Our Lansinoh family started 35 years ago with a breastfeeding mum – Resheda Hagen, when she embarked on what became the Lansinoh venture in 1978 in Portland, Oregon, when her first child was born. Resheda was breastfeeding, but after several days her nipples advanced from tender to excruciatingly sore. Unable to get any relief from the products available, she reluctantly considered weaning. A La Leche League Leader encouraged her to keep trying and recommended lanolin, but it was not available in the shops. Resheda’s husband, a doctor, was able to locate and bring home a one pound jar of wool fat from the hospital pharmacy. She applied the lanolin to her painful nipples and felt immediate relief. Her nipples healed over the next few days and she went on to breastfeed successfully. Resheda Hagen started advocating the benefits of “Pure Lanolin” as a treatment for sore nipples for nursing mothers. Resheda Hagen founded her company in 1984 to offer breastfeeding women a safe and effective alternative to the highly cosmetic products that were available for nipple soreness – a major reason for failing to establish successful breastfeeding relationship. In 1984 she decided to buy lanolin in one pound jars and package it herself into smaller containers for sale to breastfeeding mothers.
