Sue Huml, LLLL, IBCLC
Lansinoh Laboratories

Now I've heard it all!!  Lanolin has been blamed for so many  problems over the
years but "blocked DUCKS!" really!  Is that a duck, stretched out like a skin
and blocked like a quilt? or, is it a duck with an intestinal blockage?  :-)   I
know what it is, it just won't stop raining here in Illinois and we would all be
better off here if we were ducks!    Quack.......

Seriously, it may be convienient to place blame on modified lanolin if a mother
develops a plugged duct at the same time as she has nipple soreness, however,
when L-------h was tested for comedogenicity (ability to block pores) on a level
of 1 - 5 with 5 being the highest level of comedogenicity, it was rated as a 0!
Of course a mother can have  a blocked duct and nipple damage at the same time.
I have seen ducts blocked because the air drying method was encouraged for
healing traumatized nipples and scabs had formed on the nipple blocking the
transfer of the milk from the terminal ducts, then milk backs up into the
lactiferous duct causing the blockage.

It is also very possible that when a mother has traumatized nipples, some
swelling may be involved with the terminal ducts, especially if baby has been
clamping down hard on the nipple.  Such edema (which is frequently observed when
injury is present) can cause the tube like structure of the lactiferous terminal
duct to become smaller, thereby inhibiting easy expulsion of the milk in the
lacterferous sinus and lactiferous ducts.

Creams that are petrolatum based DO have the ability to clog pores, therefore do
check to see the ingredients of any nipple topical as multi ingredient topicals
can contain ingredients that are comedogenic, contain alcohol, or astringents
which dry out skin, or contain ingredients such as bismuth subnitrate that are
not safe for ingestion by the infant.  Many creams sold in health food stores
which are based on flower extracts and also, those which contain beeswax are
often high in pesticide residues.  Such impurities are not routinely tested for
especially as the products are not specifically intended for nipple use where
ingestion may occur.


Sue Huml