Coconut Oil instead of Lanolin?

Cridge · Jan 4th, 2013, 18:23 PM

Has anyone used coconut oil on their nipples instead of lanolin? I have to put lanolin on after every feed to keep my nipples from drying out and it kinda makes me sick to think that baby is sucking down lanolin every time he feeds. I know it's just a very small amount, but I wouldn't want to be eating that stuff. I've heard of people using coconut oil but I'm wondering how comparable to lanolin it is.

Just looking for experience from others.

summer rain · Jan 4th, 2013, 18:45 PM

I haven't tried it but I'd imagine it would work even better. I have found for general skin care purposes the refined filtered coconut oil which tends to be cheaper is more robust and melts less easily than the virgin raw stuff, it is also less greasy. The virgin raw stuff would probably not provide much of a barrier. Coconut oil also has some antibacterial properties as well so could help to prevent infection from setting in to any cracks that occur. I am vegan so with the new baby will only be using coconut oil xx

toby1331 · Jan 4th, 2013, 20:35 PM

I do! I love the stuff! It was recommended by LO's pediatritian. My nipples never cracked. I also use it got my and my LO's lotion. OH uses it too!

Care76 · Jan 4th, 2013, 22:38 PM

Yes. It also works for thrush and is great to massage baby with!

xSin · Jan 5th, 2013, 05:21 AM

I used it at the recommendation of another mum at the health food store when I was searching for an alternative to lanolin as lanolin worked for maybe two or three weeks tops.

Love love coconut oil, I applied it immediately before nursing which I was confident doing. Coconut oil has the second highest level of lauric acid I think it is, to breastmilk which is a key immune booster.

menb · Jan 5th, 2013, 08:20 AM

Good to know...the twins and I have been dealing with Thrush for about a month now (I think). No more white spots on them, but I'm still sore. I give them the Nystatin liquid a couple times a day (if I remember) and I put the Nystatin ointment on myself (if I remember).

Good to know I can also use coconut oil. I hate giving them meds!!

Cridge · Jan 7th, 2013, 12:20 PM

Thanks ladies! Care to share which brand you use?

Summer Rain - I'm especially interested to know which kind you use.

Do you other ladies use virgin raw or refined filtered?

summer rain · Jan 7th, 2013, 16:36 PM

It's just an Asian brand we have in the UK, KTC I think. My previous family doctor told me the refined less greasy versions were better for baby and children's skin as well because they are more easily absorbed. I have the biona raw organic brand and its not only very oily and runny it smells incredibly strongly of a toasted coconut kind of smell and you really want to avoid any strong odours when BF even if they are natural, pleasant ones. The way I'd describe it is the refined, filtered one is like vegetable shortening, it's not that greasy, it's quite thick and melts with more difficulty and its a lot more stable however it's stored. In fact the shortening we have here in the UK is virtually identical just its made from pure palm oil and not coconut. The raw version is more like butter or ghee, it's very oily/greasy, has a definite strong scent and if not stored in a very particular way it will spoil. Xx

yarianasmommy · Jan 7th, 2013, 20:56 PM

Hey ladies, I have to caution the use of coconut oil just because it is "natural". Research shows that there seems to be a link between coconut allergies and adverse reactions and those who are allergic to latex. Now mind you that since you're dealing with babies we don't know off the bat just WHO is allergic to latex.

Also check the label carefully because a lot of plants that process coconut also process various tree nuts and as we know those are also big known allergens.

Just want everyone to be safe with baby!!!

gaiagirl · Jan 8th, 2013, 00:45 AM

Cridge, I use it and LOVE it! I use the virgin stuff.

Also for thrush, grapefruit seed extract does wonders against yeast!

Jan 4th, 2013, 18:23 PM	#1
Cridge Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 2,925	Coconut Oil instead of Lanolin? Has anyone used coconut oil on their nipples instead of lanolin? I have to put lanolin on after every feed to keep my nipples from drying out and it kinda makes me sick to think that baby is sucking down lanolin every time he feeds. I know it's just a very small amount, but I wouldn't want to be eating that stuff. I've heard of people using coconut oil but I'm wondering how comparable to lanolin it is. Just looking for experience from others.

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Jan 4th, 2013, 18:45 PM	#2
summer rain Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 16,532	I haven't tried it but I'd imagine it would work even better. I have found for general skin care purposes the refined filtered coconut oil which tends to be cheaper is more robust and melts less easily than the virgin raw stuff, it is also less greasy. The virgin raw stuff would probably not provide much of a barrier. Coconut oil also has some antibacterial properties as well so could help to prevent infection from setting in to any cracks that occur. I am vegan so with the new baby will only be using coconut oil xx

Status: Offline

Jan 4th, 2013, 20:35 PM	#3
toby1331 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 872	I do! I love the stuff! It was recommended by LO's pediatritian. My nipples never cracked. I also use it got my and my LO's lotion. OH uses it too!

Status: Offline

Jan 4th, 2013, 22:38 PM	#4
Care76 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 962	Yes. It also works for thrush and is great to massage baby with!

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Jan 5th, 2013, 05:21 AM	#5
xSin Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 2,485	I used it at the recommendation of another mum at the health food store when I was searching for an alternative to lanolin as lanolin worked for maybe two or three weeks tops. Love love coconut oil, I applied it immediately before nursing which I was confident doing. Coconut oil has the second highest level of lauric acid I think it is, to breastmilk which is a key immune booster.

Status: Offline

Jan 5th, 2013, 08:20 AM	#6
menb Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 431	Good to know...the twins and I have been dealing with Thrush for about a month now (I think). No more white spots on them, but I'm still sore. I give them the Nystatin liquid a couple times a day (if I remember) and I put the Nystatin ointment on myself (if I remember). Good to know I can also use coconut oil. I hate giving them meds!!

Status: Offline

Jan 7th, 2013, 12:20 PM	#7
Cridge Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 2,925	Thanks ladies! Care to share which brand you use? Summer Rain - I'm especially interested to know which kind you use. Do you other ladies use virgin raw or refined filtered?

Status: Offline

Jan 7th, 2013, 16:36 PM	#8
summer rain Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 16,532	It's just an Asian brand we have in the UK, KTC I think. My previous family doctor told me the refined less greasy versions were better for baby and children's skin as well because they are more easily absorbed. I have the biona raw organic brand and its not only very oily and runny it smells incredibly strongly of a toasted coconut kind of smell and you really want to avoid any strong odours when BF even if they are natural, pleasant ones. The way I'd describe it is the refined, filtered one is like vegetable shortening, it's not that greasy, it's quite thick and melts with more difficulty and its a lot more stable however it's stored. In fact the shortening we have here in the UK is virtually identical just its made from pure palm oil and not coconut. The raw version is more like butter or ghee, it's very oily/greasy, has a definite strong scent and if not stored in a very particular way it will spoil. Xx

Status: Offline

Jan 7th, 2013, 20:56 PM	#9
yarianasmommy Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 27	Hey ladies, I have to caution the use of coconut oil just because it is "natural". Research shows that there seems to be a link between coconut allergies and adverse reactions and those who are allergic to latex. Now mind you that since you're dealing with babies we don't know off the bat just WHO is allergic to latex. Also check the label carefully because a lot of plants that process coconut also process various tree nuts and as we know those are also big known allergens. Just want everyone to be safe with baby!!!

Status: Offline

Jan 8th, 2013, 00:45 AM	#10
gaiagirl Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,609	Cridge, I use it and LOVE it! I use the virgin stuff. Also for thrush, grapefruit seed extract does wonders against yeast!

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