Not For These Babies!
Written: Sep 03 '01 (Updated Sep 03 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Smell, the tube is pretty.
Cons: Didn't work, greasy, stained my bra, contains a possible allergen
The Bottom Line: It's not worth the cost to buy this greasy waxy stuff that doesn't work.
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| fallyn96's Full Review: Lansinoh For Breastfeeding Mothers |
I was seven months pregnant when I discovered a mailing list for women due around the same time as me. When I first joined, I was a little confused as to what was going on in the list, but I do remember one conversation clearly.
Some of the ladies had already started taking breast feeding classes, while others had nursed previous children. They were all raving about this product that they saw as an absolute must have for breast feeding mothers- Lansinoh For Breast Feeding Mothers. In fact, they were all talking about snagging as many samples as possible from their classes, since this stuff is so expensive. Curious, I asked a few questions on the product, things like what it was used for, whether it really worked, and most importantly- how much did it cost?
What A Descriptive Name!
When I look at the name of this product, I'm a bit confused as to what it is, and what it does. I would think that any new mom would be. When I first heard it, or actually read it, I thought that it might be a breast pump, or maybe nursing pads. It could also have been a pillow like a Boppy pillow (another rave from my March mommies list), or maybe it was something else. I had to ask what it was, and what it did.
To use it, you basically take a small amount (you don't need much),and rub it over your nipple and areola (the part around the nipple). What it is supposed to do is relieve pain associated with cracked nipples. The directions state that you are supposed to use this after each feeding.
The Concept
I have to say that the concept is good. I had purchased a tube at my nearby Wal-mart for around eight dollars (for an itty bitty tube- diaper rash ointment is cheaper than this!), but was given a tube of generic Lanolin Hydrous while in the hospital with my son. I tried both- and wasn't happy with the results from my expensive tube of Lanisnoh.
Lanisnoh contains one hundred percent Lansinoh. What is Lansinoh? It's 'USP modified Lanolin, ultrapure medical grade'*. What is Lanolin? Be prepared to be disgusted... Lanolin comes from sheep. It's wool fat or wool grease (told you it was disgusting), and it is often refined and made into other products. "Lanolin is a by-product of the process that accompanies the removal of sheep's wool from the pelt." (http://my.webmd.com/content/asset/miller_keane_18562) Before refinement, it is often a yellow and greasy wax with a terrible odor (the odor disappears after refinement). Basically, lanolin has no other medicinal purposes, except that it is easily absorbed by the skin.
What I don't like about this product is that it states that it's perfectly safe for you to use without washing your nipples before a feeding. But, most of the information that I found on using lanolin products recommends doing an allergy test before serious use (typical in home test means placing a little bit on your skin, rubbing it in, and leaving it there for twenty four hours. If redness develops, then you are allergic to the product and should not use it). Why on earth would I let my son come in contact with a possible allergen? Especially since certain foods are not recommended until at least a year of age because they are known allergens? I don't think so.
Something else to be aware of, especially with a nursing infant, is that you can overdose from lanolin. Yes, this is a rare possibility, especially since you are only supposed to use a teeny tiny bit. But come on- how many times have you 'accidentally' used too much lotion on your hands? And how much is this teeny tiny bit? To avoid this completely, be sure to wash your nipples without soap before each feeding, even if the directions say that you don't have to. I'm sure that there isn't enough Lanisnoh on your breast to cause an overdose, but really, you can't be too careful in this situation. Lanolin overdose is actually poisoning caused by lanolin. It involvs gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea and vomiting. If I had known this before actually purchasing and using this product, I would never have bought it. There is good news- lanolin is non toxic, so recovery is highly likely should something happen. For more information, including a dosing schedule for ipecac syrup, please check this website: http://my.webmd.com/content/asset/adam_poison_lanolin_overdose
Rant, Rant, And More Rant
My experiences with this product aren't terrible, but they aren't good enough for me to recommend something so expensive. First off, this product didn't really work for me- period. It didn't sooth my painful nipples, it didn't really even prevent them (true prevention comes from correct latch). The good news? Neither did the other, free, generic cream that I had.
Lanisnoh is not a cream. It's a gel. A hard, sticky icky feeling gel that is difficult to get off clothing. You have to rub it between your fingers in order to soften it up so that you can apply it to your nipples. Remember the Lanolin description above? That's what it looks like- a yellow waxy substance, minus the smell. It feels like ear wax to me- which is a huge turn off. Yucky.
One good thing about this product is that there is virtually no smell. Unlike most lotions and creams, you can walk around with this stuff on your nipples, and no one will notice. So there is one pro in this entire list of cons- one. Well, maybe two- the tube is purple, and purple is my favorite color, so that has to be a plus.
I was very disappointed in this product. I expected so much more from a tiny tube of wax that cost eight dollars. It did not work for me. I didn't rave about this product one bit. Instead, I threw the tube in a drawer, only to be brought out for this review. Once I'm finished here- I'll be tossing that expensive tube in the garbage.
I've heard mention of people using this for dry skin. Um- no. I don't mind staining my bras, because they'll never be seen by anyone other than family anyway. But there is no way that I'm going to use this on my hands and feet, and get waxy stuff all over my clothing. I also do not take pleasure in putting something that greasy and disgusting on my body- and I'm sure that I'm not the only one.
Really, I've found a use for almost every lotion or cream that I did not like. I have creams that are only brought out when I need something rubbed on my back, creams that only come out when my elbows are at their driest, creams that my husband uses for his feet. But so far I have come up with nothing that this product can be used for. Nothing. It's not worth the money I spent on it- I should have attended my breast feeding class and gotten the free samples. Maybe then I would have saved myself some money.
How Well It Didn't Work
For three weeks, I was the queen of cracked and bleeding nipples. Three weeks. Even after working on my latch problems, and finding a more comfortable latch, and after starting to supplement, my nipples were cracked, sore and dry. Lansinoh did not work. I even tried leaving it on all day long, without nursing, just to see if maybe, just maybe, I was using it wrong. Nope. No relief. Instead of getting better, my nipples hurt more. Frustrated, sleep deprived, upset I gave up on this worthless product.
What did work for me, even though I washed my nipple before every feeding, was the lanolin cream (and yes, this one is a cream) that was given to me by the hospital. The tube wasn't as pretty- but it worked, and better yet- it was free (trust me- I even checked my hospital bill looking for the price of this miracle cream- I was going to by a case of it).
Moms To Be- Read This!
Before buying any product, be on the look out for samples. Just because a group of women trust something, or you see more recommended reviews on Epinions, does not mean that a product is meant for you. So, when you take your breast feeding classes, be on the look out for Lansinoh samples. Write the company and ask for some. Borrow a tube from a friend. Or get someone else to buy this for you. Just in case it doesn't work- you will not have wasted your money.
*Straight From The Tube
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
fallyn96
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Tracey
Location: Illinois
Reviews written: 263
Trusted by: 104 members
About Me:
Insanity is hereditary. You get it from your kids.
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