Hi!
Thought I'd chime in on this one because I have had experience with it.

In a message dated 96-06-28 14:35:16 EDT, you write:
>
>2.      What about this statement? "Contrary to the recommendations of most
>textbooks, soaps can be used regularly during normal bathing--they are not
>harmful to the skin."
>        Don't many LCs recommend women not use soap on their nipples during
>pregnancy?

The statement is not, IMHO, correct at all, when it concerns BF moms.  I work
with a lot of moms who have to pump, for whatever reason, in order to feed
their baby.  Many times I have gotten a call from a mom who is not physically
BF her baby (only pumping) telling me that her nipples are cracked and
bleeding.  I ask if she has tried to BF the baby...NO.  Has she been starting
the pump on maximum suction...NO.  Does she ever get it to maximum
suction...NO.  Is she using soap on her nipples in the shower? YES!  After
telling them to NOT use the soap, get some P... L.n from WIC, within a couple
of days they are fine.  Nips healed all is better.
I always tell my clients not to use soap on their nipples, because of the
drying effects.  Most of the LCs I have talked to reccomend the same thing.
 I don't know why it is that the nipple can so easily become dried out and
crack, but it sure can!  Maybe has something to do with stripping the
lubricating properties of the montgomery glands on the areola??   Whatever,
but it is standard reccomendation for no soap over here!

Jay
Whose skin is so sensitive that she has to be ULTRA careful what type of soap
she uses, and has to use lotion after every shower so she doesn't look like a
shedding snake!  :)  Soap on her Nipples??  Heavens NO!