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Ahh, I'm allergic to wool too, guess I will have to watch out if/when we have kids.
I don't know why I didn't put 2 and 2 together... but the other night, I literally wanted to peel my skin off, it was so bad.
Finally it clicked... Duh! Wool makes me itch. Then I googled and sure enough, you can be allergic to Lanolin!
AsB- Have you ever tried or had problems with Aquaphor? I didn't have problems until I got sensitized with the Lanolin cream.
I have used it before and never had problems. I guess it's such a low concentration that you don't notice it unless you are already irritated?
Just checked in with my derm doc he said yep Vaseline is it and if you want to use a little OTC hydrocortisone between feedings cleaning off before the next feeding with a gentle cleanser thats ok. Maybe that will work later after she gives you more than a 2hr break, they usually want to eat pretty frequently at first.
Thank tmarie! I forgot that you work for a dermatologist. I'm hugely appreciative for the help!
My lactation consultant recommended that I not put ANYTHING on my breasts since I will be breastfeeding. There is a natural secretion that your areolas secrete that protects and lubricates your nipples. If you put creams on your nipples you'll keep the pores from secreting whatever it is. She also said not to soap up my nipples in the shower, water only. (Not talking about colostrum, it's something else but I forget the name...) "Basically your body provides everything you need to breastfeed, it's your job to not screw it up." LOL, she's great. So I'm going with her advice and I won't be using any creams at all.
i'm sorry that sucks... i hope you can find something to accommodate your allergy!!!
PS... Anchorman: LANOLIN!
MS- La Leche League is fully supportive of using lanolin for sore/chapped/breastfeeding nipples.
MS - I spend a lot of time assisting in establishing breastfeeding while working in the NICU (and I have taken a lot of breastfeeding courses). While we usually try to minimize the use of anything on the breasts while breastfeeding, quite often without any kind of protection the nipples become quite sore - yes, there are secretions made by the Montgomery's glands, but frequently that is not enough to protect the nipples in early breastfeeding. We find with a lot of first-time moms, vigorous breastfeeders will cause a lot of nipple trauma, so anything you can do to prepare and avoid it is awesome. We also have a "miracle cream" for really traumatized nipples that is a mixture of hydrocortisone, and barrier cream - it needs to be wiped off, but it really helps heal raw nipples quickly.
I usually get weird looks from this, but I'm a huge fan of olive oil. I use it for a lot of things at home, it seems to have really helped my daughters' eczema when I add it to thier baths, I use it on my feet, etc. I was totally unprepared when my oldest was born, and she wasn't able to nurse, so I pumped with her for six months. I used lansinoh at first, but I eventually switched to just cocoa butter and then olive oil, which was fine, since she wasn't nursing. With my younger daughter, I "prepped" using olive oil and cocoa butter. And then, when she started nursing (which, btw, OUCH! Way more pain than just pumping!!), I used the olive oil pretty exclusively since the lanolin stung really bad! Once Lulu & I got into our nursing groove, though, that was all I needed. That and the soothing pad thingies. I can't find anything reputable that says olive oil is good or bad to use, so it's really just my own testimonial. I hope you find that magical combo that works for you, bc nursing your baby really is so special. Once you get over the pain.
Ms Mini: How does one get their hands on your miracle cream? Could I make my own version? Also, I've never heard of putting cream on before you give birth, how early should you do that? Should you just use whatever nipple creams are out there (that you're not allergic to! 
) or is there something in particular you recommend?
The Lanolin tube says to start using it 2-4 weeks prior to starting breastfeeding. I'm so glad that I tried it, because I'd hate to be dealing with the awful itch and breastfeeding!
Mrs DG - That is awful! Since the lactation consultant advised my friends to use the lansinoh cream don't know what else would work! Maybe once you quit the lanolin for a while you will "outgrow" the sensitivity to Aquaphor???
I was going to suggest olive oil as well... or one of the other cold pressed oils that are used in massage like apricot or grapeseed. Oh- I just remembered my friend gave me a jar of this stuff called Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter. It's lanolin free, and has lots of good stuff in it like olive oil, calendula, shea and cocoa butters. It says you don't need to wipe it off and it's toxin-free, cruelty free and certified vegan. Hope that helps!
@northernazbride- I really want to try the Nipple Butter!! I've read pretty good things about it! It seems like a really nice alternative.
My only concern about Earth Mama is the relatively unknown safety of calendula officianalis and breast feeding.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-calendula.html
If I get desperate I might try it, but I do like the idea of narrowing it down to one oil (such as olive oil or almond oil), so maybe I'll try that. I certainly like the idea of something food grade better than petroleum jelly :)
I used black tea bags to relieve the pain! You seep them in warm water for just a bit, then place them on your nipples and let them sit. Sounds crazy but it really works!!!
That's good to know about the tea bags. I think I remember my midwife saying something about putting cold cabbage leaves in your bra if your boobs/nipples really start hurting!
MS - The "miracle cream" is something that the hospital pharmacy mixes specially for the maternity/NICU units, I can send them an email and ask specifically what is in it - we can hand it out without a prescription, so I assume it is just a concoction of over-the-counter ingredients. I don't work for a few days, but I will try to remember and see what I can find. I know there is some zinc-based cream, mild hydrocortisone cream, and something else (I can't seem to remember right now)
@ northernazbride - according to the moms we have gotten to try it, the cabbage leaves work really well for breast pain (but mostly the breast pain from the milk coming in on day 3-5 post-partum). I haven't heard that it works too well for the actual nipple pain though ... The best thing for the pain of milk coming in though is warm moist compresses just before breastfeeding!
Ms. Mini- You're right, it's been a while since we had the conversation, but I'm pretty sure she was talking about using the cabbage leaves when you're really engorged, it's supposed to work well though!
I heard about the cabbage leaves for engorgement as well. I read that the sulfur in the leaves is what gives the relief. Too bad there's not a sulfur lotion out there!
@DG: I was reading Lasinoh's FAQ page and came across this:
In the over 20 years that Lansinoh has been available, the company is not aware of a single documented case of an allergic reaction to Lansinoh HPA Lanolin. However, that does not mean that someone somewhere could have a possible reaction. We would suggest that you apply Lansinoh HPA Lanolin on the inside of your forearm and cover it with an adhesive bandage for 24 hours. After that time, check and see if there is any redness or itching. Obviously, if you have an unpleasant reaction before the 24 hours, discontinue any use of Lansinoh HPA Lanolin immediately.
Maybe you should contact them to let them know! I'd be interested to know if they change their FAQ...
I saw that too...
Now that I'm much less itchy, I'm absolutely convinced that it was the lanolin product... and I did use the HPA. I'm sure they are going to want me to document with additional testing, but I'm not sure that's worth it to me. I'll definitely let them know though!
What about APNO (All Purpose Nipple Ointment)? It may be a little much for just standard wear and tear, but for sore/cracked nipples it might be good. I don't see any mention of lanolin on the ingredients list.
FYI: The moist compresses DEFINITELY help engorgement. So does a really hot shower and just letting the water run on your breasts. I cycle between a hot compress just before feeding, and a cold compress after. I use Gerber Warm or Cool Packs for the cold compress (they don't get too cold and you can put them directly on your skin). I use an Earth Therapeutics microwavable comfort wrap for heat compress. I don't know what's in it, but it is a moist heat like a steamy towel. I LOVE it! And it really helps let down before feeding!
@ MS - I am glad moist compresses work for you! I have never been told otherwise by a mom! Even though I work in NICU - I feel like I spend a ton of time with assisting breastfeeding, so if anything comes up feel free to PM me!
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So I got the recommended lanolin cream for future breast feeding. They recommend starting it a few weeks before you have the baby, so I did.
Well, it turns out, I'm freaking allergic to it! I couldn't figure out why I was so stinking itchy (increasingly so) over the past week. It was driving me crazy.
I knew that wool sweaters were always itchy on me, but I always wear a cotton shirt underneath, so it's never been that big of a deal.
It turns out that wool allergic people can also be Lanolin allergic. So, my question is:
What the heck can I use as an alternative that won't be toxic to Lemon?
Oh, and little PSA- Aquaphor- my beloved ointment has Lanolin alcohol in it, so it appears that I'm now also slightly allergic to it too! Gonna have to switch to Vaseline in place of Aquaphor... but can't use that for breast feeding!