Preparing nipples by pumping

[antlife]

I am almost 38 weeks along and my midwife encouraged me to use my good quality breast pump a few moments a day to help draw out my one flat nipple. Any advice on this idea? I do not want to pump out colostrum, so if I stop pumping just before it starts to come will that be ok? Or is the whole idea not smart?

thanks all!
betz

[myk]

i doubt any harm will come from it even if you did pump out some colostrum it would stimulate more production! it might also encourage the start of labour but since you're 38 weeks that's not a problem either

i have one flat nipple and one inverted nipple. any preparations you can do that help make the shape easier, the better.. it was HARD to latch my daughter for the first few weeks because of the weird nipples! but then we got it right and continued for years

good luck!

[antlife]

I have been pumping for the past 3 days (just a few minutes twice a day). I haven't noticed an increase in contractions and I stop just before the colostrum drips into the pump. I am really glad to be preparing my nipples this time around as I can see the inner skin of my flat nipple being projected and exposed to air and suction. Nursing my 1st was a very painful time of cracked nipples and bleeding....so I'm excited to prepare better this time around. Thanks for your thoughts Myk!