I have read that basking our boobies in the sun is a good way to prepare them for breastfeeding! (Not so sure where i can discreetly do this - since I live in the heart of suburbia) Lol! Neighbours might get more then they bargained for 

Does anyone else have any tips they can share with those of us who havn't breastfed before - to ease us into the transition?

thanks busymum & kebabkat - to be honest i havn't heard the term - latch  stoked to hear we aren't just left to our own devices to just wing it! Very glad to hear there are dvds to have a nosey at. i know if my mum was going to be around the early stages she could help but don't think I'll see alot of her.

I have read up alot about while I am pregnant but not alot so far about "once baby is here" this is because i havn't had a regular MW so I have been reading my way through my pregnancy & also reading alot of the helpful advice on Ohbaby!

thanks miss - I'll have a look into that nipple cream lanisol

nzpiper, yeah, that's what i thought too - but.. was a really nice sunny day today here in Auckland.. but.. still wasn't game! Lol..

did try to drop some major hints/suggestions to DH about going away for a wee trip further up north or to aussie for a couple of days to bask in the sun before bubs is here but.. no such luck!

thanks baysmum - ouch about the dry towel!! I'm glad you have said that it doesn't work or I'd be giving it a go too!! I'll keep an eye out for this cream you mentioned - Naturopharm nipplemed.. do you know if you can get this is a smallish size? (so I can try a couple different types - to see which one will suit me best)

rubydooby, you mentioned Lansinol, miss mentioned lanisol - are these the same thing? which one is the correct (sp)..? thanks

thanks gandt, i hope this is the case with me.. would be nice not to have any issues with breastfeeding.. but guess I'm not going to know until the time comes..

hey thanks nikki, I must have been posting same time as you!

some ladies already produce colostrum at 25wks - so I've have read & been told..

I havn't noticed anything other than sensitive boobs/nipples over the past couple of weeks.. not sure if this means I am not far away from producing colostrum or if this is just another fun symptom of pregnancy..

Do most people start producing colostrum prior to birth? If so, how long before?

sorry about all my Q's!

thanks ladies - you have been fantastic so helpful!

feel that it's good to be prepared for the unknown around the corner.. great to feel a bit more informed.

Gee your closing in fast on the big day now kebakat!

busymum, hope my birth goes to full term like yours, really want to go full term & not having worries about producing milk..

nikki, I like the idea of being able to use cream that doesn't require washing off before feeding bubs!! excellent..

thanks haleighsmum :)

that's probably a good thing that you can feel when you're about to leak!  Ive heard also this is the same for when you are full of milk & baby is due for a feed.. that you're pretty much in tune with each other.

I have just found out that I'll be having the same midwife who I eventually get to see in a couple of weeks visiting me at home after bubs is born as well! Yay! 

very comforting to hear from others that they make sure you have it sussed before you're on your own!

- hayleighsmum, look at your ticker! baby could come any day now...how very exciting.. good luck with your birth

thanks rach&jack - no doubt you'll be preparing yourself for second round of b/feeding, all the best with your birth too

mazzy, i did find myself having a wee chuckle over the thought of you being caught rolling your nipples in hospital night before your induction.. I can imagine people would have given you a raised eyebrow or two if they weren't aware why you were doing this! he he..  thank you - good to hear someone has tried the sun thing - think I'll give it a go inside too- I'll watch where my kitty is sunning himself - he usually finds the best sunny spots around the house if there is any 

fattartsrock, I suppose I just have to wish for a smooth sailing b/feeding experience! thanks

Don't worry if you don't think you've produced colostrum yet - it'll be there when you need it.  My midwife told me that expressing a drop of colostrum if you're able to, and rubbing that on your nipple and leaving it to 'air dry' before putting your bra on can be good for preparing those nipples.  And I found Purelan (Purelan and Lanisoh are different brands of basically the same product - pure lanolin that's safe for breastfeeding) invaluable once I started breastfeeding, as for me it hurt for those first 4 weeks.  Also, get yourself some disposable breast pads for when you're using a lanolin cream, and save the cloth ones for later if you plan on using cloth.  Another godsend was nipple sheilds - like a tiny latex sombrero hat with holes in the top that sits over your nipple while you feed - great for if baby has done some decent damage and you're in pain trying to feed them.  They're cheap (well, one brand is anyway) so worth having sitting there just in case you decide you need to use them at 3am one day!    I paid $5 and they seemed to work as well as I imagine the $20 ones would. 

And here's a weird one - a friend was advised to brush her nipples with a soft toothbrush  in the shower every day to harden them for breastfeeding!!!  She actually did it, and had no pain feeding her first baby, but didn't for her second and that baby had to break her nipples in for the task.  So I'm trying it next time round, if I can bear to!  Sunlight works a treat once you've started, as it's a natural antiseptic and healer.  I did the lounge sunbathing thing too, with my tiny orange baby next to me! 

thanks andie 

very helpful! I have heard about the dry toothbrush thing too! also sounded a bit painful but.. in saying that - I'm certain it wouldn't be as painful as the pain or sore cracked nipples!!

thanks again!