1 Be prepared
Gone (thankfully) are the days when preparing nipples for breastfeeding meant roughing them up by rubbing them with a towel. “It has been found that doing so can remove the protective substances produced by the breast during pregnancy and afterwards,” says Esme Nel Hough, professional liaison for La Leche League South Africa, a non-profit organisation providing information and support to breastfeeding women.
Lotions, too, aren’t really necessary, Esme says. “Your nipples are already producing what they need for their protection. Don’t use soap on your breasts, as this can dry them out. When you bathe or shower, rinsing with clear water is fine. If your nipples are very dry, you could apply a lubricant.”
Rub a bit of your colostrum (if you have any) into your nipples before birth and in the first few days of breastfeeding, adds Linda Britz, a nurse, midwife and lactation consultant based in Johannesburg.
“Letting your
