Freaked out about breast feeding

[PeanutButter]

I really want to breast feed my child but I can't possibly imagine doing it! I know this sounds really weird, but I'm really kind of freaked out about my nipples. When I'm intimate with a partner, I don't like my nipples touched. I'll even go as far as to say "you can touch my breast but not my nipple." I can't even touch my own fricken nipples, seriously. I wear a bra 24/7 because I hate the sensation of any material rubbing against them. When I'm in the shower I can't have water run over them.

I don't know why I'm so bizzare, I think it's just because they must be extremely sensitive. But I don't know how for the life of me I'm going to breast feed!

 

[pennysbored]

No advice, I sorta have the opposite problem, but I hope it all works out for you. Maybe try desensitizing them now? Could help. Baby's can pick up on you mood while you are feeding, and if you are really tense and upset, they'll know it, and then you've got bigger problems.
I wouldn't usually say it, but you could just feed them formula if its gonna stress you out that much. Its hard enough with a baby, never mind an added anxiety.

 

[marley2580]

Babies breast feed not nipple feed - they actually take the breast tissue in their mouth and the nipple goes to the back of the mouth. You actually shouldn't feel anything on your nipples (though in reality at first they can get a bit sore)

 

[aidensmommy88]

I really want to breast feed my child but I can't possibly imagine doing it! I know this sounds really weird, but I'm really kind of freaked out about my nipples. When I'm intimate with a partner, I don't like my nipples touched. I'll even go as far as to say "you can touch my breast but not my nipple." I can't even touch my own fricken nipples, seriously. I wear a bra 24/7 because I hate the sensation of any material rubbing against them. When I'm in the shower I can't have water run over them.

I don't know why I'm so bizzare, I think it's just because they must be extremely sensitive. But I don't know how for the life of me I'm going to breast feed!

yeah im not one for my nipple touched either, was due to being bit... lol but you could always pump your milk?

 

[Sarah88]

Agree with marley. You don't feel anything on your nipple

 

[carries]

All you can so is try. If it works for you then great but it is much more important that you and baby are happy and contented. Maybe try nipple shields if you really dont like the sensation.

 

[ryder]

I know how you feel.. I also has very sensitive breasts. I attempted to BF, but I did not enjoy it at all. It was incredibly painful and after reading many posts on here from other people about how long it takes to not hurt, I did not feel it was worth it for us. My baby is completely happy and healthy on formula. We are both happier and she slept through the night early.

Do what you would like and what will make you happy. Someone above posted that babies will pick up on your mood, this is SOOO true! If you cant relax and feed your baby you may find added stress to bfing.

 

[nikky0907]

Actually there is such a thing called a nipple phobia. You're not the only one who feels this way, many women do.

I say you wait until your baby is here and see how it feels, if you still aren't comfortable with it there is nothing to feel guilty about. My baby is also perfectly happy, healthy on formula and we were both stress free in those first few weeks of her life.

 

[PeanutButter]

I just imagine them all cracked and sore, and that freaks me out even more. How exactly do they get that way if the baby doesn't really touch them? Thanks for all your advice guys

 

[Pyrrhic]

My nipples have never become dry, cracked or constantly sore. They were only sore at the beginning when my LO fed, but that is caused by the suction of feeding, not them actually touching it.

 

[ryder]

I just imagine them all cracked and sore, and that freaks me out even more. How exactly do they get that way if the baby doesn't really touch them? Thanks for all your advice guys

They can get like that because essentially your nipple is in a moist area for alot of the time... And unless you have a super long nipple and areola, then yes, the baby DOES touch the nipple.

 

[Kissie]

Yesterday I tried to kinda "massage" them, read somewhere on the internet, that u should prepare ur nipples for breastfeeding...

Gosh it hurt! I don't even want to imagine, how's it gona feel to breastfeed.

Anyway, I'm positive I'm gonna try it, but I remember my mother trying with my lil sis, everything was okay kinda, proper breastfeeding etc, but I remember her crying with pain while feeding her.

I don't wanna go through that : (((((((((((

 

[claralouise]

aww hun give it a go if you dont like it dont do it but i agree i dont feal anything in my nipple

 

[Blob]

I dont think you should worry about it yet, when your baby is born you will know what is right for you. I never imagined anything else but BF but when my LO was born it was really hard and takes dedication, but i knew what i wanted, i HATE people touching me i hate walking or standing close to people even...
But you shouldnt feel guilty either way, just see what happens. Some people try and hate it and then there are the others that didnt want to do it and ended up loving it and not wanting to stop.

 

[Blob]

Yesterday I tried to kinda "massage" them, read somewhere on the internet, that u should prepare ur nipples for breastfeeding...

Gosh it hurt! I don't even want to imagine, how's it gona feel to breastfeed.

Anyway, I'm positive I'm gonna try it, but I remember my mother trying with my lil sis, everything was okay kinda, proper breastfeeding etc, but I remember her crying with pain while feeding her.

I don't wanna go through that : (((((((((((

You dont need to prepare your nipples dont worry, i have really flat nipples and it only hurt a bit in the begining for the first few weeks...you're about to go through child birth it will be nothing!! If you really want to do it you've just got to grit your teeth, when you do it properly you dont feel anything except the let down reflex