Lanolin is a yellow fat obtained from sheep's wool. It has traditionally been used topically to treat sore, cracked nipples during breastfeeding.
Lanolin products should be avoided in people with a known allergy to wool. If you experience any increased skin irritation or pain, skin cracking, or bleeding after using lanolin cream, or your baby's mouth develops any sores or redness, you should discontinue using it.
Soften a pea-sized amount between fingers and apply to the entire nipple area after each feeding or as needed. Apply before showering to protect sensitive nipples.
Nipple cream made from ultra-pure lanolin – a natural product obtained from sheep's wool. This moisturises and supports healing. It's harmless for your baby, so there's no need to wash off lanolin before breastfeeding.
Is the lanolin cream safe for my baby? Purelan™ lanolin nipple cream provides fast relief for mums' sore nipples and dry skin, and is safe for babies, with no need to remove before feeding1 ¯ 4.
This difference in the properties between the petroleum jelly and lanolin-based products, combined with the fact that lanolin has a high-fat content (skin loves fat) makes lanolin better for skincare. It keeps your skin plump, preventing evaporation especially in dry environments.
Superficial and recent soreness may clear in a matter of hours or days. However, long-established and profound wounds may require a up to 2 or 3 weeks to be entirely resolved even after the cause of the soreness has been eliminated.
The reason is simple. While lanolin is commonly used for chapped skin and can therefore help chapped nipples, it does not have any healing properties like coconut oil does. Coconut oil is also antimicrobial and antifungal, which are benefits other nipple creams also lack.
There is no need to remove Medela Tender Care™ Lanolin before breastfeeding. Modified lanolin is considered the treatment of choice. Avoid any ointment that must be wiped off before feeding the baby, as this will irritate skin even more.
Do not put on 2 doses or extra doses. Many times lanolin is used on an as needed basis. Do not use more often than told by the doctor.
Because of its high fat content, lanolin is occlusive, meaning it prevents the evaporation of water from the skin (transepidermal water loss). This keeps skin moisturized and helps the skin heal.
100% SAFE FOR MOM AND BABY: Packed with natural ingredients, including lanolin, caprylic/capric triglycerides, and oat beta glucan, the Medela Lanolin Nipple Cream is safe for mom and baby alike.
Symptoms of lanolin poisoning include: Diarrhea. Rash. Swelling and redness of skin.
Lanolin can also cause allergic reactions and even poisoning if too much is ingested.
If your nipples are cracked or bleeding, it's okay to continue breastfeeding your baby. To help relieve your discomfort, use the care tips given above. Call your doctor or a lactation consultant if you find it too painful to breastfeed or if you've tried home treatment for 24 hours and it doesn't help.
If you can, continue breastfeeding (it is quite safe for baby to feed on a bleeding nipple). But if it's too painful, you may need to take your baby off the breast for 24 to 48 hours, rest the nipple and feed your baby expressed breast milk.
Improper nursing technique.
Usually, nipple fissures appear because your baby isn't latching onto your breast to nurse correctly. Your baby may struggle to get enough milk, putting more strain on sensitive nipple tissue as they try to feed.
Nipple pain is common in the early days of breastfeeding. This is because your nipples are not used to breastfeeding. The pain lasts for a short time, usually around 1 week. Soreness that continues throughout the breastfeed, or lasts for more than 1 week of breastfeeding, is not normal.
Lanolin is classified as an occlusive moisturizer. This means it works by reducing water loss from the skin, similar to petroleum jelly. While petroleum can reduce the evaporation of skin's moisture by 98%, lanolin reduces it by between 20% and 30%.
Not only does lanolin hydrate skin and lock in moisture, but it's also beneficial as a healing ointment and is even found in certain diaper rash creams. “It helps with the healing process in minor scrapes, cuts, burns, and irritations,” says Dr. King.
This ability to seal moisture into the skin and treat dry areas makes lanolin particularly helpful for those with chapped lips in need of hydration. “Because the lips lack their own oil glands, lanolin can help soften and retain moisture,” Chang said.