The effectiveness of polymeric membrane dressing breast pads vs. lanolin ointment in relieving breastfeeding-induced nipple pain among postpartum women: A quasi-randomised clinical trial

Aim: This study compared the effectiveness of polymeric membrane breast pads compared to lanolin ointment for the management of painful, damaged nipples associated with breastfeeding. Methods: We conducted a prospective quasi-randomised, 2-arm, open trial among breastfeeding women with painful traumatised nipples (N=104) who were assigned to either the polymeric membrane breast pads (n=52) or lanolin ointment (n=52) based on the natural arrival sequence, with mothers alternatively assigned to groups. The primary outcome measure was breastfeeding-associated nipple pain, which was measured at the first encounter and at the post-intervention time points of 4 hours, 24 hours, and 3 days. Another outcome measure was wound stages that were measured at the first encounter and at the post-intervention time point of 3 days. Key findings: Within groups, decreases in the worst pain ratings were observed for the last breastfeeding session and the past 24 hours along 0, 4, 24 hours, and day 3 in both groups. Between groups, a difference was observed in the worst pain reported for the last breastfeeding session at day 3, with lower pain reported in the lanolin group. No differences were observed between the groups concerning proportions of wound stages, both pre-and post-treatment. Conclusions: The study suggests use of the polymeric membrane breast pads was comparable with lanolin ointment and could be effective in the management of nipple pain associated with breastfeeding.