Effects of Anhydrous Lanolin versus Breast Milk Combined with a Breast Shell for the Treatment of Nipple Trauma and Pain During Breastfeeding: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of anhydrous lanolin with the effect of breast milk combined with a breast shell for treatment of nipple trauma and pain during breastfeeding.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in a maternity ward in a hospital accredited as a Baby-Friendly Hospital located in the middle-western region of Brazil. Breastfeeding women with obvious nipple trauma were randomized into 2 groups. In both groups, breastfeeding education was conducted. For up to 10 days, in Group 1, anhydrous lanolin was applied daily after each breastfeeding session, whereas in Group 2, breast milk combined with a breast shell was applied. Trauma was assessed using the Nipple Trauma Score, and pain was assessed using a numerical scale and sensory descriptors from the McGill Questionnaire.

Results: One hundred women participated, with 50 women in each of the 2 groups. The healing of nipple trauma was faster in the group treated with breast milk combined with a breast shell, starting on the third day of intervention (P = .032). The intensity of pain was lower in the group treated with breast milk combined with a breast shell starting on the fifth day of treatment (P = .008). The use of anhydrous lanolin had a progressively reduced treatment efficacy, with values of 86.4% on the third day (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.5%-98.2%), 58.3% on the fifth day (95% CI, 20.1%-78.3%), 48.1% on the seventh day (95% CI, 20.1%-66.2%), and 26.9.% on the tenth day (95% CI, 6.4%-43%) of intervention. The resolution of nipple trauma was significantly associated with the use of the nipple shell on all intervention days.

Discussion: The intervention with breast milk combined with a breast shell was more effective than anhydrous lanolin for the treatment of nipple trauma and pain in breastfeeding women. This treatment should be encouraged among breastfeeding women to promote healing and reduce pain.