The simple answer? No, you should not try to toughen up your nipples during pregnancy, in preparation for breastfeeding.
Why Is Nipple Toughening Bad?
Older generations may advise that you should toughen your nipples with a toothbrush, washcloth or something else, but this is not a good idea.
Your breasts are designed to breastfeed and although they may be sensitive at first, they will adapt once you start feeding.
Why is attempting to toughen your nipples bad? Because it doesn’t work the same as breastfeeding
Most toughening methods use dry friction, while breastfeeding uses wet suction.
Your breasts are designed for the second method, not the first.
Artificial toughening will more likely damage your nipple and end up hurting you, without improving your breastfeeding experience at all.
How Can You Prepare For Breastfeeding?
There are some simple steps you can take ahead of time to prepare for breastfeeding:
- Attend a breastfeeding class.
- Learn how a basic latch works for baby.
- Be aware that feeding a lot, long feeds, your milk not coming in for 2-10 days and soft breasts are NOT a sign that baby is hungry or needs to supplement.
- Visit KellyMom, one of the leading breastfeeding sites on the Internet.
Susannah is a certified Birth Doula through Childbirth International and the founder of Trimester Talk. With a background in journalism and digital strategy, she combines evidence-based research with real-world knowledge to create accessible content about pregnancy and parenting. She’s a mother of two and stepmother of two more, all of them now teenagers.