effect of lanoline versus breast milk on traumatic nipples for lactating mother

Sore nipples are common during lactation and remain the major reason for failing to establish successful breastfeeding. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of lanolin versus breast milk on traumatic nipples for lactating mother. Intervention study was used at the postnatal unit of Ain Shams Maternity University Hospital through purposive technique, 100 women were included in the study, and were subjected to the following criteria: breastfed with painful & damaged nipples during first three month after childbirth, different types of delivery, different parity, medically diagnosed for damaged nipples, healthy women (free from medical disease), and have healthy infant. Data were collected through three tools: Tool 1: A Structured interview sheet was developed to collect the mother's data and knowledge. Tool 2: Visual Analogue Scale was conducted to assess degree of  nipple pain pre& post intervention.. Tool 3:  The Nipple Trauma Score (NTS) was conducted to assess degree of traumatic nipple pre& post intervention in addition to Arabic educational leaflet. Results of the study illustrated that  all mothers suffered from different degrees of nipple trauma, the majority of mothers have poor knowledge about   breastfeeding practice &measures regarding to traumatic nipple, all  mothers hadn't any reaction toward nipple trauma in the first days of delivery.There is equal effect of both lanolin& breast milk to relieve nipple pain &trauma. The study concluded that the use of lanolin or breast milkcombined with instruction related to breast feeding& measures to relieve nipple trauma could have some beneficial effects in the treatment of traumatic nipple. Recommendations: Counseling program should be developed for women during pregnancy &immediate postpartum period about prevention and treatment of traumatic nipple. Further studies are still needed to assess the effect of  breast  feeding position on the occurrence of  nipple trauma.