10 of the best nipple creams for breastfeeding, to soothe sore nipples

One of the main reasons mums might stop breastfeeding is down to nipple pain, which is why the best nipple cream for breastfeeding is a must have for any new mum. While we know that breastfeeding your baby has lots of benefits and is a great way to bond with them, the nipple pain that comes with it can be very hard to cope with. Any mum who has tried breastfeeding will be very familiar with the breastfeeding pain and nipple irritation. Those red raw, cracked, bleeding nipples make you wince harder than you thought you'd ever wince (apart from during the actual birth, obviously) and might make you think about stopping breastfeeding altogether and swapping to bottle feeding.

One of the best ways to soothe sore nipples is a dedicated cream made especially for breastfeeding boobs. Not any old cream or lotion will do,  nipple cream is a breastfeeding essential that can help to stop the pain and prevent any itchiness, cracked nipples, and bleeding caused by breastfeeding. It will also promote healing, provide moisturiser for your dry nipples and most are safe for baby too.

When choosing a nipple cream for breastfeeding, there are lots of different factors to consider. Nipple creams have different ingredients and it is important to find one which suits you. You will also want to consider price, especially when there are so many newborn essentials. Nipple creams may also have different levels of absorption which is another thing to consider, along with how easy they are to apply, and also if they can stay on while baby feeds and of course, if they are really effective.

Best nipple creams for breastfeeding at a glance:

• Best overall nipple cream: Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream, £9.99
• Best budget nipple cream: Weleda Nipple Balm, £8
• Best nipple cream for quick absorption: My Expert Midwife No Harm Nipple Balm, £16.50
• Best soothing nipple cream: Motherlove Nipple Cream, £12.09
• Best plant-based nipple cream: My Little Coco Baby Mama Soothing Nipple Cream, £9.50

How to choose the best nipple cream for you

There are a lot of nipple creams to choose from and when you are sore and sleep deprived it can be hard to make a decision as to which is best. We have listed some points to consider below to help you choose.

Price: Nipple creams can range quite widely in price so choose one that fits into your budget.

Effectiveness: Read reviews from other mums and consider what you want the cream to do. Is it for prevention or to promote healing?

Ease of application: Some nipple creams are harder, some greasy and some runnier and this can affect how easy they are to apply and also how messy they are. Also consider if they are packaged in a squeezy tube, a bottle with a pump or just a tub.

Ingredients: Nipple creams sometimes include lanolin, which creates a breathable skin barrier, however, there are many plant-based, natural, or organic nipple creams too.

Absorption: Some nipple creams might be quickly absorbed, while others will remain on the skin for longer.

Cleaning: Check if the cream stains clothes, and if it can be cleaned off easily.

How we chose and tested these nipple creams

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in the field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and for nipple cream we consulted Rachel Fitz-Desorgher, a specialist midwife and feeding consultant, and we listen to what you say as well.

Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe also often hold great insights as to which products mums really like best and why, helping us highlight the products that meet what you really want.

For the essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested, and you can find full reviews from our mum testers provided on the product page. The winners and runners-up for each category then will appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.

When it comes to the best nipple cream for breastfeeding, we considered various things such as budget, safety, absorption, ingredients, effectiveness and application.

Nipple Cream safety

Nipple creams are designed to promote healing as well as preventing sore, cracked nipples. However, as with anything that comes into contact with our babies, it is important to understand how safe they are to use. Most nipple creams can be used while breastfeeding, and even left on while baby feeds. Lanolin, a key ingredient in many nipple creams, is safe to use and non-toxic for both mum and baby. However, because it derives from sheep wool, if you have a wool allergy you should avoid using it. Always check the ingredients of any nipple cream to ensure there are no ingredients which might cause an allergic reaction, or may not suit you. The NHS suggests you should also avoid using soap if you have sore nipples because it is drying, as well as wearing cotton bras and using breast pads. Our expert, Rachel Fitz-Desorgher, also advises: "Most creams and ointments are safe to leave on without the need to wash off before a feed but be aware that even so-called hypo-allergenic brands can cause irritation and sensitivity in some mums and babies. If you are found to have thrush or a bacterial infection then your GP will prescribe the most appropriate cream or ointment and explain how to use it."

Rachel also says that nipple cream might make it difficult for your little one to securely latch on and if you are struggling with sore nipples to get help and advice. She says: "They make the nipple and breast slippery and a baby slipping around on the breast can cause bruising and grazes. The baby has no option but to hang on hard to try and stay attached and this can lead to painfully bitten and cut nipples." She suggests, "it is essential to seek help from a trained professional such as a midwife or infant feeding consultant. They will be able to quickly and safely assess why the damage has been caused in the first place and put strategies in place to support healing and prevent further damage. They may take a swab to test for thrush or bacterial infection and examine your baby’s mouth to check for tongue-tie, thrush and other issues which might be at the root of the problem."

Rachel also advises: "Make sure that your bras are comfy, well-fitting and do not have any seams going over your nipples. Wash them in non-biological, un-perfumed laundry liquid and rinse them thoroughly without adding fabric conditioner. If you use breast pads then change them frequently and, if they are washable, launder them immediately the same way as your bras. No cream or ointment is a suitable substitute for a baby being well positioned on the breast during feeds so always consult a specialist infant feeding consultant and get a thorough check and support before using any products on your breasts."

How often should you use nipple cream?

You can use nipple cream as required, however, as a guide, you can apply it after each feed. Simply use a peas size amount and apply it directly to your nipples once your little one has finished feeding. Check the usage instructions for each different nipple cream to ensure you apply the right amount. Also, most nipple creams can be left on when baby feeds and will not need to be wiped off.

Rachel Fitz-Desorgher suggests you might not need to start with nipple cream straightaway, explaining, "in the first few days after birth, whether or not women choose to breastfeed, hormones cause the nipples and areolas to feel warm and tingly - a sensation not dissimilar to friction burn - and many women panic that they are getting sore and damaged when they are not. A check with a midwife or infant feeding supporter can provide reassurance and guidance and simply squeezing out one or two drops of milk after each feed and smearing it over the nipples and areolas has been shown to reduce discomfort during these early days."

Types of nipple cream

You can choose from various types of nipple cream. The main choice to consider are the ingredients and whether you want a nipple cream including lanolin, which is derived from sheep wool. There are all natural nipple creams, completely plant-based nipple creams and also completely organic nipple creams. Ingredients can include beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter. You might also want to think about the consistency. Some brands are balms which are thicker and might be sticky, some are creams which might be easier absorbed and thinner, or more lightweight. Alternatively there are thicker nipple butters and also nipple creams which contain oils and therefore could be more greasy.

The best nipple creams 2024

What does nipple cream do?

Nipple cream replaces the natural moisture in the skin to prevent your nipples from drying out, and becoming cracked and sore. It can also create a natural moisture barrier for your skin to help soothe and protect it. You can start to use nipple cream when pregnant to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding.

However, Rachel Fitz-Desorgher reminds us that it is not always necessary explaining: "Nipples are highly evolved over millions of years to be just perfect for the job of breastfeeding. The skin of the nipples is of a type that can withstand regular and prolonged periods of suckling and feeding and is wrinkled so that they can be safely stretched and pulled during feeds without coming to harm." She continues, "nipples and breasts need no preparation at all in advance of baby being born and they come with their own built-in moisturising system to help prevent, soothe and, if necessary, heal any little nicks and grazes once baby is here and breastfeeding gets started."

Nipple cream also has multiple other uses as well. Some can also be used as nappy creams, as well as lip balms and for any areas of troublesome dry skin.

Is nipple cream safe when breastfeeding?

Yes, nipple cream is designed for women to use when they're breastfeeding. Therefore, it is safe to use all through the breastfeeding period. Having said that, it's always best to double-check the label before using one. This is to ensure your cream of choice is made from all-natural ingredients that are safe for you and your little one.

Most of these creams are composed of lanolin, an oily substance that's secreted from sheep's skin. However, there are also plant-based creams if you want to avoid using animal products.

Do I need to wipe nipple cream off before feeding?

Most nipple creams are made from ingredients that are safe for your baby and therefore do not need to be wiped off before feeding. However, check the individual instructions on your chosen nipple cream to ensure it can be left on before you feed your baby. Some nipple creams do state they need to be wiped off before feeing.

Lanolin vs lanolin free nipple cream - which is best?

It is a personal choice. Lanolin is derived from sheep so if you are uncomfortable with using an animal product, or you have an allergy to wool, you should choose a plant-based nipple cream. It is thought lanolin creates a protective barrier on your skin to protect and soothe it, as well as moisturising, however, plant ingredients such as coconut oil, beeswax and olive oil should do the same.

When should I start using nipple cream during pregnancy?

Each mum is different when it comes to when they decide to start using nipple cream. While some choose to start using nipple cream during the final trimester to prepare their nipples for feeding, others start using it as soon as baby is born when they begin to feed.

This is a totally personal decision and is entirely up to you. Your boobs and nipples will change a lot during your pregnancy, and some mums experience dry nipples before they give birth so in these cases, a nipple balm can provide some relief.

When should I apply nipple cream?

This is completely up to you, but it is generally recommended to apply nipple cream right after feeding. This is so that the formula can be absorbed into your skin and work its magic before your next feed. Rachel Fitz-Desorgher advises, "if you do decide to use a cream or ointment then use no more than a tiny smear over your nipples, avoid getting it over the breast tissue and only apply it after feeds."

Is nipple cream essential?

Even though many mums find nipple creams help with moisturising and healing, "there is, as yet, no scientific basis for using creams, ointments or lotions to speed up or improve healing of damaged nipples" according to our expert, Rachel Fitz -Desorgher. You can moisturise and heal by using your own breast milk, and Rachel advises, "simply keep nipples and areolas lightly moistened and oiled by expressing one or two drops of milk after feeds and lightly smear it over the nipples and areolas". So you may not find you need to use nipple creams as breast milk produces "a moisturising serum which not only keeps nipples soft and supple but also emits a smell that is particularly enticing for babies, leading them to the right place and stimulating their appetite. This amazing serum also helps to prevent infection and, very importantly, by being a little ‘grippy’, it helps baby to anchor securely onto the breast." However, you may find that nipple creams are essential product for you and help heal any soreness, or keep your nipples moisturised.

About the expert

Rachel Fitz-Desorgher is a baby and parenting expert and mother’s mentor. She has four grown-up sons and two grandchildren. Rachel worked as a specialist midwife, infant feeding consultant and parenting consultant for over 30 years before deciding to leave midwifery in order to focus her expertise and experience on mentoring women transitioning from the busy world of work to motherhood.

This article was written by Commercial Content Editor, Sophie Knight. Sophie is a journalist and mum of two, and previously edited motherandbaby.com. She is passionate about raising awareness around postnatal depression and is a Mental Health First Aider.