and cold cabbage leaves to ease the pain. After that I had no real problems until she bit me and drew blood and then when I started to wean her I had mastitis. I have friends that tried and tried and tried to breastfeed and were made to feel bad that it wasn't working. There is no reason that this should be the case. If  after you have given it your best, your nipples are cracked and bleeding and bub is hungry and you are both miserable, there is no reason why formula shouldn't be considered. Yes, breast is best, but not when it comes at the expense of the mothers and babies health and wellbeing. Best of luck and remember that each bub is different. Also, if you are struggling in the first couple of days, see if you can get a lactation consultant to come and help- some midwives are also excellent in assisting. Great advice about breaking the seal and reattatching too- it shouldn't be painful when bub is feeding. Good luck! I am sure the next few weeks will fly! How exciting!

Hi Nat!  So close already!

I've linked a couple of articles for you, but there is also a very useful page on the Australian Breastfeeding Association website here.

I found with my first that once I got his attachment right the nipple pain and bleeding improved vastly - it had been agonising to that point.  So, make sure you get someone to check during a feed and don't be afraid to pull baby off (gently, by breaking the seal first) if it is hurting.  I did have special breast pads and nipple shields until that point, so maybe look into these too.  Feel free to email me for more info!

Good luck for your last few weeks and baby's first few weeks!

Hi there,

I have breastfed 6 bubs myself, and to be honest, all 6 were different, it certainly helped if the baby was good at latching on in the beginning when it comes to saving ones nipples! my first bub was a really good feeder and i got more pain with engorgement than feeding itself, but with my second, well skin was coming off and the stinging just to get her on each feed was brutal.. I would go with the breast milk on the nipples after each feed idea, i did find that helped to ease the pain with my terrible second feeder, lanolin did help too, cold face washers help. If bub doesnt latch on right away, of you can feel that pinching that comes when they dont have the full nipple, best to break the seal they have on your breast with a lil finger on the bottom lip, then unlatch, then try get them on again more secure and feeding well and not pinching the end of the nipple causing blisters.. getting into a habit of that actually made things alot more adaptable the last four times and i found i didnt have as many troubles.. Good luck with bubs, congratulations in advance and happy feeding!

Cheers from Mel xx

Get some LANSINOH..  It won't help your supply at all, but it will relieve the cracking, redness, soreness a little..

And good luck.

Good grief Natelz, I had to check this out because I thought BF might be something naughty LOL... I didn't even think about it; it just kind of happened.  I have read that you can pinch them a little each day to toughen them ; though I wouldn't.  If you have problems this time just remember squeeze milk out and let it dry on your nipples - fixes them up in no time flat.  Just make sure you aren't expecting any visitors when you are letting them air dry for 10-15mins LOL!

Hi Hunni,

Wow not long to go now! I had alot of trouble breastfeeding both times but with Josh (my first) i managed 10.5 months. Poor Amy only got about 5 months.

Have you tried nipple shields? I only used them once the nipples were already cracked but i only used them till they healed and then didn't have a problem till Josh started biting but thats another story. I know when i expressed with Amy my supply didn't last as long but there was other contributing factors as to why she didn't get fed for long.

Not sure what you can try before bubs comes but remember once bubs is here, drink lots of water and have a well balanced diet and that will help with your supply.

Good Luck with it all.

Love Juzzy xoxoxoxo