According to Le Leche League, not much. Some practitioners
still recommend rubbing the nipples with a towel to "roughen them
up". However, this is not recommended as it has
been shown to remove the protective substances secreted by
Montgomery's Tubercles, the little bumps around the nipple. In
addition, nipple stimulation can cause labor contractions, which may
be beneficial if you are past due, but not beneficial if you are at
risk for pre-term labor.
Years ago women were also told to expose the nipples to sunlight.
This was before the risk of sun exposure was known, plus who wants
burned breasts and nipples, anyway? This is not necessary, and
not beneficial.
However, there are a few things you can do to prepare for
breastfeeding:
1. Check your nipples to see if they are flat are inverted.
Flat or inverted nipples sometimes make it more difficult for a baby
to latch on. If your nipples are perky all the time, then you
are fine. But, if they are flat or seem to sink into the
breast, or if you are not sure, have them checked by your midwife or OB at your
next appointment. If they are
flat or inverted, make an appointment with a lactation consultant
who can help you prepare for breastfeeding. This may
include the use of a nipple shield to draw the nipple out.2. Get instruction on breastfeeding. While
there may
be some tenderness early in breastfeeding, the majority of nipple
pain is from poor latch. Learning how to
correctly latch a baby from the first feed is an important step in minimizing
nipple problems. Seeing a lactation consultant while you are in
the hospital is also on the "must do" list. Sore,
cracked nipples are not part of normal breastfeeding... it is a
sign that your baby needs a better latch.
3. No lotions or soap required. Unless you are using
a lotion prescribed by your doctor for a skin condition, no lotions
are needed. In addition, soap can dry the skin and the
nipples, so skip using soap on the breasts while in the shower.
Even when breastfeeding, the water from the shower will be enough to clean the breasts.
In summary, the two best ways to prepare for breastfeeding are
taking steps to correct flat or inverted nipples before baby arrives
and getting instruction on breastfeeding. Skip the rough
towels, sunning the breasts, and lots of soap. It's not necessary and may
even be harmful.
