I am 5 months pregnant this week. Approximately a week ago my nipples have started swelling up, hurting even more than usual (which is constant anyway), and ITCHING! I have been told that my milk ducts are forming. My question is "Is there anything I can do to make them feel any better?" I feel like clawing at them. Any suggestions for relieve would be soooo greatly appreciated!
Hey A.,
I used coco butter. I had that problem. I thought it was because of my age. But my doctor informed me that some peoples nipples are more sensitive than others.
Ice packs in your bra. Avent used to make some for nursing that you can use now and will need later. If your nipples are already dry, you can start using the Lansinoh breast cream to stop the itching. Good luck.
I remember that feeling it doesn't feel like anything will help...but... Make sure your clothes aren't rubbing in such a way that sets the itching off and try gently exfoliating any dead skin in the shower while its soft. Later on nipple stimulation can cause labor to begin but you shouldn't have any problems this early. Use a lotion...it doesn't matter what kind I don't think. Later when the baby's nursing you can use Lasinol (you will probably need only the tiniest tube, its very thick and you don't need it for long) which doesn't hurt the baby for any nipple issues. The itching won't be forever. All the getting ready is crazy, isn't it?
Lanolin, no matter which brand is a miracle worker for this issue. I had similar issues when I was pregnant. I also found a bra that was seamless to wear. It was made of a nice satin material and felt very slick. With no seaming on the cups at all (it looked a lot like a sports bra) I didn't have the seams irritating my skin. Good luck finding something that works for you. Congratulations on the baby. What a wonderful surprise for you.
maybe they are itching due to dryness. You could try some natural lanolin on them, you will probably use it if you breastfeed, it is a miracle worker! You can get the medela brand at Babies r us or this other brand called Lasinoh(I think that is righ!) at walmart. I used both and they worked equally well, but it was just easier to get to walmart. Good luck!!
Lansinoh breast cream!!!! You'll love it before the baby comes and love it even more after! But I would suggest using breast pads with it or rubbing it in well. It can get a little greasy on your bras. But if the material on your bra is thick enough than you shouldn't have to worry at all. What ever you use, just plan on using it religiously from now till after the baby comes. That way the itching and other things don't continue to plague you.
Good luck with your pregnancy! How exciting!
Jen
http://www.mommysjoy.com
One more Lanolin (Lansinoh) fan!!!1 I use it for everything!!! It worked great for your issue...a natural diaper cream, bug bites on me and my wee one, minor cuts, cracked cuticles- you name it- it works! It is safe for you and your soon to be born. CONGRATS!!!!
Shari
I didn't have that problem with my pregnancy. I did have itching on my stomach. My dr. told me not to scratch and use CortAid for the itching. It helped. I hope this helps you.
Good Luck.
Rosie
A good lotion should help ease the itching. A&D ointment or Aveeno lotion is what I would choose. I also had to change bras or go braless as much as possible during that time. If anything touched me, it was soooo painful especially in the cold. You can buy breast shields that keep things off the breast; they are plastic and can be bought around baby breastfeeding items. But, I didn't like them much. They do help some though. Congrats on the baby!
Lanolin worked great for me. I didn't use it until after I started breast feeding but it definitely worked wonders. Soreness I think is just going to be a part of it no matter what. I've heard some people will sleep with their bra on to help but still have some pain. I'm now 6mths pregnant with my second and my soreness comes and goes. Also make sure you are lotioning you belly and everywhere else that gets dry. I have been using the Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night cream and also their Cleaning cream. I switch back and forth but they are both a thick moisturizer and keep things from getting dry. This helps with keeping away the stretch marks. Knock on wood this round I haven't had stretch marks show up yet and hoping they won't. My first they were really bad and dark. My Dr. told me to try not to scratch because it could just irritate the skin more and try to keep a lotion handy. I use the MK stuff at night and don't need much lotion throughout the day.
A., I do not want to scare you but this can be a sign of breast cancer. Please get this checked out ASAP. If you want more information, type "breast itching" into google search or other search engine. You can also look this up at the American Cancer Association site. What amazes me is how many doctors don't seem to be aware that this can be a warning sign of breast cancer. Wishing you and your baby the best. Don't run from this. I am a breast cancer survivor. You attack it! J. K
I'm pregnant too with the same issue. I just got a "sleeping bra" at the maternity store and finally slept very well the past couple of nights. The soreness and itching are almost gone. It's basically just a pretty secure & comfy bra with no underwire or other bits that would irritate you when sleeping. The bra I got is also a nursing bra for the future, so a good value for two needs. Also make sure all your bras fit well. I just got resized and purchased new day bras too. If you wear a too small bra that doesn't fit well, it usually cuts into your skin where milk ducts are trying to make their way along the side, causing more irritation.
Good luck.
Congrats on the pregnancy, you story sounds like mine! As for the nipples, I got a loofah and attacked them in the shower sometimes when it got to be too much. The lotion was good too, but I didn't try that until after I had my baby. As with most pregnancy symptoms, it too shall pass. Good luck!
Are you planning to breastfeed? If so, this is a really good sign! This didn't happen to me with my first three pregnancies and I was unable to breastfeed the first two and the third I had to supplement with formula. Although I nursed her until she was 1, I NEVER had a "let down." When #4 was a successful nursing experience (no bottles!) I had a tinkling itchy feeling just as I was to 'let down.' Now I am pregnant with #5 and have been having this feeling periodically for a couple of months. I'm guessing it's similar to how you are feeling and it's perfectly normal process of beginning lactation.
And even if you don't plan on breastfeeding, at least you know your body is working as it was meant to.
As someone else mentioned, go to Babies R Us or Target and look in the breast Feeding section for Madela products. They should have something that can be warmed or cooled to put in your bra for comfort.
S.
