Just a quick note on a reference for treating nipple soreness along the lines
of the saline soaks. There is an article in JOGNN that compared three nipple
treatments used as comfort measures. One of these was warm water soaks. While
salt water soaks was not part of it, the warm water compresses provided more
comfort than the tea bags, expressed milk rubbed into the nipple/areola, or
plain air drying.
Buchko BL, et al: Comfort measures in breastfeeding primiparous women. JOGNN
(Journal of Obstetric, Gynecological & Neonatal Nursing) 1994; 23:46-52