When I was pregnant with my first child and mentioned to people that I was going to breastfeed her, Lanisoh cream was constantly recommended to me, so much so that I actually stocked up on a few tubes before giving birth. I was told that without this cream I would have sore and possibly even cracked nipples.

Sometimes sore nipples are indeed a problem with breastfeeding, in my experience because baby would sometimes tug on them or wouldn't latch on properly because she was sleepy, so I would slather this cream on day and night. I wouldn't call it a cream but that's what it is marketed as - I would call it an ointment because it is almost clear, very thick, and greasy. It doesn't soak into the skin, it just sits on it, which is no doubt partly how it 'protects' the nipples. Soon after using it I developed mastitis in one breast, because a duct had gotten blocked. I didn't realise that the cream had caused it until I stopped using it on that breast until the mastitis had cleared up, which took a course of antibiotics. It then happened again on the other breast. When I spoke with a breastfeeding expert about this she said that it was not uncommon for creams that are applied to the nipples to cause blocked ducts. Why this is hailed by all and sundry as a 'must-have' product, I don't know. It has certainly been marketed well to that end. However I continued to breastfeed for two years after stopping the use of Lanisoh, and I never had a single problem with blocked ducts again.

Although my nipples did get sore sometimes, especially as I suffer from eczema, I discovered a natural remedy from a lady I know who breastfeed all 4 of her children. She said to dry my nipples after every feed, and express a bit of milk onto then. I did it and it worked. Although Lansinoh is natural and not damaging to children, etc, it is not as natural as breastmilk and it still comes in a plastic tube, which contains chemicals because all plastics due. Chemicals that have been recently removed from children's toys including BPA and pthalates do not have to be removed from containers such as tubes for 'natural' creams.

Lansinoh cream is available in 56g tubes in pharmacies and supermarkets, without prescription. The cream is very thick and greasy and sits on the skin for a long time after it has been applied. I had to wear breastpads inside my bras to stop them from becoming too greasy.

I recommend that nursing mothers try expressing milk onto their nipples before they buy this expensive product. Breastmilk is antiviral and antiseptic so if you are in danger of an infection in your nipple, breastmilk will help to prevent it whereas the Lansinoh cream might make the problem worse. However, of course it is the best option for mums if you have no choice but to use a cream. Personally I think it's a gimmick and a huge moneymaker at the expensive of nursing mothers, and that because the knowledge of expressing milk to prevent soreness has been lost, this product will remain popular with breastfeeding women forever. Which is a shame as it's not very nice to use, and it costs you an arm and a leg to buy.. And if you develop mastitis from using it, it could even cost you a nipple!