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Most women find that using a nipple cream when breastfeeding can soothe sore nipples and even prevent cracked nipples. Finding the best nipple cream that works for you and your baby can make a huge difference to your breastfeeding experience and allow you to continue your journey for longer without being uncomfortable. Most nipple balms contain lanolin: this oil is an incredibly effective emollient which helps to soothe dry or dehydrated skin. Lanolin oil is a secretion from sheep’s skin, best used on healing skin which is why most nipple butters contain the substance.
It is advised that if you are using a lanolin based product when breastfeeding then you should select one that contains 100% pure lanolin as unrefined lanolin is more likely to cause an allergic reaction when ingested by your baby. This is our guide to the best nipple creams for breastfeeding: all products in our list are safe to use on cracked skin as well as for your baby to continue nursing even after the cream has been applied.
1. Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream
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The best breastfeeding cream for nipples is the Lansinoh nipple cream. The Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream is the only lanolin product in the UK to receive the British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval. The 100% natural pure lanolin cream has no taste, no colour, no added ingredients and is fragrance free so it is perfectly safe for your baby to breastfeed without wiping the nipple cream off. The primary aim with Lanisnoh’s cream is to soothe and protect sore and cracked nipples to provide comfort for you but the lanolin product is not only a cream for breastfeeding nipples but can also be used for nappy rash, dry skin and even as a lip balm. It is a really handy item to have in for both you and a newborn.
The Lansinoh nipple creams are available in two size options: 10ml and 40ml which is ideal for having a bottle at home and another in your bag so you would always have one close by. When it comes to creams for nursing, Lansinoh are a number one bestseller on Amazon with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 so they don’t get any better than this item. If you’re looking for the best nipple creams, and one which you can use on your baby as well as yourself, then we can highly recommend Lansinoh.
2. Tommee Tippee Made for Me Breastfeeding Nipple Cream
This is the best nipple cream if you want a product that is free from lanolin. The Tommee Tippee nipple cream contains just three ingredients: avocado oil, shea butter and beeswax, making the nipple butter hypoallergenic with no parabens, petroleum, lanolin or preservatives. This is one of the best nipple creams to help lock in moisture, to help nipples stay soft and to make breastfeeding more comfortable. The three organic ingredients soothe sore nipples and are also safe for your baby.
Tommee Tippee recommended using their nipple cream during the third trimester, in the final weeks before you are due to give birth to your little one, to help prepare for breastfeeding: simply apply a pea size amount once or twice a day. Once your baby has arrived and you’re nursing then apply the cream after each feed or whenever needed. Some women notice an irritation in reaction to lanolin creams, if you are looking to avoid lanolin then we highly recommend the Tommee Tippee nipple creams for breastfeeding.
3. My Expert Midwife No Harm Nipple Balm
Every item in the My Expert Midwife range has been developed by midwives and their No Harm Nipple Balm is yet another amazing product. The 100% natural nipple cream contains the highest quality medical grade lanolin cream to soothe breastfeeding pain whilst also being perfectly safe for your baby. The nipple balm moisturises dry, cracked skin and relieves any soreness you might be experiencing on your nipple.
My Expert Midwife products are 100% natural: alongside the medical grade pure lanolin to protect against chafing and friction, there is coconut oil for deep moisturising and its antibacterial properties and sweet almond oil for nourishment and to promote healthy skin. The 30ml nipple balm is available to buy alone or as part of the My Expert Midwife pregnancy and postnatal pack: it’s definitely one you will want for your hospital bag.
4. Weleda Nipple Balm
This nipple balm by Weleda has been created and developed with midwives and pharmacists to bring you the best version possible. The Weleda nipple balm provides care and protection for sore nipples, cracked skin and chafing. The product is fragrance free which is best when it comes to breastfeeding as you won’t need to wipe it off. Like most nipple creams, the main ingredient is lanolin but the Weledacream also contains organic calendula which has great healing and soothing properties. The active compounds of calendula combat inflammation and promote the formation of new tissue; this is especially beneficial for cracked nipples. The 25g nipple cream is great to put in your bag to allow you to use it whenever necessary. Weleda are a brand you can trust for you and your baby.
5. Maternea Nutri Calming Nipple Balm
The Maternea nutri-calming nipple cream efficiently regenerates and protects ipples from soreness, irritation or cracks that you may be experiencing as a result of breastfeeding your baby. The nipple cream contains purified lanolin, safe for you and baby, alongside a combination of shea butter, natural cocoa and coconut oils to soften and nourish your skin. As with most creams for breastfeeding, the Maternea nipple butter is fragrance free for the benefit of your baby and there is no need to wash off before breastfeeding as the formula is non-medicated. The brand is less known in the UK but Maternea is a worldwide brand specialising in cosmetics for pregnant women. As with all of the items that feature in our list: you don’t need to remove the Maternea product before feeding your little one. The only downside for us is the lack of reviews, the nipple cream is relatively new to the market so not many people have had the chance to get their hands on it. If you decide this is the best nipple cream for you; we’d love to hear your feedback.
Can I use nipple cream during breastfeeding?
Yes you can use nipple creams for breastfeeding throughout your feeding journey and they are perfectly safe for you and your baby. A cream which has been specifically formulated for breastfeeding nipples is going to be best: you know that it is safe for you and your baby and that it won’t negatively impact your feeding journey. In fact, many women comment that finding the right cream actually allowed them to continue breastfeeding after feeling that they couldn’t carry on any longer. All of the products in our list are perfectly safe to use whilst nursing your little one.
What can I put on my nipples while breastfeeding?
It is recommended that you use a specific nipple cream for breastfeeding that has been designed specifically for sore or cracked nipples and is safe for your baby to ingest. The best nipple creams contain pure and refined lanolin alongside other organic ingredients such as shea butter and organic calendula. Organic nipple balm containing natural ingredients is going to provide relief for mums with sensitive skin. All of the creams on our list are safe to use while breastfeeding: they have been specifically designed to protect your skin whilst also being safe for babies. Many experts also recommend allowing your nipples to ‘breathe’ and even applying your own milk to the nipples can help the healing process.
What cream can you put on sore nipples?
Each item within our list is safe to put on sore nipples whilst nursing. Of course, whilst it is important to consider your skin, you also need to consider the health of your newborn first as they will be ingesting the substance. Whilst plant based products such as aloe vera and coconut oil will soothe the skin on your breast, you want to be sure that the product has been tested and contains certified products which will be safe for your baby. We have saved you time by carrying out an extensive search of the most popular products to find the safest and most reliable ones for you and your newborn. If you are selecting an item please read the ingredients list to check that it doesn’t contain any potentially harmful substances for mum or baby.
How often should I apply nipple cream?
You can apply your chosen nipple cream as often as you wish. Some women choose to apply the product after each feed and find that this benefits them. Other women only apply if their nipple is sore or cracked as a way of treating the wound. When it comes to application, thanks to the substance being thick and waxy, a little goes a long way.
Tandem feeders may find that they need cream more, as well as those who breastfeed throughout a new pregnancy. Cold weather can also make skin dry and crack more easily so be sure to have some at hand during winter.
You only need to apply a pea sized amount of the balm to your nipple and rub it in so that a thin layer covers your whole nipple and areola area. It is best to leave your nipple exposed to fresh air as often as possible but when you are covering up, some experts recommend using fresh pads inside your bra to avoid the risk of an infection.
Summary
With so many products on the market when it comes to nipple cream, it can be hard to know which cream is going to be right for you and your baby. Many new mums can be overwhelmed at the pain and discomfort that breastfeeding can cause: afterall we see so few women nursing their babies and when we do see them feed they make it look very easy! An issue a lot of women have is wanting to find a cream that not only helps their nipples to heal quickly but is also safe for a newborn baby to potentially ingest. Throughout our article, we have selected and reviewed 5 of the best nipple butters to take the pressure of you. All of the items on our list are safe to you and your baby. If you do give any of the products a go, or you have used any alternative nipple balms, then we would love for you to get in touch and let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. We hope you find the perfect product for you and your baby to allow you to continue with your breastfeeding journey in comfort.
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