Sue Huml, LLLL, IBCLC
Lansinoh Laboratories

Breastfeeding mothers in the Scandinavian countries often use wool and silk/wool
breast pads.  In Iceland, there is a wool breast warmer that is quite popular
and I believe these warmers are quite common in countries where there are very
cold winters.  The wool breast warmers are not so much for catching leaking milk
but to keep  the lactating breasts warm during cold weather.  Some are made from
a soft knitted 100%wool and there are others that are wool lined with silk.

I have before me a lovely comfortable pair of breast pads brand name "Soielan"
made in Switzerland comprized of wool and silk, I've had them for some time and
don't know if they are still available in the US. A US importer used to
advertise them in La Leche's magazine  New Beginnings.

Dr. Dermer had posted to Lactnet yesterday that  "we should remember that some
people are allergic to wool (that's why some have reactions to lanolin in breast
creams)"    I wanted to comment on that as the relationship between wool and
lanolin sensitivity used to be the standard  line in breastfeeding books, that
were published prior to 1992 and I wanted to clarify the difference between
lanolin sensitivity/allergy and  wool contact dermatitis.

Up until recently, many sources cautioned that women allergic to wool avoid the
use of lanolin.  A recent informal study contradicts this information.
Seventeen women who considered themselves allergic to wool participated in a
skin patch test.  Lanolin was applied to the forearm and covered with a bandaid.
After 12 hours no one experienced even a mild reaction, and after 24  and 36
hour checks, the results were the same.  Dr. James W. Baker, a board certified
pediatrician and allergist agrees with these findings.  He says that "The
statement that people who are allergic to wool should avoid lanolin products has
no scientific base." He goes on to say that what is often identified as an
allergy to wool is in fact a contact dermatitis reaction from the skin coming
into contact with wool fiber.  This condition is in no way related to an allergy
to lanolin;  it would be like saying someone who is allergic to cow hide
(leather) would also be allergic to milk or that if you have an allergy to eggs
you should avoid chicken.

As previously mentioned in other posts,  the components responsible for lanolin
sensitivity/allergy have been identified as the naturally ocurring free lanolin
alcohols in combination with detergent residues.

So, it is only  the mother who is sensitive to wool who should not use wool
breast pads!

Thanks for letting me clarify  this.
Sue Huml