Why Breastfeeding Moms Shouldn’t Use Lanolin – And What You Should Use Instead
Why Breastfeeding Moms Shouldn’t Use Lanolin – And What You Should Use Instead
This post about the safety of lanolin was written while serving as a paid brand ambassador for Earth Mama Angel Baby. All opinions are mine.
When I was pregnant for the first time and learning about breastfeeding, I remember being told that lanolin was an absolute must have for all breastfeeding mamas. So like the good mama I planned to be, I stocked up so that I'd have it on hand when the baby was born.
I used it religiously to try and heal my sore, cracked nipples, but it never did seem to do the trick. In fact, I ended up having to use polysporin to heal the cracks as they were starting to get infected. No matter how often I used lanolin, things just kept getting worse. I assumed I just had bad luck.
Kaylee was born in Uruguay, and I searched everywhere to find lanolin while I was pregnant with her to no avail. I learned that lanolin isn't used for breastfeeding there, and was directed to a pink tube of calendula cream. At the time, I thought it was so bizarre, but researched what calendula cream was. I was astounded that it wasn't used in the US as it's natural and much safer for baby. I also quickly learned it worked much better than lanolin ever did for me.
Only recently did I learn what a poor choice lanolin is for breastfeeding – or for any skincare use for that matter.
The Problems with Lanolin
First, let's talk about what lanolin is. Lanolin is a by-product extracted from the sebum (oil) on sheep's wool after it's sheared. That sounds like it's super natural and should be safe, right? That's what I used to think.
One of the problems is that sheep are commonly treated with pesticides and insecticides because they're susceptible to pests. A Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study published in September 1992 discovered lanolin samples they tested contained several types of pesticide residues. Some of the types of pesticides they found can accumulate in breast milk.
Lanolin can also cause allergic reactions and even poisoning if too much is ingested. For me, it's scary to think I was rubbing a pesticide laden ointment onto my breasts and then feeding my baby believing it was safe for her to ingest, when in reality it isn't.
Not only is it not safe but, as I mentioned previously, it didn't even work for me. There are some studies that have shown it is no more effective than leaving the breasts alone or rubbing expressed milk or olive oil on them. Another study showed the application of lanolin might even extend the healing time.
So you might be sitting there thinking, “Great, what am I supposed to use now?” I know that's what I would have been thinking when I was using it!
What to Use Instead of Lanolin
There is one product I highly recommend: Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter. It is the only Non-GMO Project Verified nipple butter and is Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.
The ingredients have lots of nourishing and healing properties:
You don't have to remove it before breastfeeding because the ingredients are so safe and natural. It's rated a 0 in the EWG database – a huge plus for me!
The consistency is very nice too. It's not greasy and absorbs well, but is very moisturizing and nourishing to the skin.
And if you are afraid you'd never use a whole tin breastfeeding, it has a variety of alternative uses too!
Breast pump lube
Cover and protect scrapes and abrasions
Chapped lips, nose and cheeks
Dry cuticles
Minor rashes
Backup diaper cream
I have even put it on the eczema on my hands and it feels very nice. I wish I would have known about Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter when I was breastfeeding.
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