Expert: Sally Wendkos Olds - 9/13/2005

Question
Hi, I was wondering if using lotions and such can cause a baby to get thrush then how do you keep your nipples moisturized, as well as from getting cracked and irritated.  Is there a certain kind of lotion you can use?  Also, how does breastfeeding effect a woman's sexuality?
Thank you, Elizabeth

Answer
Dear Elizabeth,

Two good questions:

1) On the lotions issue, I write the following in my book (see below):

CARE OF YOUR BREASTS
Fortunately, your breasts are a sturdy part of your body, so you don't need to treat them like fragile china. In fact, while you're pregnant or nursing, you don't need to do much of anything special to take care of your breasts. You don't need to bother with any special nipple-care rituals, and you don't need any special salves or ointments.
  But your breasts do need to feel comfortable, which for many women involves wearing a good nursing bra. Later in this chapter we talk about finding bras that will do just that, while making it more convenient for you to breastfeed. And you do need to let your body's natural moisturizers work on your breasts, by not putting any drying agents on them, including soap.
  If you splash water over your breasts during your daily shower and change your bra at least once a day (or more often, if you're leaking a great deal of milk), your breasts and your nipples will be clean. Furthermore, disposable or washable breast pads worn inside your bra will help protect your nipples, while they help to avoid leakage of milk onto your clothing.
   Although breastfeeding women were for years advised to apply a soothing cream or ointment to the nipples after feedings to prevent or treat nipple soreness, research does not show any evidence that any of these creams or salves help. In fact, some can even do harm.
  If a substance needs to be wiped off before a baby nurses, the friction on the mother's breasts may contribute to soreness. Also, some salves contain ingredients that some women are allergic to; the more ingredients a product contains, the greater the possibility of a reaction.
  If your nipples became sore after using a product, stop using it immediately. If it was a prescription item (for treating thrush, for example), ask your doctor to prescribe a substitute.
  One over-the-counter balm that some women find soothing is purified lanolin. This does not have to be wiped off before you nurse, and will not hurt you or your baby. However, since lanolin is a fatty substance made from wool, don't use it if you are allergic to wool. Lansinoh for Breastfeeding Mothers® is a safe, pure brand of USP modified lanolin.
   A more effective practice is keeping your nipples free of surface wetness. You can do this by changing your bra or breast pad if they get wet from leaking milk.
  Your breasts should feel good during lactation. Because they are doing something they never did before, however, they may feel somewhat tender on the second or third day of nursing, and possibly even later. However, you should not be hurting. Painful, cracked, or bleeding nipples are not normal. If you develop soreness that's more than mildly uncomfortable and if it doesn't go away in a day or two, take care of it immediately. You may need to change your breastfeeding technique (see Chapter 5), and also treat your nipples.

2) Yes, breastfeeding is closely tied in with female sexuality. I devote an entire chapter to this topic, so I'll just briefly say here that it affects different women in different ways: some women become more sexual and others temporarily lose interest.

Best regards,

Sally

Sally Wendkos Olds
Author, THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BREASTFEEDING: Eiger & Olds, 3rd edition 1999, published by Workman Publishing & Bantam Books, and available in most public libraries, bookstores & La Leche League chapters.