In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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We tested nipple creams from popular suppliers, like Honest, Lansinoh, Weleda, and more to find the best
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Abriah Wofford ⋅ Senior Research Analyst ⋅ May 28, 2024
The Best Nipple Creams
If you want the best way to soothe cracked and sore nipples, we have your relief with our extensive testing of the 7 best nipple creams available today. After researching and selecting the top contenders, our team worked with a newly breastfeeding mom to hands-on test each product to evaluate its soothing ability and ease of application while also paying attention to the ingredients in each cream. While each balm has pros and cons, the ones that came out on top are extra hydrating, long-lasting, and contain organic ingredients when possible. Our recommendations can help you feel good about what you're using and return to your regular feeding routine.
Our selection of nursing gear showcases only the finest products that help make feeding your baby easier. Many moms enjoy our favorite nursing bras that are supportive and comfortable, and top-ranked nursing pads to limit leakage on clothes. We also think a top-ranked nursing pillow is incredibly worthwhile for getting a better angle on successful latching and less pain in your nipples.
Editor's Note: We updated our nipple cream review on May 28, 2024. This update included the addition of how we test and buying advice information.
Weleda Nipple Balm uses a combination of lanolin and other plant-based ingredients such as sunflower seed oil, olive oil, calendula, and beeswax. This mixture provides a perfectly balanced cream that is not too sticky or thin. The formula glides onto the skin smoothly, and thanks to the lanolin, it has enough staying power to create a barrier between skin and clothing. This combination reduces friction while soothing and moisturizing cracked skin. The Weleda cream has no added fragrances, but it is not scent-free. The oils' natural scent is fresh and slightly floral. One tester remarked, “I like the smell; it is light and dissipates quickly.” We like the addition of calendula for its potential antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Weleda comes in an itty bitty tube with a high price tag. You don't need very much of this product for each use, so it will likely last a long time, but it is not the most wallet-friendly choice. The tube is metal, which allows you to get every last drop out of the container, but if the tube is squished while the cap is on, there can be a mini-explosion of cream the next time you open it. Last, calendula and lanolin are possible allergens/irritants for some, so a spot skin check might be in order. If you'd like a non-lanolin option or to get more bang for your buck, the Honest Calm Your Nip Balm is also a highly-rated option that our testers found soothing. Weleda Nipple Balm is one of our top choices for soothing sore nipples, and we think it is perfect for almost every nursing mother.
Weleda Nipple Balm has a thick consistency without feeling too sticky.
The Honest Calm Your Nip Balm is a lanolin-free nipple cream that combines organic oils, including canola, coconut shea butter, and others. The unusual addition of corn starch helps give this product a thicker, creamier texture than oil-based balms. We feel that it stays in place, and you can slather on a thicker layer of the product without worrying about drips or excessive greasiness. In our experience, lanolin is king when forming a barrier to hold in moisture and protect against chaffing, but this Honest balm comes in a very close second. As our breastfeeding tester said, “I love how easy it is to apply and appreciate that it is not as sticky as some of the other options.”
It is worth noting that this cream has no added fragrances, but like many products we tested, it has a slight scent that some might find unpleasant. It has a more creamy consistency than other plant-based options but is still not as intense as lanolin products. To get a similar protective barrier, we find you may need to use a lot more of Calm Your Nip more frequently. So, if you want ultimate hydration, this may not be your first pick. If you need more hydration, the Lansinoh Lanolin is ultra-hydrating and wallet-friendly. However, Honest Calm is still the most intense formula that doesn't include animal products. Honest Calm Your Nip Balm is a great choice for extra hydration without lanolin.
Lansinoh Lanolin is the only product in this review that is 100% pure lanolin. Lanolin has a well-earned reputation for being effective at soothing tender nipples. The consistency is thick, sticky, and ultra-hydrating. The gooey texture stays put, creating a long-lasting barrier that prevents additional irritating friction. We like that Lansinoh comes in a squeeze tube, making it easy to open and apply. It is also one of the most affordable products in our lineup, and we appreciate that this cream is budget-friendly.
For some moms, the texture of lanolin is a con. One nursing tester reported, “Lanoish is so thick and sticky that it pulled my skin when I rubbed it in, which was painful for cracked nipples.” Plus, the level of protection may be overkill, depending on your needs. Some users also report that the lanolin can stain any clothing it touches, so be sure to have a nursing pad handy or be prepared for potential stains. If you want to be free of animal products, the Honest Calm Your Nip Balm is a good choice for most to obtain calmer nipples. But if you are at your wit's end trying to alleviate pain from a breastfeeding newborn, then Lansinoh Lanolin may be just the ticket.
The texture of Lansinoh Lanolin will stretch very far before it breaks, meaning it will stay on the skin for a long time.
Bamboobies Boobease is a buttery smooth moisturizer using olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, marshmallow root, and calendula. All of the ingredients are organic, and there are no added fragrances. Our favorite aspect of this product is the consistency. It melts quickly in your fingers for a smooth application that will not irritate sensitive nipples, but it is thick enough to stay put and form a substantial barrier between skin and clothing. Ingredients such as shea butter and calendula help soothe irritated skin, and for those who wish to avoid animal products, Boobease is lanolin-free. One tester remarked, “I'm sensitive to lanolin, so it is nice to find a good alternative.”
This nipple balm is almost twice the price of comparable options. And, coming in a 1 oz container, it may not last as long as needed. This specific blend of ingredients has an unusual smell that some dislike. That said, it is not very strong and fades quickly after application. Our tester felt that Boobease was a bit oily for her, but this is inevitable with a plant-based cream. If this one isn't good for your needs, the Weleda Nipple Balm is an organic lanolin option if your body is happy with lanolin. There are a few comparable products, but Bamboobies is one of our favorite lanolin-free nipple balms. We love the silky texture; this may be perfect for you if you can get past the scent.
We like the silky texture of Bamboobies, and we think you may, too, if you can get past the scent.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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The consistency of Boobease Nipple Balm is perfect, not too thin and not too thick.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Nipple Cream
Many manufacturers advertise their balms as multipurpose, and we tested that by using the products on our elbows, cuticles, lips, and hands. With all this information, we form a well-rounded opinion of which creams are the most hydrating, which are best for chafing prevention, and the ones to use when you need a little extra moisture. We also had nursing mothers try the products over time to give an insider's perspective on how well the creams protect irritated or chaffed nipples. Nipples can be very sensitive, and getting detailed information from breastfeeding mothers was key in choosing award winners and ranking products.
We compared the consistency of each product side-by-side and evaluated factors such as absorbency rate and hydration ability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why Trust GearLab
Abriah Wofford is a Senior Review Editor at BabyGearLab and has been testing mom and baby-related products for over six years. She laid the foundation of this review with many research hours on each nipple cream, its ingredients, and its alternative uses. Justice Wofford, a newly breastfeeding mother, used each product over a multi-week period and commented on her experience with each cream's soothing ability.
We evaluated both lanolin-based products as well as plant-based creams.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Getting a Good Latch
While nipple cream is excellent, continuous or extreme nipple pain may indicate underlying concerns. Aside from some brief or minor soreness, breastfeeding or pumping should not be a difficult or painful experience. According to La Leche League International, if you are experiencing cracked or chapped nipples, it may be due to a problem with the baby's latch, position, suck, or possible infection.
In addition to using a good nipple cream, these tricks may help alleviate some pain:
Avoid wearing tight bras that put extra pressure on your nipples.
Apply a bit of your breastmilk to the nipple area.
Vary your baby's nursing positions.
If you're using one of the best breast pumps, ensure the flanges properly fit your breasts. A lactation consultant or health care professional can help with this.
However, if you are experiencing any unusual or prolonged nipple soreness, contact your doctor or a lactation consultant. Achieving a secure latch is the number one way to relieve nipple pain and to continue providing milk for your baby.
Proper positioning helps achieve a more comfortable latch.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Analysis and Test Results
While paying particular attention to the soothing ability, ease of application, and scents/ingredients, we tested each nipple cream to see which we prefer and which we think you should pass by.
What's the Best Value?
Nipple cream is fairly inexpensive, but that doesn't mean you can't save a little money or make your money count. Lansinoh Lanolin is one of the most affordable products in our review, and you get double the deal because you only need a tiny dab to reach high levels of hydration. Dr. Bronner's Organic Magic Balm has the lowest price per ounce out of all the products we tested. It is not our first choice for sore nipples, but its multifunctional abilities are helpful beyond breastfeeding.
Much-appreciated Baby Gift
Are you heading to a baby shower? Our top-ranked baby gifts lineup can help you select the perfect gift. Don't overlook smaller items, like a tube of nipple cream. The new mom in your life will thank you!
Soothing ability largely depends on the ingredients of the cream. Badger Nursing Balm has lightweight oils that soothe but don't necessarily protect against chafing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Soothing Ability
Your preferred nipple cream may vary depending on your needs. All tested products have ingredients known for their natural soothing potential, but some are more heavy-duty than others.
One of the most critical factors in soothing sore nipples is adding some hydration to dry, cracked skin. Lanolin is the way to go for intense hydration and long-lasting chaff prevention. Lansinoh Lanolin has the thickest texture of all the tested products and high marks in this metric. Many moms swear by its ability to aid in the healing process of even the most distressed skin. Not only does it hydrate, but it creates a slippery barrier that reduces painful friction from your clothing. The texture is so thick that it lasts a long time before being rubbed away or absorbed. However, Lansinoh is overkill in many scenarios; it is goopy and sticky to apply and may stain clothes.
For a lighter-weight formula with lots of staying power, Weleda Nipple Balm is our first choice. It earned a high score for soothing, thanks to its many oils and herbs with natural calming properties. Adding lanolin gives it a thicker texture and extends its wear. Unless necessary, we prefer balms that are not sticky during application and absorb quickly into the skin. The least soothing product we encountered was the Motherlove Nipple Cream. When using this oil-based product, we felt it was too runny to stay put and did not soak into the skin quickly enough to lock in moisture.
The container that a cream comes in can make a huge difference in how easy it is to apply.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Application
The products in this review come in a variety of containers. Some have plastic squeeze tubes, others are in metal tins, and some come in plastic or glass jars. Each container has its benefits and can be helpful in different scenarios. To gauge the ease of application, we also assess the texture of products to see how smoothly they apply to the skin and if they cause any unnecessary irritation from a grainy or sticky consistency.
We feel the squeeze tubes are the best at dispensing; they are easy to open and get precisely the right amount of product on your finger. There is also less risk of debris, dust, or hair getting into the cream or contamination created by fingers in tubs. Nipple balms in a tin are handy in a diaper bag or purse, but the product's firmer texture usually takes some warming up before it is spreadable. Honest Calm Your Nip Balm earned one of the highest scores for ease of application because it comes in a plastic squeeze tube and has a super smooth consistency that is easy on the skin.
The flip cap of the Medela Tender Care is easy to open with one hand.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Regarding texture, the easiest and smoothest creams to apply are Weleda and Boobease. They glide onto the skin like butter and do not pull the skin or have a grainy texture. Our least favorite product to apply is Earth Mama Natural Nipple Butter. Our tub had many small chunks in the product that are uncomfortable on the skin and do not melt at body temperature, so you have to pick them off individually.
Earth Mama Nipple Butter has a good texture, but the small white beads are uncomfortable when applying.
Even when warmed between the fingers, the beads do not melt or disperse.
Perks of a Proper Latch
Nipple cream may hydrate dry and chapped skin, but there's no substitute for a good latch. If the pain continues or worsens, talk to a doctor or lactation consultant about what can help.
Scents and Ingredients
None of the nipple creams we tested have added fragrances; however, some ingredients have a natural scent that permeates the mixture. This lack of added elements is good news for those with sensitive skin who want to keep additives to a bare minimum, but it can also mean less pleasant smells will be wafting around your baby's food source.
In our opinion, the two best smelling products are from Dr. Bronner's and Weleda. Weleda has a slightly floral aroma, thanks to the sunflower oil found in the mixture. Dr. Bronner's Organic Magic Balm has one of the creams' most subtle scents. It is barely noticeable with your nose up to the tin and disappears entirely when applied to the skin, making it a good choice for those sensitive sniffers. Earth Mama, Boobease, and Motherlove all list olive oil as their first ingredient, so olive oil is what you smell. While not exactly unpleasant, it is a scent that some people would choose to wear if there were other options.
Boobease uses olive oil as a base, which is very hydrating but may not be everyone's favorite scent.
Weleda Nipple Balm is one of the best smelling products in the group.
All of the products included in this review are plant or lanolin-based. Lanolin is a tried and true moisturizer extracted from sheep's wool after shearing. Many cosmetic products such as lip balm, lotion, and diaper creams use lanolin in some form. Plant-based options usually have a base made from fruit or nut oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or sunflower seed oil combined with beeswax to create a more stable texture. Often, other oils are added for additional soothing properties. Weleda Nipple Cream is the only product we tested using lanolin and plant-based oils. We love the combination and feel it works very well for most skin types.
We tested products with a wide variety of ingredients, and each has its pros and cons.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Feeding your baby can be challenging, and while chapped nipples are reasonably common in the early stages of breastfeeding, coping with nipple pain is surely a frustrating hurdle. You know it won't last forever, and you are not going through it alone. Our favorite nipple creams can be a lifesaver when tending to your sore skin, and adding one to your nursing routine can save you a lot of irritation later down the road. We hope our extensive hands-on testing process can help you find the best product to fit your needs and budget.
