Q What do breasts and sheep have in common?
A Lanolin.
That is if you are breast feeding your little one and using one of the many nipple care products containing lanolin.
Lanolin is commonly used by women to prevent chaffed and cracked nipples while they are breastfeeding.
After learning the hard (and painful) way with my first baby, I, after a process of trial and use/error, finally found my preferred lanolin product (There are many nipple creams and pure lanolin products out there.). The lanolin brand that I prefer is Medela's Tender Care. Its consistency is smooth and soft unlike so many of the other brands, thus making it easier to apply. With one other popular brand, I found that straight out of the tube the ointment was thick, sticky and tacky in consistency and almost had to be warmed up in order to apply ( an extra step a nursing mom doesn't need to add to her all ready hectic regimen).
While I am still breast feeding our youngest, I realize now that lanolin will continue to have a place in our household even after I am no longer nursing.
Now - back to the sheep! You may be asking "OK, get on with it. What do sheep have to do with all of this?" Well, Lanolin is a mixture of wool fat and water, it is derived from the sheep's oil glands.
Lanolin is found to be very similar to the oils secreted by human skin. It protects the skin while allowing in air and letting your skin breathe. It has healing abilities largely because it:
- has antibacterial properties
- is water repellent, and it
- seals in moisture
So next time consider reaching for a tube of lanolin for those chapped lips, that little scrape, or that irritating pimple!
But for now, if you are nursing, DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT, take your ladies forgranted, take care of them and lanolinate them!
Do you have a favourite lanolin product? If so tell me, share with your comments!
Photo courtesy of Nicholas Tarling
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=129
