The Best Nipple Creams to Help You Find Relief While Breastfeeding
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members of our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Quick Summary
The best nipple cream is the Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream, according to parent testers in the What to Expect community. When choosing one, lactation consultants and dermatologists prioritize breastfeeding-safe formulas that contain moisturizing ingredients. Nursing moms also appreciate creams and balms that are easy to apply.
$9.02 
Target 
Walmart 
When I took a prenatal breastfeeding class, I learned about the benefits of golden milk, how to get the baby to latch, and the different positions to hold a nursing newborn. What nobody told me — and perhaps was one of the most challenging parts of breastfeeding — was experiencing raw, cracked, sore and bleeding nipples in the early weeks. As it turns out, finding the best nipple creams was part of that solution. (It’s also highly recommended by experts to work with an IBCLC lactation consultant to fix the baby’s latch as it could be contributing to your painful nipples, too.)
I breastfed each of my daughters for about a year, and relied on nipple creams to keep me going, because the skin on my areolas is super sensitive. As both a beauty and parenting editor, I have tested dozens of products during both postpartum periods and have found the best nipple creams that worked for me — and they’ve helped numerous breastfeeding parents in the What to Expect community, too.
How I Chose the Best Nipple Creams
When putting together this guide, I combined expert advice, my personal experience testing select products, and feedback from parent testers in the What to Expect community and editors on staff. I also learned which features and ingredients are most important when shopping for nipple creams by speaking with Dr. Amy Wechsler, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City; Rebecca Agi, M.S., IBCLC, owner of Best Milk LA; and Paula Norcott, IBCLC and BabyBuddha Pumpologist. Their insights greatly shaped the following criteria every product featured on this list had to meet:
- Safe for baby and you: According to Dr. Wechsler, the best nipple cream formula should be something you don’t have to remove before breastfeeding. “If not, you’ll be wiping your nipples and areolas all day long, on and off, and that’s irritating to your skin,” she explains.
- Agi adds that your cream should be free of the following ingredients: petroleum jelly, vitamin E, alcohol, petroleum chemicals, parabens, artificial flavors, and anesthetics.
- Based on this, all of my picks are safe to leave on between feeds or pumping. However, note that Norcott recommends avoiding lanolin when there’s substantial skin breakdown, as it may raise the risk of infection.
- Moisturizing formulas: I searched labels for emollients like cocoa butter, olive oil, beeswax, and shea butter. Medical-grade purified lanolin, a wax secreted by wool-bearing animals such as sheep, was also prioritized.
- Coconut oil appears only in creams where it’s balanced with other safe ingredients, as it can sometimes cause allergies in babies, according to Dr. Wechsler, so you’ll want to be careful when first using it.
- Tried-and-tested feedback from moms: I evaluated multiple nipple creams for texture, absorbency, scent, ease of application, and how my skin felt after use while nursing. I focused on formulas that soothed soreness and stayed put without feeling sticky.
- Because every mom is different, I also combed through hundreds of reviews posted in the What to Expect Community to ensure every pick boasted strong, consistent praise from dozens of parents with varying needs (not just me!).
This mix of expert-backed safety standards, firsthand testing experience (as someone who personally suffered from raw, sore, and bleeding nipples!), and feedback from fellow breastfeeding moms means every cream listed below is worth trying. Instead of searching for relief, scroll on for the best nipple creams proven to work, so you can spend more time focusing on feeding your little one.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Nipple Cream Overall
Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream
- Versatile
- A little goes a long way
- Used by hospitals
- Can stain clothes
Size: 1.41 ounces
Moisturizing ingredients: Lanolin
This clinically-tested, medical-grade lanolin is completely scent- and taste-free. Plus, its hero ingredient, lanolin, is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for its ability to soothe cracked, irritated nipples and is safe for breastfeeding. Made with a hypoallergenic formula comprised of ethically-sourced lanolin, many parents find that it has versatile uses outside of repairing their cracked nipples. For instance, many use it as cream on their little ones’ scratches or as a balm for dry lips.
Personally, I found this to be the most effective product during the first two weeks of breastfeeding, when I experienced cracked, bleeding nipples. It created the thickest barrier on my nipples, allowing the skin to heal underneath between feeds.
Pro tip: Apply it before you take a shower to keep the hot water from further irritating your sore nipples. It really helps!
Best Organic Nipple Cream
Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter
- Organic
- Lasts for a long time
- Versatile
- Some found the texture kind of grainy and greasy
Size: 2 ounces
Moisturizing ingredients: Olive oil, beeswax, cocoa seed butter, shea butter, mango seed butter and calendula flower extract
Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter is rich in hydrating botanical ingredients, and every single one is USDA-Certified organic. In fact, it was the first non-GMO verified nipple cream to hit the market, and has been a favorite among moms for years. It contains just six ingredients, including numerous hydrating butters and other moisturizers like olive oil, beeswax, cocoa seed butter, shea butter, mango seed butter, and calendula. This is an especially great option for moms who are allergic or sensitive to lanolin.
I also used this when breastfeeding both babies, and found that the consistency of the balm really melts into your nipples. I also liked using it for pumping because it creates a nice slip against the flanges. It's a favorite of Norcott's, too, as it's cocoa-based and very nourishing.
Tested by Liz Buxton, mom of one and What to Expect's Shopping Director:
"I switched to Earth Mama after discovering an unfortunate allergy to Lanolin. It really helped soothe my irritated nips and get things back to normal. I also loved that I could use it elsewhere on my body, particularly my hands and lips, which were incredibly chapped postpartum."
Best Lightweight Nipple Cream
Motherlove Nipple Cream
- Organic
- Can be used as a pump lubricant
- Unscented
- Some wish it was thicker
Size: 1 ounces
Moisturizing ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, marshmallow root and calendula flower
This Motherlove Nipple Cream has an organic, all-natural formula that's lanolin-free and creamy, yet surprisingly lightweight and not greasy. It contains just five ingredients, including extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, marshmallow root and calendula flower, making it perfect for those with a lanolin allergy or who prefer to avoid it. Many reviewers rave about how quickly this cream works to soothe painful nipples, and appreciate that it’s unscented to avoid any further irritation to their already-tender nipples.
Best Nipple Balm
The Honest Company Calm Your Nip Balm
- Not too sticky
- Applies smoothly
- Great lubricant for pumping
- Contains canola oil
- Coconut oil can be an allergen
Size: 1.75 ounces
Moisturizing ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, jojoba seed extract and aloe leaf extract
Coconut oil has long been celebrated for its healing abilities, and it’s the star ingredient in this smooth, non-greasy formula. Many moms claim that their babies actually seem to like the taste which means they aren’t fussy about it during feedings. While the texture has a nice slip to it (helpful for pumping), it’s also not too sticky. Norcott also recommends the Honest Company for its simple and gentle ingredients.
What makes this balm different from other creams is that it contains a higher amount of oils, which can improve healing times. Specifically, the use of coconut oil is great for hydration and retaining moisture. Just note that coconut could be an allergen for baby, so you may want to proceed with caution and monitor your child after using it for the first time.
Best Lanolin-Free Nipple Cream
Bamboobies Boob Ease Nipple Balm
- Lanolin-free
- Easy to wipe off
- No smell or added fragrance
- USDA organic
- One mom shared it was hard for baby to latch after applying
Size: 2 ounces
Moisturizing ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, olive oil, beeswax, shea butter and calendula oil extract
For those with lanolin allergies, finding an effective and safe nipple cream is a must. Norcott loves this balm by Bamboobies as it is safe for both mom and baby. It's made with a combination of sunflower seed oil, olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, and calendula oil extract. Together, they create a hydrating, protective, lanolin-free barrier for nursing moms. Even better, a happy mom reported that a little goes a long way, and one jar can last you quite a while — or at least until you and baby have gotten the hang of breastfeeding!
Moms swear by it both before and after nursing sessions, but one mom flagged in the Community that her baby had a challenging time latching when a little was left on her breast.
A Doctor’s Note on Using Nipple Creams Properly
Nipple creams can be a wonderful breastfeeding ally, but don't expect them to work like magic. “If you’re dealing with big cracks, bleeding, or pain that lasts beyond the first 60 seconds of a latch or pumping session, or if things aren’t improving within 3 to 4 days, it’s time to reach out to an IBCLC or healthcare provider,” advises Norcott.
Here are her top tips for getting the most out of your nipple creams:
- Look for food-grade formulas made with cocoa butter, olive oil, beeswax, or shea butter. “These are all safe to leave on between feeds or pumping without having to wash them off,” adds Norcott. “When choosing nipple creams and butters to combat dryness, tenderness, and minor abrasions, choose something edible and emollient.”
- Use your cream sparingly, and let your skin breathe. Norcott tells moms to apply just a thin layer after nursing or pumping; the goal is to create a light, protective barrier. A heavy coating won’t speed healing — in fact, it can trap moisture and actually hinder recovery. “Avoid layering creams with other tools like gel pads or silver nipple covers, as this can trap moisture and delay healing,” she adds.
- Watch out for reactions: Redness, swelling, itching, or a rash after application may signal an allergy. If this happens, stop using the product and gently wash the area with warm water. “Switching to a lanolin-free, food-grade cream often resolves the reaction,” Norcott points out.
Bottom line? Creams are great for moisturizing tender nipples and keeping you comfortable between feedings or pumping sessions. But the root cause of persistent pain, Norcott notes, is “often linked to latch issues, tongue ties, positioning challenges, or other feeding mechanics, not just surface-level irritation. No amount of nipple cream will heal significant damage caused by these underlying issues.”
FAQs Best Nipple Creams
Does nipple cream really work?
Nipple creams and balms work by acting as a barrier to help the area underneath heal. “If you put barrier cream on top of any area of skin that’s irritated or cracked, it lets it heal underneath — especially if the area is going to be continually exposed to something like saliva,” says Dr. Wechsler. “If you’re breastfeeding every one to four hours, it doesn’t give the skin enough time to heal. So that’s why you need a barrier on top.”
It might be best to use nipple cream right from the start, to avoid your nipples from getting really raw, cracked and sore.
“I find nipple balms and lanolin extremely helpful in the early days of breastfeeding,” says Agi. “These balms help soothe and heal nipple soreness, which is so helpful as moms adjust to the new sensations of breastfeeding.”
How do I use nipple cream?
Caring for your nipples is much like having a skincare routine. You can apply a product often — before or after breastfeeding — if it’s a formula deemed safe for the baby. Some advise and choose to wipe it off before nursing, while others keep it on. The pro to wiping it off is that the baby is less likely to ingest it. The con is that the act of rubbing your nipples is potentially another way to irritate them — and it’s just another thing to do when you’re exhausted.
I typically applied nipple products after breastfeeding and before pumping (to help with the slip). Be aware, if you choose a greasier formula (usually the more natural ones), it can stain your bra.
Applying a thick nipple balm before bed also helped me. If you’re lucky enough to get some long stretches of sleep in, it allows more time for your nipples to heal under the formulas.
