All purpose nipple ointment!

fitmama89

Hey ladies!
I read about some "magical" all purpose nipple ointment on Alpha Mom. Have any of you ladies used it? I'm a little weary of the ingredients and there seems to be mixed reviews on whether or not you wipe off prior to feedings.

I had a heck of a time with cracked/bleeding nipples with DD & I am determined to bf this go around. My OBGYN doesn't seem to love it but he went ahead and wrote me out a prescription for it.

Link- https://alphamom.com/pregnancy/five-postpartum-essentials-for-mom/

semulcahy

I've heard coconut oil is supposed to be a really great substitute for actual nipple cream, especially since it's not harmful to baby at all if it's ingested. Unfortunately, again, I don't have first hand experience, but since you could always use it for something else, it could be worth a try!

Pontot31

The best thing I used was my own milk. Hand express some extra after each feeding and leave your bra/shirt down for a few minutes after. Air drying and your own milk are the best things. The nurses in the hospital taught me this and it really worked.

I also used lanolin and earth mama angel baby creams.
If I was very cracked and bleeding -- which I had minor issues with a few times in the beginning- I might ask for something stronger. I've heard from friends it works.

PetitNightingale

I tend to use Bio Oil as an all purpose solution to everything b/c my nipples have been very irritated throughout this entire pregnancy. 

Hopefully even if I choose not to BF I can still us my own milk to soothe my nipples if they get irritated. 

shellperry

I personally use cabbage leaves. You just freeze them and tuck them over your breast after feeding or pumping. There's no chemical and it's wonderfully soothing if they get sore or irritated.

Pontot31

shellperry said:

I personally use cabbage leaves. You just freeze them and tuck them over your breast after feeding or pumping. There's no chemical and it's wonderfully soothing if they get sore or irritated.

Doesn't cabbage help dry you up? That's what I was always told.

I buy the gel pads that you freeze and put in your bra. They feel amazing.

shellperry

Never did with either of mine you soke them over night and freeze them. I BF my first two for over a year. I have really sensitive skin most the creams gave me a rash

rox7777

I second breastmilk! I used 4 different brands before I figured out that milk worked the best. For extra sore days I layered milk and lanionsh brand. I bought the EMAB brand to try this time.

I used cabbage leaves to dry up my supply. I've heard it works for some and not for others. I liked the lanionsh packs the best.

rox7777

I forgot to add, if you're really cracked and sore, the flat nipple shields you wear between feedings are awesome. I always leaked and got stuck to my nursing pads which majorly sucked. AND you can add a layer of lanionsh to the inside of the nipple shield for heavy duty protection, just wipe off the extra beforehand.

rebeccalynn27

I agree with PP about using your own milk to help soothe yourself when they get cracked and sore. I'm also obessed with earth mama angel baby nipple butter. It's even great for chapped lips.

atuminaro

Honest Co. Nipple balm or earth mama angel baby nipple cream! And both can stay on during feelings .

Cook3133

I liked lanisohl to, plus if your pumping you can add a THIN layer in you pump parts to help ease the pumping process when you crack. I would then let my nipples air dry and put another thin layer on before I was done.

mamavbs

PetitNightingale said:

I tend to use Bio Oil as an all purpose solution to everything b/c my nipples have been very irritated throughout this entire pregnancy. 

Hopefully even if I choose not to BF I can still us my own milk to soothe my nipples if they get irritated. 

If you do breastfeed, you shouldn't use bio oil as it's not good for the baby to be eating. They'll probably puke.

If you don't breastfeed then you don't want to be squeezing your milk out for irritated nipples as it will encourage your supply instead of stopping it.



I used lanisoh, after trying pretty much all of the nipple creams! It's the only one I found helped me and also it was safe to feed with and I didn't need to wipe it off/baby didn't have any issues with it. Also- weird revelation but it is a KICK ASS lip balm. Seriously!

Falchas

I went with lanisohl with my first and that did the trick, but trying the earth mama this time around because the ingredients seem a little more appealing and have heard good reviews.

Wanted to add that if nipples are really dry and sensitive, slather whatever you are using on before taking a shower!  I know this seems obvious, but it took me a few weeks to figure out (new baby brain, worse than pregnancy brain if you ask me).  A hot shower felt so good on sore breast, but is a killer on already dry and irritated nipples.  So waterproofing with cream before hand made a huge difference.

Cook3133

Lanisohl also doubles as a good rash cream to .

fitmama89

I used Lansinoh with DD & I did not get any relief at all my nipples bled so bad that I was scared that DD was ingesting blood & I would have to throw away milk that I pumped due to blood possibly being in the milk.
I already have a new tube of Lansinoh ready to go and will definitely be trying some of the above mentioned tips.
Still hoping to get some feedback from some ladies that struggled with BF & used the all purpose nipple ointment

lakesideknitter

PetitNightingale said:

I tend to use Bio Oil as an all purpose solution to everything b/c my nipples have been very irritated throughout this entire pregnancy. 

Hopefully even if I choose not to BF I can still us my own milk to soothe my nipples if they get irritated. 

I'm very confused. Why would your nipples be cracked if you choose not to BF? Also, as @mamavbs said, why would you self-express if you're trying to dry up? So confused.

rebeccalynn27

THIS^ Hand expressing is definitely not what you want to do when trying to dry up your supply. BF is supply and demand. By expressing that's your way of telling your body to make more. And if you're not BF you won't have cracked nipples. And please do not use bio oil on your nipples if you do choose to breastfeed. That is definitely something that will make LO sick. @PetitNightingale

Elyse1384

As others have said, breastmilk expressed worked best for me (the nurses taught me this too). DS had a difficult time latching properly and was doing a lot of damage to the point where my nipples were bleeding. I ultimately had to use a shield to help with his latch and protect myself a bit, but I would use the leftover milk that pooled a bit in the shield to apply on myself after.

VexedMommy

PetitNightingale said:

I tend to use Bio Oil as an all purpose solution to everything b/c my nipples have been very irritated throughout this entire pregnancy. 

Hopefully even if I choose not to BF I can still us my own milk to soothe my nipples if they get irritated. 

If you don't know what you're talking about, learn to shut up. No one needs advice from a chick who literally did not understand their child needed more than a blanket to go home in a few months ago.

As a first time mom who has repeatedly expressed a dangerous amount of ignorance and lack of common sense to us in regards to your body and child rearing, your place on advice threads is to read and learn. There is nothing of value you have to share with the group in terms of how to be a mother.

missemmawoodhouse

Just FYI - APNO requires a prescription. Cabbage leaves dry you out - do not use as relief for sore nipples.

PetitNightingale

VexedMommy said:

I tend to use Bio Oil as an all purpose solution to everything b/c my nipples have been very irritated throughout this entire pregnancy. 

Hopefully even if I choose not to BF I can still us my own milk to soothe my nipples if they get irritated. 

If you don't know what you're talking about, learn to shut up. No one needs advice from a chick who literally did not understand their child needed more than a blanket to go home in a few months ago. As a first time mom who has repeatedly expressed a dangerous amount of ignorance and lack of common sense to us in regards to your body and child rearing, your place on advice threads is to read and learn. There is nothing of value you have to share with the group in terms of how to be a mother.

        I think I may have misunderstood. I thought she was looking for a solution to soothing her nipples, to which I suggested Bio Oil b/c that has always worked well for me and other women I know. I wasn't advocating breastfeeding with that on. That stings a bit but I get what you're trying to say.

kittyminkbcw

PetitNightingale said:

VexedMommy said:

PetitNightingale said:

I tend to use Bio Oil as an all purpose solution to everything b/c my nipples have been very irritated throughout this entire pregnancy. 

Hopefully even if I choose not to BF I can still us my own milk to soothe my nipples if they get irritated. 

If you don't know what you're talking about, learn to shut up. No one needs advice from a chick who literally did not understand their child needed more than a blanket to go home in a few months ago.

As a first time mom who has repeatedly expressed a dangerous amount of ignorance and lack of common sense to us in regards to your body and child rearing, your place on advice threads is to read and learn. There is nothing of value you have to share with the group in terms of how to be a mother.

        I think I may have misunderstood. I thought she was looking for a solution to soothing her nipples, to which I suggested Bio Oil b/c that has always worked well for me and other women I know. I wasn't advocating breastfeeding with that on. That stings a bit but I get what you're trying to say.

ETA qbf------------
Still, why on God's green earth would you attempt to express breast milk, when you're not breastfeeding?
Andplusalso you aren't going to have cracked hurt nipples if you aren't. :-??

PetitNightingale

okkkkkkk I get the point. Sorry. 

jscasher

I don't wanna hijack OP's thread, but quick question - - regardless of anything you do, are chapped and sore nipples a for sure thing when breastfeeding? Or does it go away as you and baby get more experienced with BF? I really want to BF and everyone has told me how miserable it is and how they gave up, but I was super motivated after attending a lactation class to stick it out.

lakesideknitter

PetitNightingale said:

okkkkkkk I get the point. Sorry. 

Doubtful.

rebeccalynn27

Stick it out. I was extremely sore and felt defeated after the first few weeks of BF but I kept going. It's so worth it. Your body gets used to it. And once you and baby have a good routine going it'll be fine. My son was like a leech from the first latch. If it's something you really want to do just push through it. I BF for over a year and only suffered the cracked/sore nipples in the beginning. @jscasher

Elyse1384

jscasher said:

I don't wanna hijack OP's thread, but quick question - - regardless of anything you do, are chapped and sore nipples a for sure thing when breastfeeding? Or does it go away as you and baby get more experienced with BF? I really want to BF and everyone has told me how miserable it is and how they gave up, but I was super motivated after attending a lactation class to stick it out.

It was very difficult and painful for me at first, but I stuck with it and it became so much better. The pain went away and DS had a better latch as time went. I made it 10 months exclusively BFing despite some setbacks along the way (several clogged ducts, mastitis, pain, etc) and could have easily kept going, but had to stop to go back on meds in prep for my next IVF cycle. That said, if it is too much for you there is no shame in tapping out! It's not for everyone.

VexedMommy

PetitNightingale said:

VexedMommy said:

PetitNightingale said:

I tend to use Bio Oil as an all purpose solution to everything b/c my nipples have been very irritated throughout this entire pregnancy. 

Hopefully even if I choose not to BF I can still us my own milk to soothe my nipples if they get irritated. 

If you don't know what you're talking about, learn to shut up. No one needs advice from a chick who literally did not understand their child needed more than a blanket to go home in a few months ago.

As a first time mom who has repeatedly expressed a dangerous amount of ignorance and lack of common sense to us in regards to your body and child rearing, your place on advice threads is to read and learn. There is nothing of value you have to share with the group in terms of how to be a mother.

        I think I may have misunderstood. I thought she was looking for a solution to soothing her nipples, to which I suggested Bio Oil b/c that has always worked well for me and other women I know. I wasn't advocating breastfeeding with that on. That stings a bit but I get what you're trying to say.

But you don't seem to be capable of following through. For the sake of your child, learn to shut up and listen. You have repeatedly proven by what you've told us (I'll pretend for now that any of it is true.) You have no ability to take care of yourself and yet you're about to take on a child. Recognize you are not the smartest girl in class anymore. You're one of the least capable people I have even heard of. Now is the time for hitting the books and cramming as much knowledge in as possible, not the time for spouting off on things you don't understand.

rebeccalynn27

@VexedMommy #girlcrush

kittyminkbcw

jscasher said:

I don't wanna hijack OP's thread, but quick question - - regardless of anything you do, are chapped and sore nipples a for sure thing when breastfeeding? Or does it go away as you and baby get more experienced with BF? I really want to BF and everyone has told me how miserable it is and how they gave up, but I was super motivated after attending a lactation class to stick it out.

I was only able to breastfeed for about a month with ds and yes, in the beginning it gets pretty painful but it gets better after about 2 weeks and lanolin plus breast milk is a God send.
I definitely wouldn't have given up over the discomfort but had some difficulty with his latch and suck (born at 38 weeks this is a common problem) and he began losing too much weight.

nmwheel1

I made a mixture with shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil but it didn't help. They gave me Lanolin in the hospital and I sent DH to buy more, that stuff is magical.
As a ftm with my daughter I didn't know what I was doing, they showed me how to latch but not how to properly unlatch so I just pulled her off. My nipples were cracked and bleeding but to encourage milk production I had to keep nursing (according to the lactation consultant). I can tell you the first 2 weeks were hell, but I kept going. I ended up exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months and DD didn't stop breastfeeding until she was 13 months old.

I already have a new tube of the Lanolin for this baby, it helped so much with my daughter!

fitmama89

Thank you for all the replies ladies. When I had DD I literally had no idea what to expect. For some reason I assumed that bf just came naturally and was not prepared at all. I'll have to remember to try the breast milk for relief of cracked nipples, but I will definitely be filling my prescription for all purpose nipple ointment to have on hand as my last resort I am determined to make bf work this time!

Cook3133

Breast milk can do wonders on a bunch of things! Baby gets cold in their eye, ear ache, you can use a from of Breast milk

Also in my experience it wasn't nursing that gave me cracked nipples it was my Breast pump . I went back to work full time and was pumping at least 4-5x a day during my 10-12 hour shifts.

sarahsnowball

I'm late to this but @jscasher I second PPs about nipples being sore at first but it definitely gets better as you and baby learn how to BF. My son had a terrible latch and it was 7 weeks before feeding started to get more comfortable.
I just wanted to add some advice that helped me through the first months, when I really wanted to BF but didn't know if I could cope much longer: set yourself small targets. I initially aimed to BF for 12 weeks, but in the early stages I ended up concentrating on getting through one day at a time. As it started to get more comfortable I could focus on a week at a time.
By the time I reached week 12 I'd fought so hard to BF that I didn't see any point in stopping. It became so easy that I didn't need to set myself targets anymore.

mamavbs

@jscasher mine were bad for a week or two but it's because they've never been used this way before (making some serious assumptions about most people's sex lives here hahaha but assuming they don't get sucked every 2 hours!) so just because they're sore, doesn't necessarily mean you're doing it wrong. Everyone told me if it hurt I wasn't getting the latch right but that wasn't true. Changing your breast pads often, using a good cream after each feed and also getting as much air time as you realistically can in those first weeks- really helps them heal.

@fitmama89 I found it sooo much easier the second time around, I'm hoping the same will be for you! I only had a few days of soreness and cracks, I'm assuming it's because my nipples weren't as shocked second time! I got the lanisoh cool/heat breast pads and they were amazing. They're gel filled pads you can heat or chill (whatever you fancy) and you stick them in your bra. They gave me great relief!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0070767DU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1444814597&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=lanisoh+soothies&dpPl=1&dpID=51XuWHfPCgL&ref=plSrch


Edit for the link to the pads I'm talking about!

Pontot31

fitmama89 said:

I used Lansinoh with DD & I did not get any relief at all my nipples bled so bad that I was scared that DD was ingesting blood & I would have to throw away milk that I pumped due to blood possibly being in the milk.
I already have a new tube of Lansinoh ready to go and will definitely be trying some of the above mentioned tips.
Still hoping to get some feedback from some ladies that struggled with BF & used the all purpose nipple ointment

Don't worry about a little blood in the milk. I was told
Not to throw it away that it's ok for them to still drink.

Pontot31

jscasher said:

I don't wanna hijack OP's thread, but quick question - - regardless of anything you do, are chapped and sore nipples a for sure thing when breastfeeding? Or does it go away as you and baby get more experienced with BF? I really want to BF and everyone has told me how miserable it is and how they gave up, but I was super motivated after attending a lactation class to stick it out.

After the first few weeks it gets so much easier.
Trying different positions and using a nipple shield on my one side that got the most beat up is what helped me. By week 2 we had found our rhythm and BFed for 2.5 years.

It can hurt in the beginning. But it does get easier.
Seek support and help. Find a local Le Leche League and an LC if the pain lasts. Sometimes latch is to blame. It's going to be uncomfortable at first because they are pretty much attached 24/7 in the beginning.

Gapeach83

@jscasher my second I didn't really have issues but once in awhile. They would bleed but happened less than 5 times in a year. Also DD1 was painful and I gave it could be because she never ever got a good latch. DD2 I don't remember really being super painful (Except my uterus contracting while she was feeding). DD2 latched immediately and no issues. I also always rubbed milk on my nipple after feeding I think this helped me have very little issues with cracked nipples.

*bio oil is not safe for baby to ingest which would happen if you put on your nipple when BFing. They make special creams for a reason because they are safe if ingested. Also why coconut oil is safe because you can eat it.*

flas

@kittyminkbcw girl I love ya, I will just point out 1 thing. While I wont be breastfeeding I will still be expressing milk. Or at least trying to. My body produces very little milk and after 2 kids I have learned my lesson but I still plan on giving baby as much milk as I can squeeze out, even if it only works for a week. That being said though it's very rarely that my nipples get sore since it's all pumping and since I don't want to waste any breastmilk I've used the lanolin before and since I only had mild irritation it worked. As said by PPs try using breastmilk it can really help.

jscasher

Thanks for all the tips about breastfeeding and thank you OP for letting me hijack for a quick second!