This is a great discussion and I am very interested in learning how others 
manage wound care on nipples.

When I am working with a mom with sore nipples particularly with visual 
damage, I do recommend washing at least once a day with soap and rinsing 
dry.  Basic wound management; when she takes a shower clean the area, just 
like she would do if she cut her finger.

After feedings and after shower, I recommend expressing breast milk and 
patting it around areola.  If the wounds are particularly bad, I recommend 
saline flushes or soaks.

With generalized mild soreness, breast milk is a great fix, but for more severe 
discomfort with wound management I like to see the area cleaned.  As far as 
the soap, I believe any soap that the mom normally uses to shower is better 
than not cleaning the area at all.  If a mom asks me, I usually recommend soap 
with no dyes or fragrances/what she would use on the baby.

P.S. My main focus is on what caused the soreness :)

Casi Leahy
BA, RN, MSN, LCCE, IBCLC

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