Why That Purple Tube Might Not Be Your Sore Nipples’ Best Friend
EXPERT GUEST BLOG
Written by Tors and Helen, lactation consultants (IBCLC) at Bump Boobs Babi
If you’ve mentioned sore nipples while breastfeeding, someone has probably suggested that purple tube.
Lanolin has been recommended to breastfeeding mothers for years. It’s easy to find, easy to apply, and plenty of parents do find it soothing. If it’s working for you and feeling comfortable, there’s no need to change anything.
But it’s also a recognised contact allergen. In 2023 the American Contact Dermatitis Society named lanolin its Allergen of the Year.¹ Most people with healthy skin tolerate it well, but irritated, inflamed or damaged skin is more susceptible,¹ and nipples that are already sore or cracked fit that description! Any product kept on the nipple can also cause moisture-associated skin damage, which is easily mistaken for an allergic reaction.² Add the way lanolin is often used, applied 8 to 10 times a day, and some people end up with worsening sore red inflamed nipples on top of the original problem.
We see this in clinic. Many of the people we support come to us with pink, sore nipples that aren’t improving despite a lot of cream. In our experience the cause (at least in part) is nearly always the use of that purple tube! Once we’ve looked at the feed and worked out what’s behind the pain, most people find that stopping the lanolin lets the pink, irritated look settle.
What if you are struggling right now?
Nipples sore, but the skin is intact?: you may not need anything. In a study comparing lanolin, warm compresses and expressed milk with doing nothing, there was no difference in pain.³ The important part is working out why they’re sore.
Nipples cracked or damaged?: a simple non-stick paraffin gauze dressing, such as Jelonet, can protect the skin while it heals.³
However, neither is a substitute for finding the cause.
Pain isn’t normal when breastfeeding, but it is common, sadly, and no cream can tell us why it’s happening. Positioning and attachment are frequent causes, but so are pump fit or suction, dermatitis and other skin conditions, infection, and feeding difficulties that need a more detailed assessment.² If you’ve been to the groups, asked for help, tried different positions and worked on the latch, and it still hurts, you haven’t failed. It just means something hasn’t been found yet
At Bump Boobs Babi, we look at the whole feed: you, your baby, the positioning and attachment, your nipples and breasts, and your full feeding history. You shouldn’t have to put up with painful feeding, and we’d love to help you get to the bottom of it.
Tors and Helen x
Help with sore nipples from Tors and Helen
Infant Feeding and Tongue Tie Specialists from Bump Boobs Babi
Providing support across South Wales
References
Johnson H, Norman T, Adler BL, Yu J. Lanolin: The 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year. Cutis. 2023;112(2):78-81. doi:10.12788/cutis.0825.
Douglas P. Re-thinking lactation-related nipple pain and damage. Womens Health (Lond). 2022;18:17455057221087865. doi:10.1177/17455057221087865. PMID: 35343816.
Buchanan et al. Cracked Nipples and Moist Wound Healing. The Breastfeeding Network. 2019.
