Move Over Lanolin...There Are Better Options For Nursing Parents in Pain
Before you deliver your baby, it’s likely that other mothers you know will recommend their favorite nipple cream to you. In fact, you may even receive a few during a baby shower! However, not all nipple creams are created equally – some might actually cause more harm than good.
One of the most well-known creams is lanolin nipple cream, which is often handed out at the hospital for new moms to take home. And while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend women use pure lanolin for breastfeeding discomfort [1], it has yet to be approved for use on nipples by The Foods and Drug Administration.
However, in a recent study, which used a private International Board Certified Lactation Consultant’s (IBCLC) patient charts from a two-year span, 124 breastfeeding women were analyzed for use of lanolin nipple cream to treat breast infection. Of the women, 38 individuals experiencing nipple pain did not use lanolin and 27 did use lanolin to treat their pain. Of the women who did not use lanolin, 18% developed signs of nipple or breast infection, while 62% of the women who used lanolin developed signs of infection. Infection can include, bacterial or fungal (yeast). The results of this study suggest that lanolin use on nipples may increase women’s chance of infection [2].
While further research is needed to determine whether lanolin increases women’s chances of breast infection and why, we’d recommend using alternative methods to alleviate nipple pain.
While breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt, it’s common for women to experience sore nipples during the first few weeks of breastfeeding. This can be caused by a poor latch and/or tongue tie. If your nipples are cracked, bleeding, severely hurting, it is optimal to contact a skilled lactation consultant as soon as possible to help identify potential latching or structural issues, such as a tongue tie, that could be causing the pain.
Learn more about tongue ties here.
Better options for treating nipple damage:
The nipple and areola are naturally self-lubricating, composed of Montgomery glands that secrete lubrication, meaning that nipples don’t truly need any creams to heal. In fact, the use of ointments may make it more difficult for your baby to locate your nipple [1].
However, there are several ways that you can naturally treat nipple pain caused by breastfeeding.
1. Hand-express a few drops of breastmilk into your hands, rub it on your nipples, then let it air dry.
2. Soak your breasts in warm water with table salt or sea salt, (epson is for nipple blebs not open wounds) then let it air dry.
3. Use a Silverette, a nursing cup made with sterling silver, which has antibacterial properties.
If you’d prefer to use a nipple cream for your pain, we’d recommend using Earth Mama Nipple Butter, which is an organic brand made with clean ingredients. If you’re experiencing nipple pain, please reach out to me, an experienced IBCLC in the Boise area. I would be honored to support you in identifying what’s causing discomfort and get you on the way to having a beautiful breastfeeding experience moving forward.
[1] Stenchever R., Hale R., Rowe N. (January-February 2007) Breastfeeding: Maternal and Infant
Aspects. ACOG Clinical Review.
https://labestbabies.org/sites/default/files/ACOG_BF_MaternalandInfantAspects.pdf
[2] Sasaki B., Pinkerton K., Leipelt A. (2014) Does Lanolin Use Increase the Risk for Infection in
Breastfeeding Women? United States Lactation Consultant Association.
https://www.birthcentre.co.nz/files/2614/9662/2310/Does_Lanolin_Increase_the_Risk_For_Infecti
on_-.pdf
[3] Sasaki B., Pinkerton K., Leipelt A. (2014) Does Lanolin Use Increase the Risk for Infection in
Breastfeeding Women? United States Lactation Consultant Association.
https://www.birthcentre.co.nz/files/2614/9662/2310/Does_Lanolin_Increase_the_Risk_For_Infecti
on_-.pdf