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Ask A Nurse
Questions and Answers

Q. How can my wife condition her nipples for breast feeding? She is already sore and doesn't want to do it. I want her to.

A. There is no reason to condition her nipples for nursing. Her breasts are on auto pilot to nurse already and she will do fine. You may have noticed little bumps around the nipple area. That is called Montgomery's glands and they are secreting oils to keep the breast tissue supple. So, she wins this one! I also recommend a good class in her pregnancy for breastfeeding. It will help you both trouble shoot while nursing.

Debi Fatherree, RN, has been in nursing for 10 years. All of it has been with a childbirth focus. She has worked postpartum, nursery, NICU and have cross trained some in Labor and Delivery. She started a infant home visit and prenatal educational program in her rural home town and was nominated for Maternal Child nurse of the Year in 1995. She and her husband were transferred with his company 1 1/2 years ago and she started teaching chidlbirth classes and doing breastfeeding classes and consults. She also works as a doula and has her own business, StorkHelp. Debi is mom to three wonderful children - Katie, age 8, Hannah, age 6 and Bobby, age3 (my spit fire.) She and her husband have been married thirteen years, a great accomplishment these days. She currently teaches in the hospital setting and privately through StorkHelp.

Debi will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.