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The Effect of Modified Lanolin on Nipple Pain/Damage During the First Ten Days of Breastfeeding
Fifty women with no prior breastfeeding experience participated in a study to identify the effect of modified lanolin on nipple pain/damage in breastfeeding mothers. Each participant was instructed to apply nothing to the control nipple and modified lanolin to the experimental nipple after each breastfeeding during the first ten days following delivery. Using a nipple tenderness scale of 0 - 4, each of the participants recorded their observations on a score sheet. Two observations per day were recorded, one in the morning and one in the evening. Analysis of the data revealed less pain/damage for nipples treated with modified lanolin than for those not treated.
Introduction
Parents and professionals agree that breastfeeding is the best method of infant feeding (WHO 1981; HHS 1984; Lawrence 1989). Nevertheless, many parents choose to bottlefeed their babies or discontinue breastfeeding after a brief period of time (HHS 1984).
Numerous studies implicate nipple pain/damage as a cause of early weaning. Newton and Newton reported that 80% of breastfeeding mothers experienced nipple pain/damage and that nipple pain and nipple damage was a frequent cause of breastfeeding failure (Newton 1952). Hewat and Ellis reported that 95% of breastfeeding mothers experienced nipple pain on at least one breast (Hewat and Ellis 1987). Countryman found nipple pain the most common cause of early weaning (Countryman 1973). Frantz stated that sore nipples were the most significant problem encountered over the first one-year period in the Los Angeles Breastfeeding Infant Clinic and occurred at a rate of 57% (Frantz 1980).
In view of these reports, management of nipple pain deserves further investigation. The use of nipple creams/lotions/oils by breastfeeding women remains controversial. Numerous studies suggest that these interventions are ineffective. Newton researched the effect of hydrous lanolin, A & D Ointment, A & D Concentrate, soap/water and plain water on nipple pain (Newton 1952). The use of hydrous lanolin and the use of water yielded similar results, while the use of other preparations caused increased nipple pain (Newton 1952). Minchin stated that poor positioning, while not the only cause of nipple problems, was frequently the beginning of a cycle that lead to premature weaning (Minchin 1989). Woolridge found that breast and...