pre-breastfeeding question

[Jen]

Hi,
I am planning on breastfeeding when our daughter is born in August. But right now my nipples are very sore and dry, and I've been looking for a vegan nipple cream and having NO luck!
Does anyone have any recommendations for me?
TIA!

[Erin Pavlina]

Mine are sore and dry too. I didn't even think to try a cream. ;)

I would check out Kiss My Face and see if they have anything. www.kissmyface.com.

Also, I read in a book that you should not put soap on your breasts or genitals while pregnant since it would dry them too much and you need them to be as moist as possible. Something to consider.

If Kiss My Face doesn't have anything, send emails to all the online vegan stores and see if they can help you. And then be sure to come back and let me know what you found!

[veganmama]

Was it Katrina or someone else who said extra virgen olive oil? I have been having the dryness you describe too. I wish there was a non lanolin source of nipple cream. VM:o

[tina]

Just wanted to let you know that once your baby is born and your milk comes in, breastmilk can be very helpful for this. Just express and apply a small amount after nursing and let it dry.

[Jen]

Thanks everyone!
I am on a search, and if I find anything, I will certainly let you know. :)

Take care!

[frenchie]

Well, I have a non-vegan suggestion. I used the nipple butter from EarthMamaAngelBaby.com. I was absolutely desperate, and needed something with healing qualities. It does contain Bees Wax, it being the last ingredient on the list. Olive Oil is the first ingredient, along with calendula oil. I bet if you were to mix olive oil with some essential oils that promote healing and calming, it would work just as well. I only had to use the nipple butter for a couple of weeks until the scabs healed, now I don't use anything.

[Erin Pavlina]

"Scabs" and "nipples" don't belong in the same sentence. *shudder*

[molly]

Yikes! I second that, Erin! :eek: Things I am NOT looking forward to....

[Christa]

You may want to check out Motherlove Herbal. They are located right around the corner from me in LaPorte, CO. I don't know for sure if they have a nipple cream, but I did use some of their "Pregnant Belly Salve" with my first pregnancy &, as I recollect, it is primarily olive oil with herbs. It was pretty good stuff. Maybe they have nipple creams, too. I'll let you know if I find any.

I had terrible cracking & my nipples bled with my older daughter. It was months before I could nurse her without crying, but very worth it once we got going. Anyway, I think that I used cold wet tea bags on my nipples, too. I can't remember how well that worked, though.

Have you tried talking to anyone from La Leche League? They are very good with bf questions, but I don't know if they would have any vegan suggestions.

[Christa]

Nix the Motherlove idea - I checked their web site & apparently their nipple cream contains both lanolin & beeswax. Anyway, a brief search of the internet came up with something called "Earth Mother Soothing Nipple Cream" by Eco Babes with was represented as vegan. However, I could not access the page, but maybe you can find it.

[Vera]

I've also been using sweet almond oil as a moistuizer and it is terrific :)

[sophie]

I had dry, irritated nipples in pregnancy also and used my lip balm on them, which worked really well. Once I'd had my baby they weren't dry anymore but I did get very sore and cracked nipples for a week and a half just like I did with my other two babies, they were all very strong sucklers! But now 5 weeks on I have no probs at all.

[veganerd]

well ive never nursed since im a boy but i can give a few suggestions...based on what my daughters mother did

olive oil or coco butter or coconut oil all work well. also when my daughter was nursing 5 years ago there was a company called gias children that made a good nipple cream and a diaper rash cream that worked really well but im not sure if theyre still around. there also was a product called vegelatum that was like really thick vaseline and made from vegetable oils that worked really good. you could also just try lotion just make sure it wont leave a bad taste on your nipples that the baby wont like. and its a good idea start using something before your nipples get dry.

[HoneyNBen]

Ok..if your nipples are dry stay away from soap and lotions. These will dry them out. Have you ever noticed the little 'bumps' on the ariolea ( spelling...forgive me..it's 11:30) and around the nipple? These have a technical name called by some guys' name or something...anyways, these will actually clean your breasts for you. I know sounds weird, but when in the shower...just allow warm water to bathe them...also, stay away from hot water..it's very drying. Also if you're leaking colustrum rub it on your sore nipples. It's very healing. Your bra is also ( I can guarantee this!) too tight and is irritating your getting bigger and more sensitive breasts. Go to a nice store that can fit you for a bra. Call a head and be sure to get someone who knows how to do it.

Here's how...tape around the chest, under arms/in armpit, above breasts...=??? (this is your 32/34/36...always go up if you're a 33/35/37....)now around the chest, across the nipples. One inch difference=a, 2=b, 3=c...so on...get a stretchy fabric and an underwire if you can. It'll provide support. Olga makes great bras for pregnant women and they come in pretty colors and front clasps that can be used later for nursing! How do i know all of this? I worked in McAlpins lingerie department in high school. Spent almost all my paycheck there too! :) But I've still got lingerie! ...but sadly...no pretty bra's...sigh...

Also, once the baby's born ALWAYS express a bit of milk to rub on your nipps. It'll help keep them in tip top shape. Olive oil, coconut, or almond is good, but if you follow up above you honestly wont need them. Oh and pat your nipps...don't rub them dry! stay away from plastic backed leak pads...use a cut up baby diaper...WONDERFUL! Especially if it's really old! Go topless whenever possible...Partner will approve of this I'm sure! ;) Stay away from lotions! They are not made to be injested and your baby will suck off the residue. Just keep colustrum and milk on 'em and you'll all be very happy! Oh! and be sure to get measured for a new bra...that's really important. The stretchy fabric will let you expand a bit and you'll be happy you did!

[capersmama]

To be honest..I used a vegan lip balm on my nipples when they were like that. It comes in a twist up tube so easy to dab and go!