There is one study I know of that compares tea bags with warm water compresses.
Lavergne NA 1997 Does application of tea bags to sore nipples while breastfeeding provide effective relief? JOGNN, J/F, 53-57.
In this study 65 primiparae with sore nipples were randomly assigned into three groups to right or left nipple: tea bags, warm water compresses, and no compresses. Tea bag and water compresses were more effective than no treatment with no statistical difference between the two types of compresses.  You might try both and repeat this study!

Carol L'Esperance, RN, MSN, IBCLC, Albuquerque, NM

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