Mom & Baby

Dr. Jack Newman’s All-Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO)

Nipple tenderness is common when a baby first latches on, especially during the first few weeks of breastfeeding with a new baby.  But nipple pain that does not go away and causes you to dread the thought of breastfeeding indicates something more serious is going on.  Make an appointment with a lactation consultant.  Don’t wait around to see if it resolves on its own.  The sooner you can feel more comfortable and get back to breastfeeding, the better it will be for you and your baby.

Nipple pain from breastfeeding can be caused by a variety of reasons including: poor latching, bacterial or yeast infections, and other skin conditions such as mastitis.  Nipple pain is not only uncomfortable for a nursing mother, but it is often one of the primary reasons women decide to stop breastfeeding early.

One treatment option to make breastfeeding more comfortable is the use of Dr. Jack Newman’s All Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO) formulation.

What is All Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO)?  This special ointment formulation was developed in Canada by Dr. Jack Newman, a pediatrician and preeminent breastfeeding researcher, and the founder of the International Breastfeeding Centre in Toronto.  He has been instrumental in helping breastfeeding mothers for the last several decades and is the author of the definitive book on breastfeeding called Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding.

APNO contains three ingredients: an antibiotic (mupirocin), and anti-fungal agent (miconazole), and a topical anti-inflammatory (betamethasone).  The combination of these three ingredients helps soothe and heal sore nipples and reduces the incidence of bacterial infections (a common cause of mastitis) and Candida.  Candida is the yeast that can cause thrush in the mouths of infants.  The topical anti-inflammatory ingredient helps reduce local pain and swelling.

Lactation Ointment Form – Download this pre-printed prescription to discuss with your prescriber.