How to Help Cracked, Tender and Sore Nipples

Commentary: 

In the study cited below, 300 lactating women were divided into two groups of 150 women each. Group 1 applied Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the nipples after nursing and Group 2 applied breastmilk to the nipples after nursing. The goal was to evaluate the efficacy of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the prevention and potential treatment of Cracked Nipples, Tender Nipples and/or Sore Nipples. As, we have written about previously, Sore, Cracked and Tender Nipples are the number one reason Mother's quit nursing. So, a prophylactic, natural treatment is critical for nursing success. 

The results of the study are quite compelling. What the investigators discovered was a 97.3% efficacy of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the prevention of cracked nipples. A high prevention rate allows mothers to continue nursing full-time; sustaining milk supply and potentially increasing the health of the child. 

We further postulate that the phenolics in Extra Virgin Olive Oil played a leading role in the success of applying Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the cracked nipples. The phenolic compounds are responsible for many of the desired effects in a potent nipple cream/oil. Such as anti-inflammatory to reduce the tenderness and soreness of the nipples experienced while nursing. Secoiridoids that help the triglycerides and squalene penetrate deep into the skin giving moisture where it is needed most and anti-bacterial properties that help stave off infections and puss. 

All in all, what we take away from this study is that extremely high phenolic extra virgin olive oil (like SUPER-OLI) is the best natural nipple ointment/oil available. 

TITLE:

Application of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to Prevent Nipple Cracking in Lactating Women.

AUTHOR INFO:

Cordero MJ¹, Villar NM², Barrilao RG³, Cortés ME⁴, López AM¹.

1 Research Group CTS 367, Andalusia, Spain, and Nursing Department, University of Granada, Spain. 2 Research Group CTS 367, Andalusia, Spain, and University of Medical Sciences, Cienfuegos, Cuba. 3 Nursing Department, University of Granada, Spain. 4 Mathematical Sciences, University of Technical Sciences, Cienfuegos, Cuba.

BACKGROUND:

It is well established that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), applied to the skin, has healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

AIM:

To evaluate the effectiveness of EVOO in the prevention of nipple cracking in lactating women.

METHODS:

Experimental, prospective, randomized study of 300 lactating women, admitted to the postpartum unit of the city's general hospital (Cienfuegos, Cuba). The study was carried out in 2012. Eligible patients were randomized into two groups of 150 women. In Group 1, EVOO was applied on the nipple after feeding, and in Group 2, drops of breast milk were applied to the nipple after feeding. Clinical evaluations were made during the first week of treatment and after the first month. All women who initiated breastfeeding were considered eligible to be included in this study; breastfeeding was characterized as the moment of mother-child interaction with suction on the nipple. Efficacy was evaluated quantitatively, as the absence of cracks in the nipple during the first 2 weeks of lactation using as the proportion of women with or without nipple cracks, and if present, whether they were moderate or slight.

RESULTS:

The quantitative efficacy was 97.3% and no adverse effects occurred in mothers and newborns during the administration of EVOO.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

EVOO helps prevent nipple cracking in lactating women. It has been shown to have protective effects when breastfeeding presents technical difficulties. This conclusion is borne out by the frequency distribution results obtained, which reflect a significantly higher proportion of nipple cracking in the population that was not treated with EVOO.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION:

Use EVOO to prevent nipple cracking during breastfeeding by administering 3 drops on each nipple after each feeding. Decreased nipple cracking will reduce pain and enhance breastfeedinging by administering 3 drops on each nipple after each feeding, improving the health of mothers and infants.