vegan breastfeeding questions...

[Teejay]

What do vegans use for cracked nipple problems when breastfeeding? I have been vegan for seven years but I wasn't vegan when I had my first child. Now I am due in nearly seven weeks & want to be prepared as the pain was terrible last time until it healed.

Where I come from, people tend to use lanolin. I used something called paw paw ointment, but I don't know whether it had some animal fats in it (I thought at the time it was only fruit-based, but now being vegan I know how often apparently animal-free products are not really.

Anyone know where to get a suitable ointment that really is vegan and won't put the baby off nursing by its smell/taste?

[Erin Pavlina]

That's a good question. When I breastfed I never had cracked nipples (thank God!). Try prevention first. Make sure you never breastfeed the child if he/she is not properly latched on.

I would ask your question to the people at PETA. I think they can probably help you.

[sophie]

Hi Teejay
I also suffered from cracked nipples when breastfeeding my two children, for about 2 weeks until they toughened up (the nipples, not the kids:p ), and I guess I'll be going through it again next time as "preparing" my nipples sort of sends shivers down my spine.
Are the "Weleda" products available where you are? They are made using biodynamic recipes, and I used a calendula cream that was pure and animal free. Calendula is very soothing, so any natural product that contains it may help. However, you should wash it off before feeding your baby. Also I found a recipe that uses 1 teaspoon of pure aloe vera and one drop of camomile oil blended together. Again, rinse off before feeding.
Hope you can find something suitable.

[Teejay]

Thank you both -- that's really helpful.

[Teejay]

I located a Weleda calendula cream but unfortunately it contains both beeswax and lanolin. Do you know what specific Weleda cream it was that was vegan? I am still looking around... still hopeful there is plenty of time!

Thanks!

[sophie]

Hi teejay
The one I had was made in New Zealand... the ingredients of the German(?) one must be different, sorry! I can't even specifically remember the name of it as I had it 4 years ago. Have you looked for a plain calendula cream in a health shop? Or if you could be bothered you could make a calendula tincture and add it to a pure oil , then keep in the frdge so the oil (eg olive) would solidify. My sister did this once, and it worked well.

[5xblessed]

I definitely agree with prevention. If it hurts take the baby off and relatch them until it's right. If you do end up needing something I suggest olive oil. I had to pump for one of my kids and the pump made me more sore than any baby. This is what the lactation consultant recommended. Just a little will do. Hope you don't need it.
Lisa

[Teejay]

Thanks, people -- before reading this, I'd been talking it through with my husband and we were wondering whether olive oil wouldn't do the trick! -- it's so good for just about everything.

My problem too was not about latching on but about being very sensitive-skinned and fair -- same as you, Katharina. In fact, my daughter has inherited this skin and reacts to just about everything (just as well she's a vegan, as the worst reactions according to her doctor years ago would come in her case from dairy, wool and soap -- she has never had trouble with vegan soap, though.)

I will probably still keep an eye out for a calendula cream but in the meantime, organic olive oil sounds like a great idea.

[soon2bveg]

Most of the LLL info in the Breastfeeding Answer Book says what's been said here... find the problem and fix it... it might be poor latch-on or suck. Could your baby be tounge tied?

Second, the book talks about healing the cracked nipples through moist wound healing which means keeping the breast "internally moist" by using Lansinoh.

However, another section goes on to say,
"An alternative to creams and ointments is the mother's own milk, which has antibacterial properties. One study (Akkuzu and Taskin 2000) found that women who applied expressed milk to their nipples after feedings had a significantly shorter duration of cracked nipples than the mothers who dried their nipples after feedings... encourage her to express a few drops of her milk after the baby has finished nursing and rub it gently into the skin, allowing her nipples to air dry afterwards. In many cultures, skin irritations are commonly treated with human milk."

Hope that helps! I did this regularly when Elizabeth was newborn and it really helped. A doctor recently told a friend that breastmilk would be the perfect treatment for pink eye too! So, never hurts to bank some!

Cheers! -Carla

[purpleelephant]

Hi there!
It never happened to me but someone I know swore by fresh cabbage leaves! You just insert it in your bra and walk around with it in!!!! Its very soothing so they say!!! Worth a try I suppose!!
Mandy
XXXXXX

[SaraLou]

I had terrible mastitis during the early weeks of breastfeeding my son. I swear the pain was worse than labour even though I never had any pain-relief! The problem was to do with latching on but I could never get him latched on properly no matter how many times I took him off and started again. My midwife couldn't understand it as she knew I had successfully breastfed my daughter and after much consultation at the medical practice it was suggested that my son have a particularly tiny mouth. This, coupled with a touch of engourgment (due to the continuous stopping and starting of feeds) made it almost impossiblefor the wee lad to latch on. This all made sense and seemed to be proven by the fact that it gradually got better as he grew. I very nearly gave up on the breastfeeding because the pain was terrible but I'm a determined type and battled through. What I wanted to do, rather than launch into my breastfeeding history!, was back up the CABBAGE suggestion. I used it and it was marvelous. You need a green cabbage, the darker the better and keep it in the fridge so that it's lovely and cool. It's even naturally bra shaped. How convienient!
Also, your own breast milk does have wonderful antiseptic properties and is all i used when I had cracked nipples the first time round when feeding my daughter. I have also used it on my children's faces when they've scratched themselves. It never occurred to me to use olive oil. I must be too much of a masochist or something! Sounds good though.
Hope I've helped banish those sore-nipple fears!

[lunamama3]

hey there!

just wanted to commend you for giving your baby your milk! i know it seems silly to say, but i firmly believe that if every baby received it's birthright, the world would be a better place! (maybe if dubya had gotten some milk, we'd be outta this mess...too optimistic?!) anyhow...about the cracked nipples, i've successfully used my own milk to heal several infections in my kiddos (and myself-dry skin patches, etc.) and would urge you to try it to! it can make even the always breastfed toddler raise an eyebrow, but milk in the eye, ear or anywhere else has amazing healing properties! give it a try! i like the olive oil idea too, btw...

much love,
vegan mama to 3...
lisa