If you plan to do some extra breastfeeding today as part of the great virtual breast fest, here's a tip from a recent study on preventing and soothing those nipple cracks that might arise.
Researchers studied whether peppermint gel, lanolin gel, or a neutral ointment were better for soothing the nipple pain and cracking that are often associated with first-time breastfeeding. They enrolled 216 women into the study and randomly gave them one of the 3 gels. They did not tell the women which gel they received, but they did tell them to use the gel daily for the first two weeks of breastfeeding. They found the peppermint gel was much more effective than either lanolin or a neutral ointment in reducing the rate of nipple and areola (the area around the nipple) cracks and pain.
Sore nipples are a common reason some women fail to continue breastfeeding in the early days of trying. However, breastfeeding is so beneficial to moms and babies that women's health researchers will take time to figure out how to keep mom comfortable while she and her infant learn to feed.
Now if we could only figure out how to keep the general public feeling comfortable when they see a mom breastfeeding....
Researchers studied whether peppermint gel, lanolin gel, or a neutral ointment were better for soothing the nipple pain and cracking that are often associated with first-time breastfeeding. They enrolled 216 women into the study and randomly gave them one of the 3 gels. They did not tell the women which gel they received, but they did tell them to use the gel daily for the first two weeks of breastfeeding. They found the peppermint gel was much more effective than either lanolin or a neutral ointment in reducing the rate of nipple and areola (the area around the nipple) cracks and pain.
Sore nipples are a common reason some women fail to continue breastfeeding in the early days of trying. However, breastfeeding is so beneficial to moms and babies that women's health researchers will take time to figure out how to keep mom comfortable while she and her infant learn to feed.
Now if we could only figure out how to keep the general public feeling comfortable when they see a mom breastfeeding....
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