If you have a sensitivity to wool, lanolin may not be the best option for your sore nipples. It can cause further pain and be quite unpleasant, often leaving a tingling or itchy feeling. In fact, many mothers who live in warmer climates might not be aware that they have a sensitivity.
Safety. Lanolin cream is safe to use on intact skin while breastfeeding and is non-toxic for both mother and baby. You do not have to wipe it off or remove it before your baby breastfeeds.
Lanolin has been found to contain traces of pesticides. It's commonly used as a treatment by breastfeeding mothers for sore nipples and these pesticides can be passed to the baby. The pesticides have been strongly linked to skin irritations.
Lanolin can also cause allergic reactions and even poisoning if too much is ingested. For me, it's scary to think I was rubbing a pesticide-laden ointment onto my breasts and then feeding my baby believing it was safe for her to ingest. Not only is it not safe but, as I mentioned previously, it didn't even work for me.
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.
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.
These by-products have many names to hide their true source, such as Glycerin and Lanolin. Mineral oil is a by-product of the distillation of petroleum (what they make your gasoline from). It is often listed as petrolatum, paraffin wax, or mineral oil. All of the ingredients listed above can act as hormone disruptors.
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.
Studies, however, have found increased allergic reactions to lanolin. According to the US National Library of Medicine, the most common side effects for lanolin use is allergic reaction or skin irritation. Women with wool and latex allergies are more prone to have an allergic reaction to lanolin, and should avoid it.
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.
When should I apply nipple cream? Use Purelan™ at every feed to relieve soreness, moisturise, and protect your nipples and skin. There is no need to remove the lanolin cream before feeding your baby.
Since it is obtained through the wool industry without harming or killing the animals, lanolin can best be described as an 'animal harvested' natural product.
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.
In general, lanolin can be used daily and is found in many different skincare products and formulations. You will more than likely reap the most benefits by applying your chosen product and leaving it on overnight—or for an extended period—while lanolin penetrates the skin to aid in moisture retention.
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.
Lanolin is a natural moisturizing wax that's extracted from sheep's wool. It's used in a wide array of skincare products, from eye creams to baby oil and hemorrhoid ointment. It's often recommended for nipples that are sore from breastfeeding. Eating a lot of lanolin can cause lanolin poisoning.
Medical-grade lanolin is not very poisonous. Nonmedical grade lanolin sometimes causes a minor skin rash. Lanolin is similar to wax, so eating large amounts of it can cause a blockage in the intestines.
Endocrine disruptors are found in many everyday products, including some plastic bottles and containers, liners of metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides.
Wash your hands before breastfeeding your baby, especially after nappy changes. You do not need to wash your breasts. You can use water to clean your nipples when you have a shower. You do not need to use soap on your nipples.
It has traditionally been used topically to treat sore, cracked nipples during breastfeeding. Highly purified modified lanolin (Lansinoh) has the pesticide and detergent residues removed and the natural free alcohols reduced to below 1.5% to improve safety and reduce the allergic potential.