CRACKED BLEEDING NIPPLES: WHEN LANOLIN ISN'T ENOUGH
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CRACKED BLEEDING NIPPLES: WHEN LANOLIN ISN'T ENOUGH
It's 2am. Your baby needs feeding. You're sitting in the dark, dreading the latch.
The toe-curling pain. The crack that won't heal. The blood you see when she unlatches. The way you hold your breath and count to ten, waiting for the pain to pass so the milk can let down.
You've tried lanolin. You slather it on after every feed. It's sticky and thick and takes ages to come off your bra. But it's not working. The cracks aren't healing. The pain isn't stopping.
Your midwife said: "Use lanolin, it'll get better."
Your mother-in-law said: "Toughen up, we all went through it."
Your lactation consultant said: "Fix the latch."
Everyone's advice assumes the problem will just... resolve. But it's been two weeks. Or four weeks. Or eight weeks. And you're starting to think about stopping.
Here's what nobody told you: lanolin is just a barrier. It doesn't heal. And if your nipples aren't healing, you need more than a barrier.
This guide is for the mother who's done everything "right" and is still in agony. Who's googling "cracked nipples won't heal" at 3am while feeding. Who's wondering if she's doing something wrong or if her body is broken.
You're not broken. You just need a different approach.
Why Your Nipples Are Cracked (And Why It's Not Your Fault)
The Real Cause: It's Almost Always the Latch
Here's the uncomfortable truth: If your nipples are cracked and bleeding, the latch isn't quite right.
This doesn't mean:
- You're doing it wrong
- You're a bad mother
- You should give up
- Your baby is "wrong"
It means:
- Your baby's mouth position needs adjusting
- Your positioning might need tweaking
- Your baby might have tongue tie, lip tie, or high palate
- Your nipples are flatter/longer/shorter than "average" and need different positioning
The latch issue creates the damage. But here's why it's not healing:
- Constant trauma - You're feeding every 2-3 hours. The crack never gets to rest.
- Moisture - Nipples are constantly wet from milk, saliva, and leaking.
- Bacterial exposure - Baby's mouth has bacteria. Open wound + bacteria = slow healing.
- Wrong treatment - Lanolin provides a barrier but doesn't actively heal.
You need to fix the latch AND heal the damage. Most people only do one.
The Lanolin Problem: Why It's Not Enough
Lanolin (Lansinoh, Medela, etc.) is marketed as the gold standard for cracked nipples.
What lanolin does:
✓ Creates occlusive barrier (locks in moisture)
✓ Prevents friction during feeding
✓ Is safe if baby ingests it
What lanolin DOESN'T do:
❌ Reduce inflammation
❌ Speed wound healing
❌ Deliver anti-bacterial properties
❌ Address underlying tissue damage
❌ Prevent infection
Lanolin is wool grease. It's an occlusive emollient. It sits on top of your skin and stops it from drying out.
That's useful. But if your nipple has a crack, blister, or open wound, you don't just need protection from drying out. You need:
- Anti-inflammatory action (reduce swelling and pain)
- Antimicrobial protection (prevent infection)
- Active wound healing (speed tissue repair)
- Barrier protection (yes, but as part of healing, not instead of it)
Lanolin does ONE of those things. You need all four.
When Lanolin Actually Makes Things Worse
Lanolin can trap moisture and bacteria in damaged tissue.
If you have:
- Deep cracks - Lanolin seals them shut without healing them
- Nipple thrush - Lanolin creates warm, moist environment (fungus loves this)
- Bacterial infection - Occlusive barrier traps bacteria
- Nipple blebs/blisters - Lanolin prevents them from draining
You end up with:
- Wounds that won't close
- Persistent pain despite "doing everything right"
- Secondary infections
- Mastitis (in worst cases)
This isn't lanolin being "bad." It's lanolin being insufficient for actual damage.
What Your Nipples Actually Need to Heal
1. Inflammation Control
Your nipples are inflamed and swollen from repeated trauma.
Inflamed tissue:
- Hurts more
- Heals slower
- Is more prone to infection
- Cracks more easily
You need anti-inflammatory ingredients that reduce swelling and calm the tissue.
2. Antimicrobial Protection
Your baby's mouth contains bacteria (normal and healthy for them, problematic for open wounds on you).
Every feed reintroduces:
- Saliva
- Oral bacteria
- Milk residue (which bacteria feed on)
You need antimicrobial ingredients that prevent infection without being harsh enough to harm baby.
3. Active Wound Healing
Cracks, blisters, and abrasions need to close and regenerate skin.
This requires:
- Ingredients that speed epithelialisation (new skin formation)
- Nutrients that support collagen production
- Protection while new tissue forms
You need healing ingredients, not just a barrier.
4. Breathable Barrier
Yes, you still need a barrier. But not an occlusive one that traps everything.
You need:
- Protection from friction during feeds
- Prevention of moisture loss between feeds
- Ability for skin to breathe (not suffocate under thick grease)
Lanolin does #4 (sort of). You need #1-4 together.
What Actually Works: The Complete Healing Protocol
STEP 1: Fix the Latch (Non-Negotiable)
Even the best healing balm won't work if you're re-damaging the tissue every 2 hours.
See a qualified lactation consultant (IBCLC) who will:
- Watch a full feed
- Check baby's mouth (tongue tie, lip tie, palate)
- Assess your breast shape and nipple type
- Adjust positioning
- Give you specific techniques for YOUR anatomy
Common latch fixes:
- Deeper latch (more areola in mouth)
- Different hold (football, cradle, laid-back)
- Breaking suction before removing baby
- Nipple shield (temporary solution while healing)
Red flags that you MUST see lactation consultant:
- Lipstick-shaped nipple after feeding
- Clicking sound during feeding
- Baby constantly losing latch
- Pain throughout entire feed (not just first 30 seconds)
- Blood in expressed milk
If you can't afford private IBCLC: Ring Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline (1800 686 268). Free phone support from trained counsellors.
STEP 2: Stop Using Just Lanolin
Switch to active healing, not just barrier protection.
This is where NOOKS changes everything.
Unlike lanolin (just occlusive) or nipple creams with petroleum (same problem), NOOKS was formulated for damaged mucous membranes with these exact requirements:
✓ Anti-inflammatory botanicals (calendula, marshmallow root, bisabolol)
✓ Antimicrobial ingredients (manuka oil, monolaurin)
✓ Wound healing accelerators (plantain leaf)
✓ Breathable barrier (beeswax + plant oils, not petroleum)
✓ Food-grade safe (literally edible - you do NOT need to wash it off before feeding)
The food-grade safety is huge. With lanolin, you're supposed to wipe it off before feeding (who has time for that at 2am?). With NOOKS, you don't. Baby ingests tiny amount = zero problem.
How to use:
- After every feed, express a little milk onto nipple (breast milk has healing properties)
- Let air dry for 5-10 minutes (genuinely - this helps)
- Apply small amount of NOOKS to damaged area
- Let absorb (2-3 minutes)
- Put breast pad or soft bra back on
- Feed whenever baby needs - no need to wash off
Most mothers see:
- Reduced pain within 24-48 hours
- Cracks starting to close within 3-5 days
- Significant healing within 1-2 weeks
- Full healing within 2-3 weeks (depending on severity)
Get NOOKS → — $29.95 | 60g lasts 3+ months
Real talk: One tin lasts months because you need tiny amounts. That's $29.95 vs buying multiple tubes of lanolin that aren't even working.
STEP 3: Let Them Breathe
Between feeds, take your bra off.
I know. You're leaking. It's uncomfortable. But trapped moisture prevents healing.
What to do:
- Go topless at home when possible
- Use breast shells (not pads) to keep fabric off nipples while allowing air flow
- Change breast pads after every feed (damp pads = bacterial breeding ground)
- Sleep topless with towel under you (fuck it, you're already doing laundry constantly)
Air exposure for even 30 minutes between feeds makes a massive difference.
STEP 4: Manage the Pain
You're allowed to take pain relief. You're not being weak. You're managing a legitimate injury.
Safe while breastfeeding:
- Paracetamol (regular strength, follow packet instructions)
- Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory, helps with tissue swelling)
Before particularly painful feeds:
- Ice pack wrapped in cloth (30 seconds on nipple immediately before latch)
- Numbs area without affecting milk flow
- Or try warm compress (some women find this better)
During feeds:
- Deep breathing
- Distraction (podcast, Netflix, scrolling phone - whatever works)
- Feed from less damaged side first (or pump that side and bottle feed while other heals)
STEP 5: Watch for Complications
Sometimes cracked nipples develop secondary problems that need different treatment.
Signs you have nipple thrush (fungal infection):
- Burning, stabbing pain BETWEEN feeds (not just during)
- Shiny, flaky, or itchy nipples
- Deep pink color
- Pain shooting into breast during/after feeds
- White patches in baby's mouth
What to do: See GP. You need antifungal (for you AND baby). Continue NOOKS alongside antifungal treatment.
Signs of bacterial infection:
- Increasing redness spreading beyond nipple
- Heat, swelling
- Yellow/green discharge
- Fever
- Red streaks on breast
What to do: See GP immediately. You need antibiotics. This can become mastitis quickly.
Signs of vasospasm (blood vessel spasm):
- Nipple turns white then purple/blue then red after feeding
- Severe burning pain
- Feels worse in cold
What to do: See GP. May need medication. Keep nipples very warm between feeds. NOOKS helps by improving circulation.
The Latch Myths That Keep You Suffering
MYTH: "Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt"
TRUTH: Initial latch shouldn't be excruciating. But those first 2-3 weeks while your nipples adjust? Some tenderness is normal.
What's NOT normal:
- Toe-curling, breath-holding, counting-down-the-seconds pain
- Pain throughout entire feed
- Bleeding, cracking, blistering
- Dreading feeds
If you're experiencing the "NOT normal" list, the latch needs fixing + you need healing treatment.
MYTH: "Just push through, it gets better"
TRUTH: If the latch is wrong, it doesn't get better. It gets worse. Your nipples develop deeper cracks, scar tissue, and trauma response.
"Pushing through" without fixing the underlying cause leads to:
- Chronic damage that takes months to heal
- Supply issues (pain inhibits let-down)
- Premature weaning
- Breastfeeding trauma/PTSD
You're not weak for wanting pain relief. You're smart for addressing the problem.
MYTH: "Lanolin is all you need"
TRUTH: Lanolin is a starting point. For minor irritation and prevention, it's fine. For actual wounds, it's insufficient.
Think of it like this:
- Lanolin = bandaid
- NOOKS = antiseptic + healing ointment + bandaid
Both protect. Only one heals.
When to Stop Breastfeeding (And When Not To)
Reasons to take a break or stop:
✓ You've seen IBCLC, fixed latch, used proper treatment for 2-3 weeks and still in severe pain
✓ You have untreated tongue tie/lip tie and surgery is scheduled (pump until surgery + healing)
✓ You have mastitis requiring antibiotics and rest
✓ Your mental health is severely suffering
✓ You simply don't want to anymore
Taking a break doesn't mean you failed. It means you're protecting your wellbeing.
Options:
- Pump and bottle feed while nipples heal
- Feed from one side, pump the other
- Supplement with formula while you heal
- Exclusive pumping
- Switching to formula entirely
All of these are valid. Fed is best. Your mental health matters.
Reasons NOT to stop (yet):
❌ You haven't seen an IBCLC (GP/midwife advice isn't enough)
❌ You've only tried lanolin and nothing else
❌ Someone is pressuring you to stop
❌ You assume this is "normal" and you just have to suffer
If you WANT to continue breastfeeding but the pain is unbearable, get proper help before deciding.
Many mothers are told "some pain is normal" when they actually have fixable latch issues or tongue tie. Once resolved, breastfeeding becomes comfortable.
My Story: Six Weeks of Hell
Week 1: Initial soreness. Midwife said "it's normal, use lanolin." Did that.
Week 2: Cracking started. Blood on breast pads. Midwife checked latch, said "looks fine, keep using lanolin." Did that.
Week 3: Deep crack on right nipple. I'd cry when she latched. Started dreading feeds. Using nipple shield. Slathering lanolin after every feed. Not healing.
Week 4: Saw lactation consultant. She spotted shallow latch immediately. Adjusted positioning. Better, but damage already done. Kept using lanolin. Still not healing.
Week 5: Developed nipple thrush (because the crack wasn't healing and became infected). Burning pain between feeds. GP prescribed antifungal. Had to treat baby too. Still using lanolin. Thrush cleared but crack still there.
Week 6: Found NOOKS (was using it for my own eczema). Thought "fuck it, it's food-grade, what's the worst that can happen?"
Applied it after feeds instead of lanolin.
48 hours later: Pain noticeably less. Crack looked less angry.
5 days later: Crack visibly closing. No bleeding.
10 days later: Mostly healed. Still some sensitivity but no open wound.
2 weeks later: Fully healed. Breastfeeding finally comfortable.
What I learned:
- The latch WAS wrong (but midwife missed it - not all healthcare providers are trained in lactation)
- Lanolin protected but didn't heal (kept crack from getting worse, didn't make it better)
- Active healing ingredients work faster (anti-inflammatory + antimicrobial + wound healing vs just barrier)
- I nearly gave up at week 5 (was researching formula, planning to stop)
If I'd had proper lactation support + proper healing treatment from week 1, I'd have been comfortable by week 3.
Instead, I suffered for 6 weeks.
You don't have to.
THE 2AM ACTION PLAN
If you're reading this while feeding, in pain, wondering if you can do this:
TONIGHT (Right now):
After this feed:
- Express a little breast milk onto nipple
- Let air dry (5 minutes - watch something, doom scroll, whatever)
- Apply whatever you have (lanolin, NOOKS, even plain coconut oil if desperate)
- Take pain relief if needed (paracetamol/ibuprofen)
- Get through to morning
You can do one more feed. Just one. That's all you need to think about.
TOMORROW:
Book appointments:
-
IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) - Not GP, not midwife, actual specialist
- Google "IBCLC near me" or call Australian Breastfeeding Association (1800 686 268)
- If you can't afford private: ABA phone counselling is free
- GP if: You have signs of thrush or infection (see Step 5 above)
Order or buy:
- NOOKS (for actual healing, not just barrier)
- Breast shells (not pads - allow air flow)
- Pain relief (paracetamol + ibuprofen)
- Nipple shields (temporary crutch while healing - but work on latch)
THIS WEEK:
Healing protocol:
- See IBCLC, get latch assessed and fixed
- Switch from lanolin to NOOKS after every feed
- Let nipples air dry before applying anything
- Take bra off between feeds when home
- Change breast pads after every feed
- Take pain relief before particularly painful feeds
Mental health:
- It's okay to cry
- It's okay to hate this
- It's okay to want to quit
- It's okay to actually quit
- It's okay to keep going
- Whatever you're feeling is valid
WEEK 2-3:
- Continue healing protocol
- You should see improvement by day 3-5
- If not improving: go back to IBCLC or see different one
- Consider pumping one side while other heals
- Don't suffer in silence - reach out for support
QUICK REFERENCE COMPARISON
| Treatment | Lanolin | NOOKS |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-inflammatory | ✗ | ✓ |
| Antimicrobial | ✗ | ✓ (manuka oil, monolaurin) |
| Speeds healing | ✗ | ✓ (calendula, plantain leaf) |
| Food-grade safe | ✓ | ✓ |
| Need to wash off before feed | Recommended | No |
| Works for thrush | ✗ | ✓ (alongside antifungal) |
| Breathable | ✗ (occlusive) | ✓ |
| Texture | Sticky, thick | Soft, absorbs quickly |
| Best for | Prevention, minor irritation | Active wounds, cracks, damage |
YOU'RE NOT FAILING
If breastfeeding hurts, one or more of these is true:
- The latch needs adjusting
- There's anatomical issue (tie, palate, nipple shape)
- You have complication (thrush, infection, vasospasm)
- You're not using the right healing treatment
None of these mean you're doing it wrong.
Society tells new mothers:
- Breastfeeding is "natural" (it is, but it's also a learned skill)
- It shouldn't hurt (initial adjustment can, severe pain means something's wrong)
- Use lanolin and push through (insufficient advice)
- Everyone can do it if they just try hard enough (bullshit)
The truth:
- Some mothers need more support than others
- Some babies have anatomical challenges
- Some nipples are more prone to damage
- Pain doesn't mean you're weak
- Getting help doesn't mean you failed
- Stopping doesn't make you a bad mother
Cracked, bleeding nipples aren't a rite of passage. They're an injury that deserves proper treatment.
NEED FOOD-GRADE NIPPLE HEALING?
NOOKS Universal Balm — Designed for damaged mucous membranes. Safe for baby. Actually heals.
✓ Anti-inflammatory botanicals (calendula, marshmallow root)
✓ Antimicrobial ingredients (manuka oil, monolaurin)
✓ Wound healing accelerators (plantain leaf)
✓ Food-grade safe (no need to wash off before feeding)
✓ Works alongside latch correction for faster healing
✓ Can be used for thrush, vasospasm, and general damage
$29.95 | 60g lasts 3+ months
One tin will get you through the entire healing period and beyond.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This article is based on personal experience and general information, not professional medical advice. Nipple pain and damage can have multiple causes, some requiring medical treatment.
If you're experiencing severe pain, signs of infection, fever, or other concerning symptoms, consult your GP or lactation consultant immediately. Mastitis can develop quickly and requires prompt medical attention.
The author is not a lactation consultant or medical professional. This content should not replace professional lactation support or medical diagnosis, particularly for complications like tongue tie, thrush, or infection.
Always work with a qualified IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) to address latch issues and anatomical concerns.