Mary Kay asks:
<Has anyone every heard of "white vinegar soaks" for sore nipples?
I think that would hurt like HECK. >

In the 1950's, as an OB nurse, I had thus far failed to nurse any of my
first 3 children past 5 days due to damaged and painful nipples. I
nevertheless felt enthusiastic enough about the potential value of
breastfeeding to strongly encourage and support my sister-in-law when her
first baby was due. Her Italian grandmother gave her own brand of
support, which included advice to daub white vinegar on her damaged
nipples. I thought at the time "what a quaint piece of 19th century old
world folklore". But S-I-L swore it was what got her past the initial
pain. And she was there to support me in successfully nursing my fourth
child, into toddlerhood, even though I never quite "bought" the "quaint
old world cure" for nipple damage.

Forward to 21st century science. I think of this often now, on WIC
warmline calls, when I suspect a mother may be developing a yeast
infection of her nipples. For temporary first-aid, I advise her to add a
tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of tap water, and daub it on her
nipples after feedings. Of course I now know that the vinegar is not to
heal the damage, but to discourage the growth of yeast by changing the pH
away from neutral. I suppose I might just as easily advise her to use dry
or dissolved baking soda to change the pH to the other extreme, but I've
not yet heard of anyone else advising it. So I continue to suggest
vinegar, just diluted a bit!

Jean
**********************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, OH USA

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