The Best Nipple Creams

Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter

Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter has everything you are looking for in a nipple cream and more. It is certified USDA Organic and uses no lanolin, petroleum, parabens, or artificial fragrances. It uses an ethically-sourced beeswax base collected using bee-safe practices, making it a more animal-friendly option than creams with lanolin bases. It efficiently soothes and moisturizes your sore, cracked nipples for quick relief and moisturization.

Pros:

• You don’t need to wash it off before nursing
• Fast and effective relief
• You only need to use a little at a time, so each jar will last a while

Cons:

• Oil-based formula can stain fabrics, so it’s best to use with a comfortable bra to protect your clothes
• There are often grainy lumps, which is typical for an organic product, but it can make it harder to spread

Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream

Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream is a doctor-recommended lanolin option that contains no parabens, preservatives, or fragrances, so you never have to worry about chemical additives or other dangerous ingredients. It will coat your nipples and provide an effective barrier while healing and softening painful nipples. For a lanolin option approved by doctors and lactation experts, look no further than this classic cream.

Pros:

• An affordable option for nipple care
• Clinically tested and hypoallergenic
• A little goes a long way, and each tube lasts a while

Cons:

• While it’s safe for babies, the texture can be unappealing to some, so you may want to wash it off before feeding
• Getting it off can be tough

Medela Tender Care Lanolin Nipple Cream

Lanolin nipple creams are known for being effective, but they’re often more expensive than we’d like. That’s not the case with Medela Tender Care Lanolin Nipple Cream, which delivers soothing relief at an affordable price. It uses all-natural ingredients to help soothe and heal your nipples throughout your breastfeeding journey. Many moms who swear by the cream also use it for other skin issues, such as chapped lips and rashes.

Pros:

• It spreads evenly without much effort, making it fast and easy to find relief
• Made of baby-safe, natural ingredients so you can nurse without washing it off
• Great value for the price, especially considering the cream’s versatility

Cons:

• Although it is a lanolin-based cream, it is not as thick as pure lanolin, so it doesn’t last as long
• The yellowish color can stain fabrics, so it’s best to protect your clothes with a dedicated bra

Tiny Human Nipple Crack Nipple Balm

This alternative to lanolin nipple cream from Tiny Human Supply Co. blends seven naturally skin-nourishing ingredients to give you a smooth, soothing balm that offers fast relief and comfort while remaining completely safe and natural for you and your baby. There are no artificial ingredients, and it is cruelty-free, USDA certified organic, and has no odors or tastes that may turn your baby off from your breast.

Pros:

• Coconut, sunflower seed, olive, and calendula oils blend with beeswax, shea butter, and aloe for a super-soothing combination
• Versatile formula for healing chapped skin nearly anywhere
• You don’t have to wash it off to nurse

Cons:

• More difficult to use with a nipple shield or pump
• Pricier than some creams, but the blend of quality ingredients makes it a premium choice

Motherlove Nipple Cream

For a plant-powered nipple cream that works just as well as lanolin-based competitors, Motherlove Nipple Cream is a great choice. This cruelty-free cream is certified USDA Organic and has no petroleum, parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fillers. That means you don’t need to wash it off to feed your baby, and it may even help prevent issues when you use it in advance. Overall this is a wonderful vegan choice that is safe for you and your little one.

Pros:

• Cruelty-free and vegan, making it a great option for people of any faith, religion, or ethical belief system
• Can be used to lubricate breast pumps, reducing chafing and pain
• Produced in a solar-powered plant with a zero-waste policy

Cons:

• A relatively pricier option, but worth it for those who prioritize vegan-friendly ingredients
• Needs to be reapplied more often than many lanolin creams

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it important to have a nipple cream before you start breastfeeding?

In most cases, you won’t need a nipple cream until you actually begin breastfeeding. But many pregnant people like to have some on standby. That way, once their baby is delivered, they already have some ready to use, which may help prevent issues altogether. Most nipple creams are good for dry skin patches and other issues associated with pregnancy as well, so it can be helpful to try out some creams before the baby arrives.

Why do you need a nipple cream?

For many who nurse, breastfeeding is far from a walk in the park, and those first few weeks can leave your nipple sore, cracked, dry, and in pain. Nipple cream helps to soothe them while healing them and providing a barrier against further damage.