Care and feeding of nipples

I'm currently 24ish weeks pregnant, and for the last month
or so I've noticed *things* appearing in my nipples. They're
yellow and hard and about the diameter of the wire used for
paperclips. I can pick them out, and it doesn't hurt, but
they come back. They seem to accumulate in the cracks and
irregularities of the nipple itself, making the top flat
and even.

Should I continue to pick them out, or are they actually
desireable? I probably get 5-10 of them per nipple per week.

I'm also having problems with very dry skin on my areolas
and the very front of my breasts. This seems to be exacerbated
by bras that don't fit quite right (either too lose or too snug).
I'm already not using soap - should I use a moisturizer on them,
or just ignore it?

Finally, I need some bras that fit. I've got no idea what size I
actually am. My FF cups stopped fitting a long time ago, and I
bought an off-brand maternity bra that used original cup sizes
not current cup sizes. That bra is starting to get snug, and I
assume that it won't fit all the way through my pregnancy. Next
week I'll be near a good bra shop. Is it possible to guess how
much they'll grow in the next 20 weeks or so? I'm not terribly
inclined to spend $$$ on a bra that will only fit for a month.

Some days I wish I was less well endowed. *Sigh*

Elaine

Elaine wrote:

I'm currently 24ish weeks pregnant, and for the last month
or so I've noticed *things* appearing in my nipples. They're
yellow and hard and about the diameter of the wire used for
paperclips. I can pick them out, and it doesn't hurt, but
they come back. They seem to accumulate in the cracks and
irregularities of the nipple itself, making the top flat
and even.

Should I continue to pick them out, or are they actually
desireable? I probably get 5-10 of them per nipple per week.

Sounds like colostrum that's just drying/collecting in the grooves and
holes.
I used little wee facial cleaning (plain cotton) pads while I was
pregnant to keep it off my bra. :-))

i personally wouldn't worry about it and you could just leave them if
you want. Don't think removing them will be a problem, either.

Dawn

"Elaine" wrote in message
...
I'm currently 24ish weeks pregnant, and for the last month
or so I've noticed *things* appearing in my nipples. They're
yellow and hard and about the diameter of the wire used for
paperclips. I can pick them out, and it doesn't hurt, but
they come back. They seem to accumulate in the cracks and
irregularities of the nipple itself, making the top flat
and even.

Should I continue to pick them out, or are they actually
desireable? I probably get 5-10 of them per nipple per week.

I'm reasonably certain it's just dried colostrum. Perfectly normal, nothing
to worry about, and requires no intervention.

Congratulations! You're breasts are working!
--
Be well, Barbara
(Julian [6], Aurora [4], and Vernon's [a quarter to 2] mom)

This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
"Custom fabracation" -- Auto body shop sign

Daddy: You're up with the chickens this morning.
Aurora: No, I'm up with my dolls!

All opinions expressed in this post are well-reasoned and insightful.
Needless to say, they are not those of my Internet Service Provider, its
other subscribers or lackeys. Anyone who says otherwise is itchin' for a
fight. -- with apologies to Michael Feldman

Elaine wrote:
|| I'm currently 24ish weeks pregnant, and for the last month
|| or so I've noticed *things* appearing in my nipples. They're
|| yellow and hard and about the diameter of the wire used for
|| paperclips. I can pick them out, and it doesn't hurt, but
|| they come back. They seem to accumulate in the cracks and
|| irregularities of the nipple itself, making the top flat
|| and even.
||

Sounds like little plugs in the ducts. I've had them forever, no harm in
them.

|| Should I continue to pick them out, or are they actually
|| desireable? I probably get 5-10 of them per nipple per week.

Good question, sometimes I do sometimes I leave them alone. It doesn't seem
to matter in my case.


||
|| I'm also having problems with very dry skin on my areolas
|| and the very front of my breasts. This seems to be exacerbated
|| by bras that don't fit quite right (either too lose or too snug).
|| I'm already not using soap - should I use a moisturizer on them,
|| or just ignore it?

While I wouldn't say to moisturize your nipples/areolas putting it on your
breasts should be fine. Perhaps it's a combo of stretching/growing and your
laundry detergent?

||
|| Finally, I need some bras that fit. I've got no idea what size I
|| actually am. My FF cups stopped fitting a long time ago, and I
|| bought an off-brand maternity bra that used original cup sizes
|| not current cup sizes. That bra is starting to get snug, and I
|| assume that it won't fit all the way through my pregnancy. Next
|| week I'll be near a good bra shop. Is it possible to guess how
|| much they'll grow in the next 20 weeks or so? I'm not terribly
|| inclined to spend $$$ on a bra that will only fit for a month.

I say IME that no you really cannot tell how much they are going to grow.
With #1 they went up 4 sizes, with #2 maybe two. With that said it is
important that you do have a bra that will hold you comfortably and
properly. At the bra shop they should have no problem fitting you into one
with the knowledge that you do have several more months to grow (another cup
or so?).


||
|| Some days I wish I was less well endowed. *Sigh*

LOL Sounds just like me until I deflated to a smallish C from a EE, ick.

||
|| Elaine

--?

Jenn *who is acutally happy with full bbs again!*
-WAHM
-DS Feb'92
-DD Feb'97
-Jellybean due June 25/04

In article 85HDb.730518$9l5.119070@pd7tw2no, Fer wrote:
While I wouldn't say to moisturize your nipples/areolas putting it on your
breasts should be fine. Perhaps it's a combo of stretching/growing and your
laundry detergent?

It really seems to be dry air. They get better when it warms up
and the humidity increases, and dry out again when we get a cold
snap. I'll try smearing some coconut oil on the breast itself
for a few days.

I say IME that no you really cannot tell how much they are going to grow.
With #1 they went up 4 sizes, with #2 maybe two. With that said it is
important that you do have a bra that will hold you comfortably and
properly. At the bra shop they should have no problem fitting you into one
with the knowledge that you do have several more months to grow (another cup
or so?).

Well - my current bras have a little room left to grow, and I could
rig something up. My problem is that the only bra shop I'm aware of
which carries my preferred bras is halfway across the country. I
could play mail-order roulette, and will if I have to - but I'd rather
avoid it. I think I'll go in and see what they can do for me, since
they mostly carry maternity/nursing bras. Maybe it's time to find
a local salescritter for such things.

Elaine

In article k3HDb.23944$BQ5.8332@fed1read03, Circe wrote:
I'm reasonably certain it's just dried colostrum. Perfectly normal, nothing
to worry about, and requires no intervention.

I had wondered if it might be colostrum, but I think I expected that to be
a solid crust across the whole nipple, not these little things.

Congratulations! You're breasts are working!
I knew that. At the speed these suckers are growing they
should produce enough milk for half the western hemisphere.
Of course, it may require the other half of the western
hemisphere to hold them up...


Elaine

"Elaine" wrote in message
...
I'm currently 24ish weeks pregnant, and for the last month
or so I've noticed *things* appearing in my nipples. They're
yellow and hard and about the diameter of the wire used for
paperclips. I can pick them out, and it doesn't hurt, but
they come back. They seem to accumulate in the cracks and
irregularities of the nipple itself, making the top flat
and even.

Should I continue to pick them out, or are they actually
desireable? I probably get 5-10 of them per nipple per week.

I don't know what they are, but I got them, too. I don't think you need to
pick them out, although if you're bored, it can be fun :P

I'm also having problems with very dry skin on my areolas
and the very front of my breasts. This seems to be exacerbated
by bras that don't fit quite right (either too lose or too snug).
I'm already not using soap - should I use a moisturizer on them,
or just ignore it?

Could pick up some Lansinoh or another 100% lanolin cream -- it's great for
when you're nursing, too, as you don't have to remove it before nursing.

Finally, I need some bras that fit. I've got no idea what size I
actually am. My FF cups stopped fitting a long time ago, and I
bought an off-brand maternity bra that used original cup sizes
not current cup sizes. That bra is starting to get snug, and I
assume that it won't fit all the way through my pregnancy. Next
week I'll be near a good bra shop. Is it possible to guess how
much they'll grow in the next 20 weeks or so? I'm not terribly
inclined to spend $$$ on a bra that will only fit for a month.

Others will have better bra suggestions, but if you have a source for
cheaper regular (non-maternity) bras, you can convert them into nursing bras
once the time is right with these directions:
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/braconvert.html I'd get a bra with an
elastic band, and cups that stretch -- I get mine from Lane Bryant. They
have a cotton bra that's really comfortable, and I've converted about 10 of
them into nursing bras over the past 4 years. LB will also happily measure
you, as will your good bra shop, and they'll probably have an idea of how
much you'll grow, too. Aim for stretchy fabrics, and it won't be so much an
issue, too.

Jan
--
Mum to Stephen, 22 May 2000
and Sophia, 2 October 2003
My personal page: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/
Baby-related crafts: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/crafts.html

Elaine wrote:
I'm currently 24ish weeks pregnant, and for the last month
or so I've noticed *things* appearing in my nipples.

Sounds like dried-up milk. Don't pick too much, the nipples
have very sensitive skin. Instead, wash with warm water and
they will dissolve.

I'm already not using soap - should I use a moisturizer on them,
or just ignore it?

Good. I have found that calendula cream works very well for
me. It is homeopathic and with a very greasy base.

Finally, I need some bras that fit. I've got no idea what size I
actually am.

Go to the good shop and have them measure you. Don't be
embarrased if your size has increased, but buy a bra that
fits well. Your breasts may grow some more, but usually
most of the size increase occurs in the first trimester
and during engorgement right after birth (which is
temporary, thank goodness).

--
-- I
mommy to DS (17m)
mommy to a tiny angel (Oct 2003)
guardian of DH (33)
TTC #2.5
War doesn't decide who's right, only who's left

Elaine wrote:

I had wondered if it might be colostrum, but I think I expected that to be
a solid crust across the whole nipple, not these little things.

Depends on how much you actually leak. Some women require loads
of patches, I never leaked at all...

Congratulations! You're breasts are working!

I knew that. At the speed these suckers are growing they
should produce enough milk for half the western hemisphere.
Of course, it may require the other half of the western
hemisphere to hold them up...

LOL! Priceless mental image :-D

At least you seem to have the right attitude about this.
Keep it, you'll need it!

--
-- I
mommy to DS (17m)
mommy to a tiny angel (Oct 2003)
guardian of DH (33)
TTC #2.5
War doesn't decide who's right, only who's left

Circe writes:

You're breasts are working!

[...]

This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop

:-)