The oil is being used for lubrication.
I'm concerned like Heather, about the need for olive oil in the maternity
unit.  Positioning and latch is what is most critical in first few days.
There seems to be a "normal" amount of soreness as the nipple is stretched
in first few days, but outright cracks in the hospital?  Leads me to think
you need to help moms get babies on better.   Sometimes the damage is done
at that first fumbling feed, so care needs to  be taken then.  I've always
preferred normal saline soaks if they are so tender or cracked in first few
days.

That said- I recommend olive oil or salad oil, if mom has no lanolin in
home for use in between feeds when mom is using Nystatin.  I find Nystatin
is very drying to the nipples.  Oil applied after a feed won't be there by
the next feed.  My favorite line is that they aren't buttering bread, use
oil or lanolin sparingly, rub in.  Sincerely, Pat in SNJ

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