The following incident made me a believer in giving modified lanolin to every
nursing mother.

I was called into the hospital for a lactation consult on a 4-day old who had
been admitted to the hospital with jaundice and dehydration.  Before I
prepared to help the mother get the baby to breast, I asked her if her
breasts were hard or sore.  She said they were (although she had not
volunteered this information to the nursery staff, so they were unaware of
the problem).
I suggested that we put warm towels on her breasts before putting the baby to
breast.  When she removed her bra, I could see at a glance that her nipples
were raw.  She was able to nurse with relative comfort, after I assisted her
to latch the baby on.  He took 2.2 oz. at the breast.  When she was finished
nursing I gave her a tube of Lansinoh and instructed her how to use it.
When I began charting regarding mom's sore nipples on the baby's chart, I
realized that I had given a mother a medication without an order (since the
mother had already been discharged and therefore no doctor's orders applied
to her.)  I charted "Mom using Lansinoh for sore nipples."
Now I give every nursing mother Lansinoh.  I instruct her how and when to use
it.  I tell her that if she needs to use it, that she needs to check
positioning and get help if necessary, because sore nipples are not normal.
                   Bonnie (an idealist trying to fit into an imperfect world)