Lansinoh Products Review: HPA Lanolin, Diaper Rash Ointment and Wipes

I was contacted by a Lansinoh representative about doing a review of a few of their products for my blog. I was interested, but upon reviewing their products felt that I could not do the review justice without some assistance from a mom with a new baby, as many of Lansinoh’s products are geared towards new moms and infants, and as most of you know I have an almost five year old and a two year old. Luckily, I have a friend, Carolyn, who blogs over at Breeder Brain who was expecting a baby any day. Carolyn was excited to take part, and the Lasinoh representative agreed to send us both some products to do a combined review. I received some free Lansinoh HPA Lanolin, Soothies Gel Pads, Diaper Rash Ointment and Clean and Condition Cloths, as well as Breastmilk Storage Bags, which I sent to Carolyn since I do not pump and she already is. Carolyn received some the same free products plus free Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads and LatchAssist.

This review will cover the Lanolin, Diaper Rash Ointment and Clean and Condition Cloths.

Carolyn’s introduction: I’m a first time mom to baby Emily who was born on July 30th of this year. I read loads about breastfeeding before she was born and felt well prepared. Unfortunately, we’ve run into some bumps: Emily has been slow to figure out how to latch and suckle well, and just as that was beginning to improve, I got a plugged duct, which was very painful. Things are looking up now however! I’ve blogged about our breastfeeding issues and progress, and just about anything else that pops into my head that doesn’t fit into a 140 character tweet on Breeder Brain.

When Melodie asked if I’d like to participate in writing reviews of some Lansinoh products, I was delighted to do so, as I’ve heard such good things about them from other moms and they are a local (to me) company. I’d heard most about their lanolin cream and I was enthused about a chance to get to know some of Lansinoh’s other products.

About Lansinoh

Lansinoh is a company that supports and encourages moms to breastfeed by designing products especially for breastfeeding moms and breastfed babies. This award winning company is well known for their award winning HPA Lanolin, recognized with The Silver Award as the Best Breastfeeding Product for mothers two years in a row in the UK and the only nipple cream endorsed in the USA by La Leche League International. I went into this review thinking “what’s not to love about this company?”

HPA Lanolin

Lansinoh’s HPA Lanolin was specifically developed to soothe and protect sore and cracked nipples in breastfeeding women.

My story: I used Lansinoh Lanolin after the birth of my first child. I was given a sample of Lansinoh Lanolin upon my release from the hospital, so naturally I thought it was normal and to be expected to have cracked and bleeding nipples. Indeed, it is very commonplace because a proper latch can be tricky to achieve, but if you do have cracked and bleeding nipples, get some help with your latch because breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt. Thankfully, we have this product to help us get through the pain in the meantime. I used my Lanolin everyday until my midwife adjusted our positioning and corrected our latch. Once that was fixed, my nipples healed quickly and we were on our way.

For this review I relied on my past experience with the Lanolin but also tried it out as a hand moisturizer, chap stick, and on my feet, as I read that pure grade lanolin can also be used to treat chapped lips, diaper rash, dry and itchy skin, rough feet, minor cuts, minor burns and skin abrasions.

Carolyn’s story: Because of the problems Emily and I had with latching at the beginning, I started pumping much earlier than I had expected. I started out using a poor quality pump which was very hard on my nipples: they quickly became cracked and I also developed a number of milk blisters. I quickly rented a hospital grade pump, but I was so glad to have the Lansinoh Lanolin on hand. I applied it after every pumping and nursing session during the time my nipples were most uncomfortable. It helped to heal my nipples quickly so I could continue to pump and nurse as much as possible in the critical early weeks when Emily’s weight gain and my supply are delicate. The Lanolin doesn’t have any fragrance which I think is especially important when it comes to things that go into my baby’s mouth! My only issue with this product is the consistency: it’s too thick for my liking. When I was applying it to very sore nipples, it hurt to put it on because I needed so much pressure to spread it out. I know it’s a natural product, so a thinner consistency might not be possible without additives, but it’s my one small gripe.

What we liked: It soothed and helped heal our nursing/pumping wounds by protecting them from further abuse, and it didn’t stain our clothes. It is hypo-allergenic, and as a pure grade product, we didn’t have to wash it off between feedings like is suggested for other nipple creams. We both appreciated that it is fragrance free, and I liked that it can be used for multi-purposes: it worked great on my chapped hands, lip and feet!

What I didn’t like: Nothing.

What Carolyn didn’t like: The consistency.

Diaper Rash Ointment

Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment just won the iParenting Media award for outstanding Outstanding Product of 2009 award in the Baby Care Category. To read iParenting’s reviewer feedback, visit ByMomsForMoms.net, Lansinoh’s sponsored blog.

My story: Between the time of receiving and reviewing these products, my daughter only got a couple of minor diaper rashes. Luckily, as she is potty training we are having less and less rash issues, but the Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment did the trick, as I only had to apply it once.

Carolyn’s story: Emily is only barely four weeks old now, so thankfully we’ve avoided full on diaper rash so far. However, her butt was looking a bit red the other day, so we cleaned her up and gave her some diaper free time, to allow a bit of fresh air to her skin. Then I used some of the Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment. It’s a zinc oxide based product, which I’ve read is one of the best treatments for diaper rash, and fragrance free. At her next diaper change, her skin was looking much more healthy and normal. I tend to think of ointments as being thick and gooey but this has a consistency more like a cream, and is easy to apply.

What we liked: Aside from the fact it worked, the cream is hypoallergenic and fragrance free. It comes out white and smoothes on clear rather than thick and pasty like a lot of the regular zinc creams, instead, minus the slight greasiness, it almost feels and looks like hand cream. The cream also contains a couple natural inactive ingredients like beeswax and chamomile flower extract, which somehow makes me like it even that much more.

What I didn’t like: Because the purpose of the cream is to seal out wetness, it doesn’t wash off easily. I smothered it all over my hands (not that  you would ever actually do that when using it correctly) and then washed them. It left a greasy residue; however, once I dried them, my hands felt very soft.

What Carolyn didn’t like: Nothing!

Clean and Condition Cloths

These wipes are made specifically for breastfed infants, since due to the laxative effect of breast milk, often need changing more often. The cloths contain Lansinoh Lanolin and provide gentle cleaning while protecting your  baby’s sensitive skin.

My story: We usually only use disposable wipes when we go out or travel because my daughter hates them, crying out “ow ow ow Mommy!” when I wipe her bum. But when I used the Clean and Condition diaper wipes she told me “no owies Mommy.” I think the conditioning residue helped to protect her little tushie. She has strangely become quite fixated on her Lansinoh wipes. “My bum wipes!” she proudly and affectionately refers to them.

Carolyn’s story: The hospital where I gave birth to Emily sent me home with some no name brand wipes, and I’d already bought a box of a major disposable diaper manufacturer brand wipes, so this is the one product I can compare to others, unlike many of the Lansinoh products I’m reviewing. Both the hospital no name and the diaper brand wipes are fragrance free, while the Lansinoh wipes have a slight fragrance. I like it, and it disappears quickly, but this could be an issue for chemically sensitive people out there. After trying the different wipes, I definitely prefer the Lansinoh wipes over the others. All are alcohol free, but the others leave my hands, and I imagine, Emily’s butt, feeling a bit dry, whereas the Lansinoh wipes feel slightly moisturizing, probably as a result of the lanolin in them. I have already purchased more of these wipes and I plan to continue using them, when I finish off the other wipes that I’ve accumulated.

What we liked: I like that my daughter likes them and that they keep her bum moisturized between changes. I also like that these come in a double-sealed container. A pop-up dispenser covers a hygiene seal that can be re-applied, so you don’t have to worry about them getting dried out. In addition, the wipes are strong. They don’t tear. Carolyn likes the moisturizing effect and subtle fragrance.

What we didn’t like: Carolyn thinks they might be an issue for some people who have chemical sensitivities; however, I have sensitivities and avoid buying all scented products, but I find these mild and tolerable. There’s nothing I didn’t really like about these wipes, but at the end of the day I do prefer my washable and re-useable cut up old towel squares.

So far so good! After using these three products I’m even a bigger fan of Lansinoh. My only wish is that these products were more readily available in Canada. Other than the HPA Lanolin, I have never seen their other products in the Baby Aisle of my local pharmacy or grocery store.

Stay tuned because this review isn’t over. Within the next couple of weeks we will have finished reviewing the Soothies Gel Pads, Nursing Pads, Milk Storage Bags and LatchAssist and have another review post for you.

In the meantime, pop on over to the Lansinoh blog and read more about these great products.

The Giveaway (is now closed)

Related posts:

1. Lansinoh Products Review: Soothies Gel Pads, Milk Storage Bags, Latch Assist, and Nursing Pads
2. Lansinoh and Their WHO Code Violating Pigeon
3. Update on Lansinoh’s WHO Code Compliance
4. Products Breastfeeding Moms Actually Need
5. Six (Other) Uses for Breastmilk

Tags: breast milk, breastfeeding products, diaper rash, La Leche League, lanolin, Lansinoh, milk blisters, sore nipples