Nursing is the easiest and yet most complicated way of feeding your little one.
A woman’s body naturally produces food for her baby, but the successful establishment of breastfeeding is very tricky.
Nipple creams, balms, and salves are the best friends of every breastfeeding mother.
They’re here to ease the pain, soothe your skin and nipples, and protect them from dryness.
The best nipple creams for breastfeeding are the ones that cater to all your needs.
Breastfeeding discomfort usually happens after unsuccessful latching and it discourages a lot of new moms who try nursing for the first time.
One of the main issues is a lack of knowledge and information about breastfeeding and products which can ease the whole process.
Nipple pain doesn’t come from breastfeeding exclusively.
Pumping is a common cause of sore nipples as well.
If you use a breast pump, you need to protect your nipples from irritation by using nipple creams and similar products.
If you’re not sure what the best option is for you, do not fear, as I’m here to guide you through my top picks of the best nipple creams for breastfeeding!
For all of you busy moms, here’s a quick list of our top picks!
Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Honest Company Organic Nipple Balm | Prime | Buy Now | ||
HATCH Mama - Natural Nipple + Lip Rescue Balm | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
Ameda Triple Nursing Cream | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Here are the best products to treat sore and chapped nipples:
1. Ameda Triple Zero Lanolin
- MEDICAL GRADE - Clinically proven to effectively soothe painful, sore, tender nipples
- APPLY ANYTIME - Keep on schedule with this triple lanolin lotion, the neutral smell and taste will not interfere with breastfeeding
- RISK FREE RELIEF - Amedas hypoallergenic, pesticide-free formula protects mom and baby from harmful chemical exposure
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Every mother wants only the best for her child, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the same, as well.
Nursing is indeed the most precious bond between a child and his mother, but it does come with a price.
Sore nipples are an essential part of nursing, but it certainly isn’t unsolvable.
This lanolin lotion prides itself on being one of the best on the market, as it’s 100% pure lanolin.
As such, it definitely deserves to be mentioned as one of the best nipple creams for breastfeeding.
It comes in a tube, which is a big yes from lots of mommas as most of these products come in plastic jars.
What I like most about it is that this cream is a single ingredient product coming from Merino wool so it’s a completely harmless product for your baby.
It doesn’t contain any perfume or other fragrances and it has no taste.
I always go with creams that state there’s no taste, if possible.
Sore nipples need moisture more than anything, and this cream provides it with a hypoallergenic formula, which is pesticide-free too.
As it’s completely natural, you can apply it as much as you want and whenever you want.
Even though I’m a mamma of two big kids now, I still use Ameda from time to time as it helps with chapped lips and dry skin, as well.
Who doesn’t like a multipurpose product?
2. Bamboobies Nipple Cream
- PAIN RELIEF: Nipple Cream is the perfect solution for painful and cracked nipples caused by breastfeeding
- 100% ORGANIC: Soothes, protects, and moisturizes, increasing your comfort during and after breastfeeding
- NON-TOXIC: Made from simple ingredients that are safe for ingestion by your baby
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Lanolin has been used for a long time as a moisturizer in the cosmetic industry, especially with baby products.
But, there are a lot of people who are allergic to wool or just disagree with the way lanolin is produced.
As a result, some companies came up with the idea of creating nipple cream alternatives.
Bamboobies nipple cream is made out of marshmallow root, which has numerous benefits, from treating the common cold to wound healing.
here’s also shea butter, the most popular product in the cosmetic industry, in addition to beeswax, known as a pain reliever; extra virgin olive oil, full of vitamin E, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds which help repair damaged skin; and calendula flower, which is great for reducing fever.
All of these ingredients are completely safe for your little one so there’s no need to wipe the cream off your nipples before you breastfeed.
You can also use it as a lip balm, which is quite a common use besides nipple treatments.
There are a lot of lip balms with similar ingredients on the market, but this one makes your lips softer than any other product could do.
This product is made of USDA certified organic ingredients, so you can rest assured it’s a top-notch product.
3. Bella B Nurturing Nipple Butter
- NIPPLE GUARD: Use before and after breastfeeding to help prevent and soothe sore or cracked nipples.
- LANOLIN-FREE BREASTFEEDING CREAM: The perfect lanolin-free alternative for breastfeeding mammas.
- ORGANIC NIPPLE BUTTER: Contains natural ingredients including cocoa, shea and mango butter.
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Here’s another great product that contains ingredients derived from plants.
This means you won’t find any animal by-products in this cream!
New moms who prefer to avoid lanolin can breathe a sigh of relief now, as there are a lot of alternatives.
Even though Bella B is plant-based like Bamboobies cream, they’re not the same.
While Bamboobies uses olive oil, calendula, marshmallow roots, etc., Bella B is based on kinds of butter such as cocoa, shea, and mango butter.
Cocoa butter is a very common ingredient in skin creams because it contains fatty acids and vitamin E.
Cocoa has anti-inflammatory effects, which prevents swelling around your nipples.
Mango butter is a great product for skin hydration and it creates a kind of protective layer over the nipple, keeping it moist and safe.
Bella B Nipple Nurture Butter is one of my favorites when it comes to plant-based products and of course, it can be used for lips or dry skin generally.
4. HATCH Mama – Natural Nipple + Lip Rescue Balm
- LetÕs Be Honest - Breastfeeding Is Amazing + Awesome But Can Be Painful AF!
- This Lanolin-Free Formula Helps Calm + Soothe Irritated Nipps + Relieve Dry Lips And Other Bits - Tropical Butters + Superfruits Create A Barrier Against Chapping & Chafing
- Formulated WITHOUT: Parabens, Phthalates, Dyes, & Fragrance
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This is a lanolin-free product which confirms that there are a lot of alternatives for a product that was considered a must-have before.
Almost every new breastfeeding mom experiences soreness and dryness when first nursing, but you don’t have to suffer as there are a lot of products that can help your sensitive skin.
This balm can do the same as other creams and salves, but the manufacturer says it protects you better.
Apart from being a strong contender for the title of best nipple cream for breastfeeding, it offers a combination of mango, pomegranate, and acai, providing very rich hydration and moisture.
It’s a cruelty-free product with superfruits that make your skin supersoft.
Calendula extract is there to heal the skin of your boob and protect it from dryness during pregnancy and the breastfeeding period.
It’s primarily intended for nipples, but you can also use this product for hydrating lips, dry skin generally, and cuticles.
For me, this is a great choice not just because of the ingredients, certificates, and other features, but because of honesty.
Hatch Mama brand states their product is organic, cruelty-free, gluten-free, also free of scents, parabens, and any type of dye, or phthalates.
I like how they advocate for healthier and safer products for babies by making balms with 100% natural ingredients.
Other brands’ products are usually safe for babies, but this goes only for healthy children who haven’t shown any signs of common allergies so far.
I’m more comfortable when a brand takes extra precautions because this shows they’re careful about every detail, as well.
5. Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream
- #1 Recommended Brand- Our HPA Lanolin Cream for Breastfeeding is clinically tested and most recommended by Doctors.
- For Nursing Mothers- Thick, rich lanolin nipplecream soothes and protects sore nipples.
- Safe for Baby- Made from just lanolin, so theres no need to remove this nipple nursing cream before breastfeeding.
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Now, to go back to the proven recipe which cures dry nipples, according to a number of doctors and pediatricians.
Lansinoh states that this product is free from petroleum, parabens, or any type of preservatives.
This organic nipple cream is made from sheep’s wool only, which means it has no taste or smell, whatsoever.
Just to mention as a precaution, these creams do leave stains on your shirts.
If you don’t want that and avoid bras because they’re not convenient for you, why don’t you try a nursing bra?
If you wear this type of bra, you can use nursing pads and prevent stains from ruining your favorite shirt.
Lansinoh’s cream can be used during pregnancy, as well. It should be used twice a day to prevent dryness and prepare your nipples for nursing.
6. Medela Tender Care Lanolin Nipple Cream
- DESIGNED FOR MOMS: The Medela Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding was designed for moms who experience discomfort during latching.
- SOOTHING PROTECTION FOR TENDER NIPPLES: This nipple cream for breastfeeding offers soothing protection to tender nipples.
- HYPOALLERGENIC ALL-NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Medela’s Lanolin Nipple Cream is hypoallergenic and made from all-natural ingredients.
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When I hear Medela, the first thing I think of are their non-electric breast pumps.
This brand is committed to making breastfeeding a pleasurable experience for new moms and their little ones, as their products are on top of the budget game.
This nipple ointment will do its job, healing nipples even if they start bleeding a little bit, but it’s also good as a lip balm.
It sticks to the traditional recipe which is good, especially for all those moms who don’t want to experiment with new products.
I love that most creams, balms, and salves, on this list, including the Medela one, come in tubes so they can fit diaper bags perfectly without using up too much space.
RELATED: The Best Diaper Bag For Twins – 12 Top Choices
I would recommend that you apply at least a little dab after every breastfeeding session to get the best results.
It’s not the end of the world if you skip it, but it will take more time to heal.
This product can be used on babies as well if there’s a kind of rash around the mouth area.
Just be careful, if there’s rash or any other symptom of allergy after you use this cream, make sure to get your baby to the doctor, as he might be allergic to one of the ingredients.
The only thing that may be considered as a con is the smell.
Unfortunately, this product is not unscented, but the smell does not influence the taste at all.
7. Motherlove Nipple Cream
- LANOLIN-FREE & PLANT-BASED: Motherloves organic Nipple Cream for breastfeeding is unscented, free of lanolin, and does not need to be removed prior to nursing.
- NOT JUST FOR NIPS!: Nipple Cream is great to use as a pump lubricant -- simply apply a thin layer to the inner part of your flange before a pumping session.
- AWARD-WINNING: This natural nipple balm is trusted and loved worldwide by generations of families and lactation consultants.
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If you’re an environmentalist mom, this is the perfect cream for you.
As the manufacturer puts it, this product is made at a solar-powered, zero-waste building.
The brand states they put the planet and people above profit, therefore they use natural and non-GMO ingredients by using sustainable energy sources and producing zero waste.
Essentially, by using this cream you protect yourself, your baby, and the planet Earth.
It makes nipple pain go away with the help of extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, and other ingredients like:
• Calendula flower
• Marshmallow root
• Shea butter
Yes, it does resemble Bamboobies, but they’re not manufactured in the same way.
It’s unscented and can be used for pumping, which is very important.
Lots of women rarely use these types of products when pumping, because they mostly think latching is the main cause of sore nipples, but that isn’t always the case.
You need to have a pump lubricant as well, and this cream is a great one – just apply a thin layer over the breast and it will protect you from breast pain.
8. Green Goo All-Natural Nursing Comfort Salve
- ESSENTIAL FOR BREASTFEEDING MOMS – Green Goo’s nipple balm provides soothing relief for sensitive, sore, and cracked nipples.
- FORMULATED FOR HEALTHY BABIES – Our nipple cream for breastfeeding does not contain parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, or artificial ingredients. Its non-toxic, vegetarian, and lanolin-free.
- USE EVERY NURSING SESSION – Our nipple butter is great for cracked & sore nipples, tenderness, pain, and thrush, and it soothes, moisturizes, and protects your skin.
- 100% ALL-NATURAL INGREDIENTS – Green Goo’s breastfeeding essentials are power packed with calendula, chamomile, marshmallow root, and olive oil.
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When it comes to relieving uncomfortable symptoms of nursing, the Green Goo salve has gotten really amazing reviews so far.
It’s suitable for vegetarians and is free from numerous toxins no mom wants anywhere near her nipples.
The ingredients include soothing chamomile, olive oil, calendula, and marshmallow root.
If you choose to buy this product, you’ll be supporting a female-owned business which is always a plus.
9. Munchkin Milkmakers
- 100% all-natural ingredients, including coconut oil and shea butter to provide instant relief from chapped, sore nipples
- Gentle glide, twist stick applicator keeps fingers clean and minimizes contamination
- Free of lanolin, parabens, petroleum and artificial fragrance
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I must admit, this nipple balm has a cute name and design.
Of course, those are not the only reasons why I put it on the list.
Not every balm or cream fits every breastfeeding mother.
This is a fact that most of us forget sometimes, so we wonder how come one mamma says it’s great and someone else thinks it’s not worth buying?
We’re similar, but we all have something unique, and our skin doesn’t always behave the same way.
Therefore, different creams will react in different ways.
This nipple balm works for most moms I know and it’s very practical.
Tubes are indeed easier to handle than jars, but sometimes it may be a bit difficult to squeeze the product out of the tube, especially if it’s a balm or salve.
Munchkin has produced a twist stick applicator so you don’t have to use your hands or fingers to apply it.
This is a great innovation as it’s super easy to use!
The product is cruelty-free, and it’s safe from parabens, petroleum, or artificial fragrances.
Shea butter and coconut oil are a perfect mixture of soothers for your skin, be it dry nipples or any other dry part of your skin.
Therefore, just like any other cream on the list, you can use this one to treat your whole body with a luxurious silky balm.
10. Nipple Crack Lanolin Free Nipple Cream
- ORGANIC: Made from seven simple, natural, organic ingredients. Odorless, tasteless and readily accepted for breastfeeding by infants. Made in the USA.
- NO NEED TO WASH OFF BEFORE BREASTFEEDING: Lanolin-free, cruelty-free, non-toxic, no artificial ingredients, fragrances, parabens, petrolatum, or dyes…100% safe for mom and baby!
- FAST RELIEF: Loved & recommended by lactation consultants, Nipple Crack Nipple Balm starts working on contact to soothe and protect hardworking nipples, delivering fast relief when mom needs it most.
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This is a cream for tiny and big humans!
This organic nipple cream is completely tasteless, unscented, and safe for your baby.
There’s one issue I haven’t discussed so far and that’s stickiness.
Even though most of these creams and balms are a bit sticky, which is completely normal, some can be more sticky than others.
Tiny Human developed a formula to prevent any sticky residues after applying it.
It also has a very soft texture which helps to apply this product more easily.
Sore nipples hurt a lot, every touch can be painful and if the balm or cream is not soft enough and can’t be easily applied, it turns into a serious problem, because most women just stop using it.
This brand is also completely free from toxic chemicals, including any artificial ingredients, petroleum, parabens, dyes, or anything that could harm your baby.
It contains most of the ingredients other creams have, but aloe vera is an essential part of it, which is approved by many, as aloe vera is known for its numerous benefits.
Tiny Human has another mission besides providing you with the best solution for nipple pain.
Those who purchase this cream help a hungry child.
This brand has a partnership with Children’s Hunger Fund and they donate money from every purchase of their product.
This humanitarian act made me become their buyer, even though I now use this cream for my elbows most of the time.
11. Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter
- Comes with (3) 2-fluid Ounce bottles
- With organic herbs traditionally used to soothe and moisturize nipples and dry skin
- NO petroleum, parabens, or lanolin - no need to wash it off before nursing
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Earth Mama, as the name says, takes care of the Earth and you, what can be better than that?
In fact, it’s considered to be one of the best nipple creams for breastfeeding.
They use beeswax for their product, but this wax is gathered in a bee-centric way, so it doesn’t harm bees at all.
The organic nipple butter is clinically tested for irritation and approved by doctors who use it in hospital NICUs.
Besides beeswax, this product contains organic herbs which hydrate dry nipples and soothe soreness, as well.
You might feel that beady texture, perhaps, but don’t worry, this is a common texture of unrefined shea butter, which only means it’s even better and of higher quality.
Just remember, this may leave some stains on your bras or shirts, so it’s better to avoid it by using nursing pads.
12. Soothing Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding Moms
- Get Soothing, Moisturizing Relief or Your Money Back thanks to our manufacturer guarantee. Certified Organic nursing cream for cracked and irritated skin.
- Perfect For Chapped, Irritated Skin. Nipple cream will boost healing while protecting from chaffing and excess moisture.
- Safe For Nursing Moms and Babies.
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Completely made out of natural ingredients, this is probably one of the most underrated mommy balms, I would say.
I have been using it on and off, from nipple soother to dry feet moisturizer, but I unfairly neglected it because of other products I wanted to try.
When I made this list, it came to my mind because it deserves to be here.
This balm is amazing and it helps reduce irritation, rash, dryness, and soreness.
It also protects from excess moisture.
Era Organics nipple balm is excellent for sensitive skin which requires a lot of attention.
This product doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals or mineral oils, parabens, petroleum, alcohol, etc.
This balm contains:
• arrowroot powder
• chamomile extract
• cocoa butter
• sunflower oil
• apricot oil
• calendula oil
It is packed with medicinal herbs which can be of great use for the time of breastfeeding, but even after it.
Let me share a little secret with you – it’s amazing for treating blisters, too.
The manufacturer does recommend you try it out on your skin before using it just to make sure you’re not allergic to any ingredient.
13. The Honest Company Organic Nipple Balm
- SOOTHE & NOURISH: Our nourishing Organic Nipple Balm is an all-natural, soothing balm that soothes and nourishes tender nursing nipples.
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Honest Organic Nipple Balm Rub is USDA Certified Organic. Sustainably grown and certified organic products contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients and are produced in a way that fosters resourcefulness, balance, and biodiversity.
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With such a powerful name, this nipple cream brand is under a lot of pressure to keep their products clean.
From my perspective, they certainly do, as they make safe baby products that are USDA Certified Organic.
As the name of the brand says, they’re being honest so they state that a minimum of 95% of their product is organic and natural, leaving a bit of space for some chemical compounds.
Ingredients are plant-derived, without using lanolin, gluten, artificial flavors or dyes, petroleum, and common allergens.
All mammas who suffer from common allergies may use this product, but I would recommend testing it first on a small patch of skin.
The Honest Company says it wants to be honest with you about creating an honest product, without any “hidden” chemicals or harmful ingredients for you or your baby.
Best Nipple Creams For Breastfeeding Moms FAQ
Is lanolin safe?
Breastfeeding discomfort is one of the most common reasons why women stop nursing.
After a few feedings, you feel uncomfortable, but after a couple of days, the pain becomes excruciating.
One of the products that have been traditionally used to treat sore and chapped nipples is lanolin.
I remember my first few days of breastfeeding when I had serious pain because my baby couldn’t latch on properly.
I told my mom about it and she immediately brought me a “magic” lanolin cream.
It sure helped a lot, but later on, I read mixed reviews about this product.
Lanolin contains fatty acids from sheep’s wool and alcohol esters.
It’s commonly used in the cosmetic industry, in such as soaps, balms, lubricants, and moisturizing products.
Lanolin salves have been considered to be the best nipple creams for breastfeeding, but this opinion has recently changed.
While this ingredient is safe for both mothers and babies, certain side effects may occur.
The most common one is an allergy to wool or any product related to it.
If you notice any change on your skin after using lanolin, including skin irritation, rash, redness, skin cracking, or bleeding, you should stop using the product or contact your lactation consultant.
These types of creams and balms do stain, so if you want to wear your favorite shirt, I recommend you wear a nursing bra and nursing pads.
How to choose the best cream?
Finding the best nipple creams for breastfeeding might sound easy in theory – it’s just a cream, right?
Not really. There are millions of babies being born every year and that means millions of sore nipples that should be treated.
One cream cannot respond to everyone’s needs, therefore a variety of brands have been created to satisfy different needs.
Thankfully, today we have a lot of options to choose from and there’s no need to use something just because it can’t be replaced with something better.
Several factors should be considered in the search for the best product such as smell and taste, ingredients, price, and whether it has to be wiped off before nursing.
The price depends on the ingredients and the brand name.
Even though most creams are affordable for all budgets, some are more expensive than others.
Just remember that price doesn’t always mark higher or lower quality, so if two products have the same ingredients, there’s no reason to pay more.
The ingredients list should stay as simple as possible so if you’re not sure what something means and can’t find any proper answer, maybe you should skip that one.
Mineral oils, parabens, pesticides, and GMO ingredients are not welcomed, so make sure to avoid these at all costs.
Examine the package before you start using it.
Everything on the label isthere for a reason, make sure to check it before you start using the cream.
I usually wiped off every cream and balm I used while breastfeeding and would recommend doing so — if you wouldn’t like to try it, you shouldn’t let your little one, either.
Conclusion
Becoming a mom is an amazing experience and when you start breastfeeding, it becomes a beautiful journey for you and your munchkin. But, there are a lot of bumps on that road, too.
These bumps are usually very painful for mommies as you get sore and chapped nipples which make every breastfeeding more painful than the last one.
If your nipples hurt and even bleed a little bit, without swelling or redness, it’s nipple pain and it means you need a good nipple cream.
There are a lot of high-quality products today on the market, which is great.
Also, most of them are natural and organic, which means you and your baby are safe from harmful chemicals.
The thing I love is that finally, the cosmetic industry, including baby products, is thinking about environmental issues.
When it comes to nipple creams, you can choose the best organic creams which also protect the planet by producing zero waste and using solar energy.
Just remember, before you start using any cream, you should read the label carefully.
Check whether you have allergies to any of the ingredients from the list just to prevent any discomfort.
The best nipple cream for breastfeeding is the one that responds to your needs and offers you full protection from pain and soreness.
Happy breastfeeding mammas!
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