Determination of the effectiveness of beeswax in preventing nipple pain and cracks in primiparous breastfeeding mothers: A randomized controlled trial

•Prevention of the nipple pain and cracks is important for breastfeeding.•Beeswax is effective in preventing pain and cracks.•Beeswax barrier is low-cost, efficient and has no side effects. Beeswax is a natural ingredient used effectively for wound healing. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of beeswax and breast milk in preventing nipple pain and cracks in the early postpartum period. This non-blinded, randomized controlled trial was carried out between November 15, 2019, and April 1, 2020, in the postpartum clinic of a state university hospital and at mothers' homes. Ninety primiparous mothers meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into beeswax (n=30), breast milk (n=30), and control (n=30) groups using simple randomization. Mothers in the beeswax, breast milk, and control groups were assessed for nipple pain and cracks on postpartum days 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th. On postpartum day 10, nipple pain and cracks occurred highest in the control group (%53.3), whereas nipple pain and cracks were encountered least in the beeswax group (%20,0) on postpartum observation days. The differences between the groups in terms of nipple cracks and pain severity were statistically significant (p < 0.05, p=0.004, and p=0.000, respectively). Beeswax is more effective than breast milk in preventing nipple pain and crack formation. A beeswax barrier can be used to prevent nipple pain and cracks.