Input please -

A midwife has started prescribing Lidocaine 2% for sore nipples.  Her
instructions include applying the medication post-feedings and washing
nipples pre-feedings.  This concerns me.  Have I missed something in my
years as an LC...Is this a new treatment?  Is it evidenced based?  Is it
a standard of care anywhere?  Is this treatment included in anyone's
policy and procedures?

 

Hale does not address topical Lidocaine and Newman does not include its
use in his APNO cream.  My breastfeeding friendly pharmacist does not
find anything in her literature to support the use of Lidocaine.

 

Using Lidocaine goes against my logical thinking path.   That thinking
path would include starting with a written order to have the LC assess a
latch before suggesting a treatment that may not be evidenced based.
But obviously not everyone thinks like I do.

 

I would appreciate your input so I can: #1 address this issue and
correct a potentially harmful situation or #2 learn about a new
treatment and be current in my breastfeeding knowledge.

 

Thanks

Brenda Rockers, RN, IBCLC, RLC

Conyers, GA

 

 

 


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