Effectiveness of the Application of Lanolin, Aloe Vera, and Peppermint on Nipple Pain and Nipple Trauma in Lactating Mothers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Infants who are not exclusively breastfed are more vulnerable to gastroenteritis, respiratory illness, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Mothers who do not breastfeed their infants are at a higher risk of cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence regarding the effectiveness of applying lanolin, aloe vera, and peppermint for alleviating nipple pain and nipple trauma among lactating mothers.

Methods: Electronic databases, including PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Clinical Key, were searched for studies published in English from January 2000 to December 2022. Nipple pain and nipple trauma were the primary outcomes analysed, and a meta-analysis was conducted via RevMan v5.4.

Results: The reviewed trials involved 1,495 participants from 11 studies, with an average participant age of 29 ± 5 years. The application of lanolin significantly reduced nipple pain and nipple trauma in lactating mothers. The application of peppermint significantly reduced nipple trauma in lactating mothers.

Conclusion: The application of lanolin or peppermint is a beneficial preventive intervention for reducing nipple trauma and pain.