The 9 Best Nipple Creams for Breastfeeding of 2023
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Breastfeeding is a unique experience. One minute you’re enjoying this sweet connection between you and your baby. The next minute you’re gritting your teeth as your baby latches on to your cracked nipples.
It’s a bit of a roller coaster! Thankfully, there are plenty of nipple creams on the market to make breastfeeding enjoyable.
With the right nipple cream, you can return to the happy days of peaceful breastfeeding. And if you’re just starting, using a nipple cream to prevent cracked nipples is a great idea. Nipple creams are especially helpful for babies struggling with nipple latch.
Not all nipple creams are created equal, though. So it’s important to know what you’re buying.
If you’re on the hunt for the best nipple cream for breastfeeding, let us help! We’ve made our list of the 9 best nipple creams for nursing mothers. Each cream is broken down by ingredients, safety, and effectiveness.
Top Choice: Earth Mama Organic Nipple Cream
- USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Earth Mama’s Organic Nipple Butter is USDA Certified Organic, made with herbs and oils that are traditionally used to soothe and moisturize hard-working nipples.
- NO petroleum, NO preservatives, and NO lanolin: Our calendula cream is safe for mama and baby so no need to wash or wipe it off before nursing your newborn child to make feeding a breeze.
- TRUSTED BY HOSPITALS: Our nipple butter has been chosen by hospital NICUs, medical professionals, and nurses around the country. We’re on a mission to free mothers from the fear of breastfeeding during the maternity journey.
- DERMATOLOGIST AND CLINICALLY TESTED FOR IRRITATION. Not only does our nipple butter help soothe nipples before and after breastfeeding or pumping, it can also be used on other parts of the body. Use on lips, cuticles, or dry skin for intense moisture and relief.
Our pick out of the best nipple creams for breastfeeding is Earth Mama Organic Nipple Cream. Here’s why we love this one:
Quality. With all USDA-certified organic ingredients, like shea butter and extra virgin olive oil, there’s no question about your baby’s safety. No need to research and wonder if you’re making the right choice.
Consistency. With the warmth of your fingertips, this balm transforms into a creamy salve that goes on silky smooth.
Longevity. You will only need a small amount for each feeding session. Many moms found that this tub lasted a year or more.
Versatility. We love that you can use this balm for everything from diaper rashes, to dry elbows, to chapped lips. It’s a product that serves a variety of issues.
Price. For an all-organic formula with a 2 oz tub, we feel like the price is fair. Especially since the reviews speak loudly of its effectiveness.
For these reasons and more, this needs to be in the diaper bag of every breastfeeding mom. This is one of the best nipple creams for nursing mothers looking for relief.
Most Popular: Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding
- 100% NATURAL AND SAFE FOR BABY– No need to remove before breastfeeding. Made with a single natural ingredient, and never any petroleum, parabens, fragrance, or taste
- SOOTHES SORE NIPPLES – Rich, spreadable Lanolin Nipple Cream provides soothing protection for your sore, delicate skin
- DERMATOLOGICALLY TESTED – Comfort you can trust. Dermatologically tested, doctor recommended, and safe for sensitive skin
- ULTRA-PURE AND HYPOALLERGENIC – Created by nature, made better through science. Our unique purification process ensures you get only pure, hypoallergenic lanolin cream with no additives or preservatives
With over 35 years of experience, Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding is a popular choice. You’ll find many hospitals or lactation consulting offices showcasing this one as one of the best nipple creams available.
This nipple cream is made from lanolin. Lanolin is a waxy substance derived from sheep’s wool. It feels similar to Vaseline.
What’s nice is that there are no other ingredients in Lanisoh Lanolin Nipple Cream. Plus, Lanolin is also noted as being safe for babies. This means you don’t have to wash off the nipple cream before breastfeeding.
This cream is perfect for cracked or sensitive nipples. You can even apply it before showering to protect your nipples. Many moms see results fast after applying.
Lanolin is generally regarded as safe but symptoms can occur if large doses are ingested. These symptoms are rare but could include vomiting or diarrhea. The cream is also very greasy, so you should avoid contact with clothing to prevent stains.
Quantity: 1.41 ounces | Lanolin-free?: No
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Most Smooth: Medela Tender Care Lanolin
- DESIGNED FOR MOMS: The Medela Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding was designed for moms who experience discomfort during latching. It glides on smoothly and gently for easy and convenient use.
- 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.
- EASY TO APPLY: This lanolin nipple cream is simple to apply. The no-mess application glides on smoothly and gently. There is also no need to remove it before breastfeeding.
Sometimes lanolin cream can be too thick to apply to cracked nipples. Trying to smear on even a pea-sized amount can feel like sandpaper to bleeding, tender nipples. This is where Medela Tender Care Lanolin has you covered.
This cream is made with the same lanolin as other nipple creams. The difference is the added ingredients.
Medela Tender Care Lanolin is creamier than most lanolin nipple creams thanks to Caprylic Capric Triglycerides. This is an ingredient made by combining coconut oil and glycerin. It also includes glucan derived from oats for extra moisture.
Like most lanolin nipple creams, you won’t need to wash this off your breasts before breastfeeding. All the ingredients are safe for your baby. Pumping moms like to use this as a pump lubricant as well.
As for its performance, many new moms swear by this lanolin nipple cream. They note that it doesn’t irritate cracked nipples when applied. It also isn’t as greasy as plain lanolin.
Some moms prefer to avoid creams with lanolin due to mixed reviews on safety. However, lanolin creams are a popular choice among hospital and medical professionals.
Quantity: 1.3 ounces, 2 ounces | Lanolin-free?: No
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Best Organic: Earth Mama Organic Nipple Cream
- USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Earth Mama’s Organic Nipple Butter is USDA Certified Organic, made with herbs and oils that are traditionally used to soothe and moisturize hard-working nipples.
- NO petroleum, NO preservatives, and NO lanolin: Our calendula cream is safe for mama and baby so no need to wash or wipe it off before nursing your newborn child to make feeding a breeze.
- TRUSTED BY HOSPITALS: Our nipple butter has been chosen by hospital NICUs, medical professionals, and nurses around the country. We’re on a mission to free mothers from the fear of breastfeeding during the maternity journey.
- DERMATOLOGIST AND CLINICALLY TESTED FOR IRRITATION. Not only does our nipple butter help soothe nipples before and after breastfeeding or pumping, it can also be used on other parts of the body. Use on lips, cuticles, or dry skin for intense moisture and relief.
If you’re looking for a nipple cream with ingredients you will love, we’ve got you. Meet Earth Mama Organic Nipple Cream. This is one of the best organic creams for sore nipples.
It’s formulated with no parabens, preservatives, or nasty ingredients.
One ingredient that raises concerns for some parents is lanolin. Though it’s generally regarded as safe, some parents prefer to avoid it altogether.
This lanolin-free formula uses cocoa butter, shea butter, olive oil, mango butter, and calendula flower extract. All these natural ingredients soothe sore nipples and are safe for your baby. So you won’t need to wipe off the cream before breastfeeding.
This Earth Mama cream also serves a variety of purposes. For chapped lips, use this cream as natural chapstick. For diaper rashes, apply the cream to create a protective barrier on your baby’s bum.
When using this natural nipple cream for nipple pain, gently apply a small amount before breastfeeding or pumping. You can use it after breastfeeding as well, just know that this does tend to stain. Using nursing pads will keep stains away from your bra or clothes.
Breastfeeding moms rave about this cream’s ability to soothe sore nipples. The creamy formula from Earth Mama is also often preferred over thicker lanolin ointments.
Quantity: 2 ounces | Lanolin-free?: Yes
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Best Plant-Based: Motherlove Nipple Cream
- ORGANIC & LANOLIN-FREE: Motherlove’s organic Nipple Cream for breastfeeding provides relief to damaged nursing nipples. Nipple Cream is unscented, free of lanolin, and does not need to be removed prior to nursing.
- MULTI-USE FORMULA: Use as a pump lubricant; apply a thin layer of this nipple butter to the inside of the pump flange. Also helps to soothe sore nipples during pregnancy and moisturize dry skin, lips, and cuticles.
- AWARD-WINNING & CLINICALLY TESTED: Clinically tested Nipple Cream has been recognized and awarded by parenting organizations such as The Bump, BabyCenter, and is loved by lactating moms.
- CLEAN INGREDIENTS: Extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, marshmallow root, and calendula flower. All organic. Nothing else.
What’s not to love about nipple creams sourced from nature? Motherlove nipple cream includes natural botanicals like calendula and marshmallow root.
You’ll be happy to know this brand is committed to a formula free of fragrances as well as phthalates, parabens, or lanolin. With additional ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, and shea butter, there’s nothing to fear. All ingredients are perfectly safe for your baby.
At first look, this might seem like a small jar. However, this nipple cream will last a long time. You’ll only need a pea-sized amount for each application.
Many breastfeeding moms adore the jelly-like consistency of Motherlove Nipple Cream. It glides on silky smooth and leaves dry or irritated nipples feeling refreshed. You can also use this organic nipple cream as a pump lubricant, diaper cream, or lip balm.
The formula might cause staining on clothes, so wear a breast pad to avoid that. This product is made with botanical ingredients. So you might want to test your baby for any allergic reaction before widespread use.
Quantity: 1 ounce, 1.5 ounces, 2 ounces | Lanolin-free?: Yes
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Easiest Application: The Honest Company Honest Mama Calm Your Nip Balm
If the little tubs of balm are too messy for your preference, you might opt for a tube. However, most tubes are lanolin formula creams. This is not the case with The Honest Company Honest Mama Calm Your Nip Balm.
This lanolin-free formula comes in a tube for easy application. If you use your cream on the go this will be helpful. The tube leads to less mess and a more targeted application.
The ingredients are all organic and sourced from natural substances. Calm Your Nip Balm is formulated with canola oil, coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, corn starch, jojoba extract, aloe leaf, and soybean oil. No ingredient is unsafe for your baby so there’s no need to wipe it off before breastfeeding.
The natural ingredients also mean this nipple cream is safe to use on any body part that’s dry or irritated. Many women use it for dry elbows, lips, or diaper areas.
While this nipple cream is unscented, it does have a light, natural aroma. A few moms have noted it to be offputting. However, most babies seem to be unbothered by it.
Quantity: 1.75 ounces | Lanolin-free?: Yes
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Best Balm Stick: Nature’s Herbal Nipple Balm
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Made with premium organic oils and butters infused in healing calendula flowers. Our balm is safe for baby and no need to wash it off before nursing – breastfeeding.
- CONVENIENT: Our nipple balm ointment is packed in a large tube for mess-free application! Even better, the tube is so useful as it requires ZERO contact with your fingers, preventing added contamination to the product. Throw one in your purse for on-the-go nursing sessions! Must have pregnancy and new mom staple!
- 2-PACK SET: Two is better than one! And this is especially true for our nipple balm. Carry it with you anywhere! Pack it in your hospital bag! Our luscious balm even doubles as a ultra-healing organic lip balm-butter!
- ULTRA GENTLE: Our entire product line is formulated for ultra-sensitive skin types. This means for you, mom, and for baby. Our products our formulated with certified organic ingredients which are safe for our environment too. Check out all of the products we have to offer, from beauty, skin care, to baby.
We’ve seen nipple butter that comes in a tub, and nipple cream in a tube, but what we haven’t yet covered is nipple balm in a stick. It’s like chapstick meets body butter. Nature’s Herbal Nipple Balm is the best nipple cream in a convenient stick.
Some breastfeeding mothers prefer to keep their fingers out of the process. This organic nipple balm stick allows you to apply the balm directly to your sore nipples. Just apply like lip balm.
The smooth formula is made with organic ingredients including sunflower seed oil, beeswax, olive fruit oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and calendula flower extract. All ingredients are safe for your baby.
The container is bigger than a tube of chapstick but small enough to fit in the pockets of a diaper bag. With the convenient application, you can also apply it to dry cheeks, noses, or lips. A great product to have on hand during winter.
We love that this package comes with two tubes. Expecting mothers can use one tube for dry nipples during pregnancy. The other one is perfect to throw in the hospital bag for breastfeeding when your baby arrives.
Quantity: 1.01 ounces | Lanolin-free?: Yes
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Best Luxury: Era Organics Soothing Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding Moms
- All Natural Nipple Cream For Moms. Get soothing, moisturizing relief with USDA Organic nursing cream for cracked and irritated skin. Help turn irritated skin into calmer, happier looking skin with organic, food grade.
- Breastfeeding Cream Perfect For Chapped, Irritated Skin. Our breastfeeding nipple balm will support delicate, sensitive skin while protecting from chaffing and excess moisture. Powerful anti-irritation ingredients your skin will love.
- Safe For Nursing Moms and Babies. Completely natural nipple balm means no hidden toxins or chemicals, lanolin, paraben, alcohol, and no mineral oil, petroleum, or perfumes. Just nutrient rich ingredients from Nature.
- The Best Results Need The Best Ingredients. Our hypoallergenic, food grade ingredients include: Sunflower Oil, Cocoa Butter, Apricot Oil, Arrowroot Powder, Chamomile Extract, Calendula Oil and more.
After having a baby, your nipples are often aching and your body is tired. So it’s the little things that can boost your morale. Little things like luxury ingredients in your organic nipple butter.
With Era Organics Soothing Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding Moms, it’s almost like a trip to the spa.
Era Organics uses only the best, USDA-certified organic ingredients. This organic nipple butter contains sunflower oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, apricot oil, arrowroot powder, evening primrose oil, chamomile extract, calendula oil, and rosemary extract. All ingredients are proven to soothe, protect, and heal.
The consistency is similar to butter and melts with the warmth of your fingertips. This creamy formula will make for a smooth, pain-free application. The botanical ingredients let off just enough aroma without being overpowering.
This product, like many natural creams, will turn to liquid if kept in a warm environment. So be sure to store it in a cool place to keep it from leaking.
Quantity: 2 ounces | Lanolin-free?: Yes
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Best Set: Frida Mom Sore Nipple Set – Cracked Nipple Saline Spray and No-Mess Nipple Cream
- CRACKED NIPPLE SALINE SPRAY: 2 Fl oz of a soothing, sterile spritz for oh-so sore nips. No nipple dipping required.
- NO-MESS NIPPLE BALM: 1.5 Fl oz of a hydrating salve for sore, broken nips without the mess.
- BREAST CARE ESSENTIALS: Nip that pain in the bud while being safe for baby’s lips.
- SELF CARE ROUTINE. Everything you need to treat + soothe milk makin’ boobs.
Looking for a duo that includes a soothing spray and a protective cream? The Frida Mom Sore Nipple Set is the best nipple cream set that has both options.
Using nothing but saltwater, the cracked nipple spray comes in an aerosol bottle. To soothe tender nipples, spray directly on your breasts. Let them dry completely so your skin can absorb the healing saline solution.
After your breasts are dry, apply a thin layer of the no-mess nipple cream. This nipple cream goes on clear and protects your nipples from further damage. The formula is light and smooth and will not stain your clothing like most nipple creams.
This nipple cream doesn’t boast of simple, natural ingredients like its competitors. However, all ingredients are noted to be safe for your baby.
Many moms loved the cooling effect of the saline spray. When using it in conjunction with the cream, many saw results within a day or two.
Quantity: 2 ounces spray + 1.5 ounces balm | Lanolin-free?: Yes
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Best Alternative: Silverette The Original Silver Nursing Cups
- Silverette are small cups crafted out of pure 925 silver that fits over and helps to protect nipples while breastfeeding.
- Breast Feeding Essentials: Silverette cups are easy and comfortable to use-no other cream or lotions are needed. In addition, SILVERETTE is the lightest healing cup available: one cup weighs only 0.1 oz.
- SILVERETTE’s anatomical shape has been developed to fit any size nipple without compressing it. The rounded apex and shape let air circulate, and the edges are folded by hand to avoid pain.
- The Original Nipple Protector Sheild for Nursing Newborns: SILVERETTE are the ORIGINAL silver nursing cups and breast shields that fully licensed silversmiths have crafted in Italy to provide sore nipples relief.
Some breastfeeding moms want nipple protection without messy creams. Silverette Original Nursing Cups might be the perfect alternative.
These cups are created with pure silver and don’t require any cream. The cups are designed to fit your nipples and protect them from rubbing or chaffing. You can even wear them under your bra without noticeability.
You might be wondering how they work to heal and soothe your cracked, sore, or even bleeding nipples. Silver has natural properties that help irritated skin heal quickly. To speed up healing you can even add a few drops of expressed breast milk into the cups before applying.
Since there are no other ingredients used with these cups, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your baby. And the silver cups will not affect the taste of your breast milk. Moms rave about how well these cups work to prevent sore nipples and heal cracks quickly.
While this might not be a traditional nipple balm, it’s a great alternative for moms looking for relief without cream.
Quantity: 2 nursing cups | Lanolin-free?: Yes
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Recommended Accessories
Breastfeeding can be a challenge. However, there are many products available to help make the experience comfortable and smooth. Nipple creams are just one among many options.
These are our favorite accessories for nursing:
- Pacifier (To give mom’s nipples a break.)
- Nursing Tank
- Nursing Bra
- Nipple Shield
- Cotton nursing pads
FAQ
What should I look for in a nipple cream?
When looking for nipple cream, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
- First, you’ll need to decide if you’re okay with lanolin, or if you’d prefer a cream without it. For some, this is no big deal. For others, it might rule the entire decision-making process. Lanolin is generally considered safe for babies. There are, however, plenty who disagree.
- Second, you’ll want to look at the consistency of the formula. If you have highly sensitive nipples, you’ll want something smooth. Thicker formulas will be harder to apply without pain to cracked nipples.
- Third, you’ll want to make sure it’s safe for your baby. You want a cream that you don’t have to wipe off before your baby nurses.
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