The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of lanolin for the treatment of painful/damaged nipples among breastfeeding women, and to evaluate if the use of lanolin has an effect on breastfeeding outcomes such as duration and exclusivity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
186
Pea-sized amount of lanolin applied to each nipple after every breastfeeding session (approximately 8-12 times daily) until complete resolution of nipple pain and damage for a maximum of 7 days.
Women randomized to standard care will not receive lanolin or information regarding how to use lanolin. In-hospital standard care may include any of the following pain management measures at the recommendation / discretion of the participant's health care provider, or based on the patient's personal preference: analgesics (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen); application of cold or warm compresses; application of ice packs; use of breast shields; air drying the nipples; or applying expressed breast milk.
Postpartum Unit St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Nipple pain severity
Measured with a 10-point numeric rating scale (NRS)
Time frame: 4 days post randomization
Breastfeeding duration
Measured by asking women the last time their infant was breastfed. Breastfeeding duration will be calculated as the difference between the infant's date of birth, and the last day (date) the infant was breastfed.
Time frame: 4 and 12 weeks postpartum
Breastfeeding exclusivity
Measured with Labbok \& Krasovek's framework for breastfeeding definition (Studies in Family Planning, 1990;21(4),226-230)
Time frame: 4 and 12 weeks postpartum
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