I have been told by local LCs here in England that  they are seeing  quite a 
lot of damaged nipples with  an infection.  Obviously the wound is bathed in 
breastmilk but somehow there is the infection still, which needs to  go 
before healing can happen .  On a personal  basis one to one I think some 
mums over here are having the suggestion  made to  wash once a day with mild 
soap, carefully drying then moisturising the abrasion , on the grounds that 
this will heal quicker than an infected one.  If a mum with such an 
infection cannot get to see a doc quickly for   treatment it is thought 
better to  use simple home remedies such as a daily  gentle wash with  a bit 
of soap followed by  moisturising  until she can get treatment
An alternative  suggestion sometimes given is washing instead in  slightly 
salty water, followed by  moisturising with something  bland.  Vaseline , or 
jelonet is used  by some hospitals here instead of  purified lanolin, this 
is not liked by some  as  it exposes the baby to too much  of something 
which isn't meant to be ingested, but some don't like the  lanolin ,  it's 
what  individual mothers get on with I suppose, and helping them understand 
the reason for what is being suggested. So she would  know not to use it on 
the  nipple which is not damaged [if the other one isn't].
I understand that calendula [in   ointment for example or in  tincture 
diluted as a rinse]  is so healing that  it is not advised  for use on 
nipples unless they are wholly free of infection, has anyone come across 
this?

Helen
England

> Subject: Re: mild soap?
>
> Morgan's right - we don't put soap on wounded nipples here, and I
> have never heard of anyone being told to do it....the opposite, in
> fact, as soap can be drying, de-moisturising the skin.
>
> If people ask what to apply, they're usually told to use a
> proprietary preparation....personally, I am not keen on Vaseline,
> though, as apart from its contents (yuk), it is very sticky and
> doesn't get soft and spreadable enough.
>
> Heather Welford Neil
> NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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