no lanolin after 1st week PP?

hey_little_bird · March 2012

in the most recent issue of American Baby i read that you should only use lanolin on your nipples for a maximum of one week post-partum. after that it supposedly contributes to thrush.

this is news to me, and honestly sounds kind of strange.

thoughts/personal experience, anyone?

poobear2015 · March 2012

I don't know - but that doesn't sound pleasant. I do find it weird that baby can feed with it still on - I always wiped it off. Just weird to me. I wouldn't want to eat that stuff.

katcarls · March 2012

I used it for the first 6 weeks or so and I never had any problem with thrush. If you're concerned, you could switch to a nipple cream without lanolin. Motherlove and Earth Mama Angel Baby are both good options.

jb2rn · March 2012

I never had an issue..

katiewhompus · March 2012

I used Lansinoh/Medela brands for a good 8 weeks with no issues.

tokenhoser · March 2012

Use it if you need it, stop when you don't. I only needed it for a week or so, then I got lazy and it made no difference. That tube I bought might last me through a dozen babies at the rate I used it for this one.

jrc2009 · March 2012

Every time I've gotten Thrush (about 4 times), it was after using lanolin for an extended period of time. My LC explained that yeast grows in warm, damp environments so it makes sense to me! I don't think it affects everyone the same way, as I know several women who use lanolin religiously and don't get Thrush, but it definitely doesn't agree with me! Moral of my story: I haven't used lanolin since December and we haven't gotten Thrush again. Between October and December when I was using lanolin several times a day, I got Thrush 4 times.

hey_little_bird · March 2012

AmyG*:
yes, anything that traps moisture up against your skin could make it a more friendly environment for yeast to grow. But if all the bacteria on your skin and nips stay in balance, then the yeast can't get a foothold. If you have damaged nips, you are more prone to thrush. and if you use the lanolin to keep your nips from becoming damaged, that can prevent thrush.

I'd say that American Baby is misinterpreting the information that is available and trying to make a blanket statement about something that has many variables. In other words, take most things you read in American Baby with a grain of salt, especially since they are so supported by formula advertisers, their breastfeeding advice tends to be not quite accurate.

So in my opinion, Meh, it doesn't really contribute to thrush, and since most women need to use it much longer than one week, and often use it for about a month without issue.

this is pretty much exactly what i was thinking.

and thank you, everyone for the insight!

memo9 · March 2012

tokenhoser:
Use it if you need it, stop when you don't. I only needed it for a week or so, then I got lazy and it made no difference. That tube I bought might last me through a dozen babies at the rate I used it for this one.

Haha! Right?! I didn't even use the whole sample tube from the hospital. I think the concern is that it traps moisture and moisture is a breeding ground for yeast.

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no lanolin after 1st week PP?

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