OK, Lactnuts!

I've searched the archives for the last year, & there was a post in May asking
about "current practice" and tea bags for sore/cracked nipples, but only one
or two (conflicting, I might add) responses.

One of the other LCs in our hospital system asked me why I "told an entire
nursing staff" not to use tea bags, "when they work really well alot of times,
and moms ought to be given choices of treatments".  I explained that this
particular hospital staff had NO LC available to them, were using tea bags
inside breast shells and leaving them there until the next feed.  I also said
I had not seen any conclusive data proving that tea bags helped and/or did not
harm.

My personal observation is that many babies have an even more dysfunctional
suck after tea bags, because it make them pucker.  Even several rinses with
water (further drying out the nipples!) doesn't always get the taste off the
nipples.

So, oh wise ones, ARE there any documented studies for/against the use of tea
bags?  What do the MDs, PhDs and acknowledged "Lactmothers" out there think?
My credentials alone aren't enough clout... I need advice from all you "big
names". (Actually, you ALL are "big names" in MY book, but you know what I
mean ;-)  )

TIA,

Carol in St. Louis where it's finally decided it's winter