Hi Mary
... because perception is reality.  Assuming all the best practice things are being done, and assuming  the lanolin does no harm (not sure if that has been established), mothers may *feel* that the staff understands their pain and *feel* nurtured and cared for when lanolin is offered in an attempt to relieve their distress.  
I was recently in hospital and the most effective nursing care I received was the repositioning of my pillows, the application of a heat pack and a listening ear.   I am not sure that any of these things was medically indicated, actually relieved my pain or accelerated my recovery.  BUT I surely felt that the nurse responsible really cared for me and that eased my anxiety.  Her actions were in stark contrast to those of other nurses who responded to my reported discomfort by checking my chart and informing me that I had had all the analgesia that had been prescribed to me. (Which I heard as, "You've had your meds.  You shouldn't have pain.  Stop being such a wimp.  There's nothing I can do for you"
Nina Berry
Australia
On 28/07/2011, at 10:55 AM, Mary Oconnor wrote:

> I was wondering what moms are taught to do for nipple care during the postpartum stay in other hospitals.   We have lanolin on the unit, but since colostrum, air drying and correcting any latch problem is the best practice, I wonder why we should even purchase lanolin?

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