Coconut oil is thought to work as effectively as lanolin, if not better, as it contains natural healing properties that can help to prevent infection. Lanolin is more of a general moisture barrier and won't have any natural healing properties.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using medical-grade purified lanolin (a wax secreted by wool-bearing animals like sheep). But if you have a lanolin allergy or simply want other options, products made with easy-to-recognize oils like olive, coconut, cocoa or shea butter are generally good choices.
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.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is great for soothing your skin. Apply a small amount to nipples in a gentle massage. It can bring relief to sore, cracked or itchy nipples. It's also a moisturizing agent, so it's particularly welcoming if you're breastfeeding.
Is Coconut Oil Safe For Breastfeeding? Yes, as long as it's used in moderation when applied to the breast, coconut oil should be safe for breastfed newborns.
For me, the best thing that helps my lips is coconut oil and lanolin. They both have mending properties that help your lips heal as well as softening properties and moisturizing properties. Couple that together with a few other great ingredients and you have the best lip balm recipe.
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.
Coconut Oil
Research demonstrates that caprylic acid can successfully kill off the Candida albicans yeast that causes oral thrush. Use a cotton swab to dab coconut oil on the white patches in your baby's mouth. You can also apply it to your nipples if you're a nursing mom.
You can substitute orange wax on a 1:1 ratio for lanolin. Orange wax is derived from orange peels and works as an emollient in your skincare and body care products. An added benefit to orange wax over lanolin is the naturally occurring phytosterols found in oranges.
Of the women who did not use lanolin, 18% developed signs of nipple or breast infection, while 62% of the women who used lanolin developed signs of infection. Infection can include, bacterial or fungal (yeast). The results of this study suggest that lanolin use on nipples may increase women's chance of infection [2].
Side effects of lanolin include: Skin burning, stinging, redness, or irritation. Unusual changes in the skin (e.g., turning white/soft/soggy from too much wetness) (rare) Signs of skin infection (rare)
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.
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Since lanolin does retain so much moisture, it may plump the skin and fill in fine lines and face wrinkles, which makes it successful when formulating anti-aging products.
Additionally, lanolin can hold up to 400% of its weight in moisture while still being semi-occlusive, which allows your lips to breathe. Unlike petroleum jelly which sits on top of your lips, lanolin moisturizes and protects the skin without trapping in other toxins, for the ultimate healing hydration.
A lick or swallow of a zinc oxide or lanolin cream is not dangerous to a child; larger amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, though this is unusual. Petroleum jelly is used as a moisture barrier by some parents. A child who swallows a small amount will probably be OK.
Benefits: Lanolin oil has natural conditioning and moisturizing properties. The oil is extracted and used in a variety of human skin care products to help minimize wrinkles, soothe cracked nipples, and moisturize lips.
Hydrogenated castor oil has a similar consistency and would probably be my first choice for a substitute; otherwise, a soft butter would be a decent alternative. Include in your heated oil phase or cold blend into anhydrous products—it does not need to be melted, but can be.
As often as you like. For optimal protection, use Multi-Mam Lanolin at least twice a day.
Tips For Using Coconut Oil For Sore Nipples
Because some healing properties in coconut oil can be lost as it is refined or purified, Healthline reported that raw, unrefined coconut oil is best for use on skin.
Moisturizing Skin
Rich in essential fatty acids and proteins, coconut oil nourishes and gently moisturizes skin. Your baby's skin is more delicate because it's brand new, thinner, more sensitive, and produces fewer moisturizing oils. Creams and lotions are designed to help moisturize the top most layer of skin.
Which oil is best for baby massage – coconut oil or olive oil? Both the oils are suitable for baby massage. However, the practice of using coconut oil for a baby massage is age-old. On the other hand, olive oil has skin moisturizing properties.
Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer that will help to prevent dry nipples and will allow your nipples to heal while keeping them safe from infection. CoCo is also safe for babies, so there's no need to wash it off before the next feed.