If you want something more natural, I found coconut or olive oil worked better. Only caution is olive oil was a bit slippery and you really had to hang on to your flanges when pumping.
I give the milk a few minutes to dry when I am done, then use Earth Momma Angel Baby nipple butter and it's amazing! If I need more relief I have these gel packs that I keep in the freezer they have helped a lot.
Second using olive oil. As far as stinging goes, I've had that during times I wasn't nursing (we go back & forth lately). Sometimes I just think it's par for the course when you consider all the crazy stuff your breasts are doing, in combo with slight trauma from pumping. That being said, it won't hurt to ask your doctor for some nystatin cream- you can get thrush even if LO doesn't have it (be sure to always let nips air dry after pumping or nursing).
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