There's a whole world of crazy stuff that pregnant women are told to do to prepare their nipples for breastfeeding.

Rubbing their nipples with sandpaper is high on that list.

The idea behind doing this is to toughen up your nipples for breastfeeding.

I get it.

The minds of the (I'm assuming) men that decided this was a necessary thing do to while pregnant probably had good intentions. I mean, realistically your cute little nipples that were once tenderly caressed during passionate lovemaking (yeah, remember pre-kid sex??) will be continually suckled on by a ravenous baby and resemble something like the lid of a felt pen.

Your breasts won't have any idea what's coming to them, but guess what? They'll learn.

Statue of a woman rubbing her nipple while learning how to prepare her nipples for breastfeeding

How do you prepare your nipples for breastfeeding?

The human body is pretty fascinating. There will be some initial discomfort as your body adjusts, but it should be minor. If your nipples are super sore it's not because they're weak, it's because you probably need to get some help with your latch. Contact your Midwife, OBGYN, or pop down to your local Health Unit to see a Lactation Consultant. Breastfeeding isn't always super enjoyable, but it shouldn't be painful- at least not until your kiddo has those front four dagger-like teeth that chomp down on your nipple when you're least expecting it and you say words that you didn't even say during childbirth.

(*I haven't breastfed for years, but even thinking about this occurrence makes me shiver.*)

So, how do you get tough titties for breastfeeding? You don't.

What you do is enjoy them while they're yours and not attached to a small child. If enjoying them to you means rubbing them with sandpaper (you kinky vixen, you) then, by all means, do that, but don't do it because Great-Aunt Mildred did it back in her day (you know, before women's rights and extensive medical research).