Cochrane reported on a study for treating sore nipples for breastfeeding mothers (December 15, 2014). Cochrane is an independent non-profit, non-government organization in 130 countries with over 31,000 volunteers. In the field of human health, it does systematic reviews of primary research that is free from commercial sponsorship and other conflicts of interest.
What did the Cochrane report state regarding sore nipples? First, many women quit breastfeeding during the first few weeks of breastfeeding; the most common reason given for quitting was sore nipples. Four clinical trials were studied involving 656 women and 5 treatments (glycerine pads, lanolin with breast shells, lanolin alone, expressed breast milk, and an all-purpose nipple ointment) plus all women were educated on proper positioning of the infant at the breast.
Second, there was not one of these treatments that could be highly recommended; third, usually within 7 to 10 days the situation improved regardless of the method used.
Warm Air from a Portable Hair Dryer
Sore nipples (in spite of following the La Leche instructions on treatment of the nipples before and after birth) were a problem for me. After the birth of our fourth daughter in 1972, I had an especially difficult situation. Nothing LLL recommended worked for me. I even went without a bra, but even the shirt I wore bothered my nipples.
A good friend, Rose Busam, who at that time was a La Leche League leader and trained leaders-to-be, told me to apply warm air repeatedly using a portable hair dryer. I used the dryer after each nursing and whenever I thought about using it. If I remember correctly, I was fine within a full 24-hour period! The quick relief was wonderful, and it was all due to the warm drying air.
Another case was helped by the hair dryer. A nursing mother had a deep sore due to her baby’s bite near her nipple. When it looked like it was healing, it would tend to open up again while breastfeeding her baby. She was extremely concerned as to how she could get this wound to heal. I recommended the portable hair dryer treatment and it worked.
If you are having a problem with sore nipples, please give this treatment a try. It costs nothing as most of us have a hair dryer in our home. One caution would be to have the warm air flow gently over the breastfeeding area. Avoid a real strong force of air.
Sheila Kippley
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding