65

USE OF SOFT LASER IN THE THERAPY OF

SORE NIPPLES IN BREASTFEEDING WOMEN

Pietschnig Beate IBCLC, Pani Michael, Kfer Astrid, BauerWais Elisabeth

and Lischka Andreas.
Wilhelminenspital der Stadt WIEN, Kinderklinik Glanzing, Austria

Key words: Low level laser therapy, sore nipples, cracked nipples, breastfeeding

1. INTRODUCTION
AAP, WHO/UNICEF and the Austrian Pediatric Society recommend
exclusive breastfeeding or the first 4-6 months. Sore nipples are responsible
for early weaning1,2. The main reasons are wrong positioning, candida
albicans and bacterial infection 3.
Low level laser irradiation ("softlaser") improves the microcirculation
and proliferation of keratinocytes.4,5,6,7 however, the therapy of sore nipples
with softlaser has never been published.

2. GOAL OF THE STUDY

The main aim was to report the causes and therapies of a group of
mothers with sore and cracked nipples.

Short and Long Term Effects of Breast Feeding on Child Health

Edited by Berthold Koletzko et al., Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2000 437
438 B. Pietschnig et al.

3. PATIENTS / METHODS / STUDYDESIGN

31 mothers with sore nipples (1 998),who came for an "ultimate ratio".
All mothers were counselled for proper lactation management, medicated
as necessary and used pure lanolin. Softlaser was started at the first visit. We
used a 5mW / 780nm laser for 2 minutes at a distance of 5 cm every other
day. All mothers reported pain - intensity on a 0-10 scale8.

4. RESULTS
The mean number of treatment sessions was 6.92 (SD 3.72). The mean
painvalue was 9.17 (SD 0.89) in the beginning and 1.95 (SD0.76) at the last
visit. Antimycotics were used in 16 mothers topically, 3 systemic, antibiotics
in 6 and 4 mothers, resp. No nipples shields were used. 28 mothers went on
breastfeeding, 2 were not sure, 1 mother quit.

5. DISCUSSION
Sore represent a severe problem. Low level laser therapy may be a
valuable adjuvanttherapy, together with counselling and medication.

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