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Dear all,
Totally agree with all
postings regarding hind milk being best treatment for cracked nipples and that
major cause is incorrect attachment. However there can be other causes such as
thrush or dermatitis that can also cause sore painful nipples and sometimes a
cream may be needed for healing. I personally see no problem in prescribing
creams provided clear written instructions are given. On occasions I see
lactating mothers with severely cracked nipples that have not responded to
healing with hind milk and who have seen lactation consultants re attachment.
Sometimes due to sensitive skin the tissue can be slow to heal. In these
instances I make an ointment using a base of pure vitamin E cream (available
from Mediherb in Warwick QLD) that contains no petroleum products. To this I add
calendula and golden seal tincture and a teaspoonful of comfrey cream (also
available from Mediherb) and a few drops of rescue remedy. Generally I use 3
parts vitamin E to 1 part herbs. I blend this together in a sterile container
and dispense into a 50g jar. This can be applied between feeds and washed off
before baby feeds again. Complete healing usually occurs within 3 - 7 days.
Calendula is antiseptic, golden seal is antimicrobial and antibacterial. Both
have a high betacarotene content which assists tissue healing. Comfrey is a
rapid tissue healer because it is a cell proliferent. It is definitely not
recommended for internal use so I stress the importance of washing off the cream
before baby feeds and to always wash hands before dipping into the container or
to use a sterile applicator. I am aware that the use of creams is not within
recommended guidelines but when other methods fail this formula is brilliant.
The vitamin E will also assist healing. I remember one mother who
breastfed 4 young children in succession who had a cracked nipple for years (the
endurance of women never ceases to amaze me) and she rang me to say the cream
healed her breast within 5 days. I would not advise the use of over-the-counter
calenda ointments etc because they are often in a petroleum base.
Deborah Cooper ND.;Dip Herb
Med;Dip.Rem.Mass
Author/Naturopath/Herbalist/Nutrition/Massage/Birth Support |
