Dear friends,
what do you think about the use of peppermint water for nipple cracks and
nipple pain? I have found this article in the International Breastfeeding
Journal (never heard of the peppermint water for nipples before, may be  it
is the local Iranian practice). The researchers seem to get nice results.
 
http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/2/1/7
 

Abstract

Background

Nipple pain and damage in breastfeeding mothers are common causes of
premature breastfeeding cessation. Peppermint water is popularly used for
the prevention of nipple cracks in the North West of Iran. The aim of this
study was to determine the effectiveness of peppermint water in the
prevention of nipple cracks during breastfeeding in comparison with the
application of expressed breast milk (EBM).

Methods

One hundred and ninety-six primiparous breastfeeding women who gave birth
between February and May 2005 in a teaching hospital in Tabriz, Iran, were
randomized to receive either peppermint water or EBM. Each woman was
followed for up to three visits or telephone calls within 14 days and then
by telephone call at week six postpartum.

Results

Women who were randomized to receive peppermint water were less likely to
experience nipple and areola cracks (9%) compared to women using EBM (27%; p
< 0.01). Women who used the peppermint water on a daily basis were less
likely to have a cracked nipple than women who did not use peppermint water
(relative risk 3.6, 95%CI: 2.9, 4.3). Nipple pain in the peppermint water
group was lower than the expressed breast milk group (OR 5.6, 95% CI: 2.2,
14.6; p < 0.005).

Conclusion

This study suggests that peppermint water is effective in the prevention of
nipple pain and damage. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness
of peppermint water in conjunction with correct breastfeeding techniques.

 

sincerely yours,

Victoria Nesterova, Kiev, Ukraine

http://breastfeeding.narod.ru


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