Painful and damaged nipples during lactation are common causes of premature breast feeding
cessation. The applications of different non-pharmacological products to soothe and heal nipples are
widely recommended. Aim: to evaluate the effects of extra virgin olive oil compared to breast milk
on painful and damaged nipples during lactation. Design: Randomized controlled trial was utilized.
Setting: The study was conducted at postpartum unit in Menoufia university Hospital Maternity,
Maternal and Child Health Center, Menoufia, Egypt. Sample: A simple random sample of 120
postpartum women were recruited & randomly assigned into 2 groups 60 women for each. The First
group subjects were requested to apply extra virgin olive oil to their nipples twice daily after
breastfeeding & the second group subjects were asked to apply breast milk. Tools of data collection:
1- Structured interview questionnaire to collect socio- demographic and medical data II- Visual
Analogue Pain Scale to assess the subject's level of pain intensity during breastfeeding III- Nipple
Trauma Score to assess the nipple trauma & evaluate healing rates of breasts. Results: There were
statistically significant differences between extra virgin olive oil and breast milk groups with extra
virgin olive oil group have significant lower nipple pain, lower nipple trauma, & better nipple
trauma healing than breast milk group on the 3rd, 7th & 14th day (p Value <0.01). Conclusion: The
application of extra virgin olive oil has better effect on painful and damaged nipples during lactation
than breast milk. Recommendations: raising awareness of lactating mothers regarding the beneficial
effect of extra virgin olive oil on nipple trauma and pain and how to apply it through a programmed
postpartum care.