When should I start using nipple cream?
If this is your first time breastfeeding, you'll likely experience some soreness, which is why most mums start using nipple cream as soon as they begin breastfeeding.
Stock up on nipple cream before you give birth so that you have some to hand as soon as you need it.
How often can I use nipple cream?
There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to the application of nipple cream but many of the mums on our forum said they chose to apply it after a feed to help relieve pain or discomfort after baby has latched.
Many of our recommended creams do not need to be washed off before feeding, but bear in mind that if you use too much just before a feed your nipple may become too slippery and prevent your baby from latching on properly.
Is it safe to use nipple cream?
As always, when it comes to little ones, consult your pharmacist, midwife or GP if there’s anything you’re concerned or unsure about and always read the label to check which ingredients are in the cream you intend to use.
Creams made of organic oils or medical-grade lanolin will almost certainly be fine for both you and your baby. Creams containing petroleum or parabens are safe for skin application, but are not meant to be swallowed so will need washing off before letting your baby latch.
Can you use Vaseline as nipple cream?
Short answer, yes. If you don't want to invest in a dedicated nipple cream then a dab of Vaseline can help. Some women prefer it, while others feel better with a lanolin, or other oil-based product. Just make sure you wipe it off your nipple before you start a feed.
Can you use olive oil as nipple cream?
Yes, applying a small amount of olive oil after breastfeeding can help prevent soreness and you don’t need to wash it off before breastfeeding. Like Vaseline, it provides a cheaper alternative, which some mothers prefer.
What to look for when choosing a nipple cream
Fragrance: Some of our recommended creams are heavily scented whilst others are completely fragrance-free. Most fragrances are created through the inclusion of natural ingredients such as coconut and mango and, whilst they won’t do your baby any harm, some mums prefer to use something unscented so as not to interfere with baby’s feeding, particularly in the early days.
Your needs: Such as if you need a cream that’s vegan, lanolin-free, organic, for sensitive skin etc.
What to do if you’re struggling with breastfeeding
As mums, we’re often told that breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world and whilst this may be true, natural is not necessarily synonymous with easy. If you feel like you’re struggling with breastfeeding then rest assured you’re not alone.
Whilst it’s certainly a wonderful thing, it can be hard at times and we’re all in agreement that the best thing you can do is talk to someone. If you’re fortunate enough to have a support network of other mums, speak to them and we can guarantee others will have gone through the same thing. Our Mumsnet forums also have some insightful reflections and advice when it comes to feeding.
There are also numerous support networks and professional bodies who can help. Your midwife will be on hand to support you through those first few weeks and the NHS have an excellent comprehensive list of places where you can find support with breastfeeding.
On the trickier days remind yourself that it will get easier and that you are giving your baby a wonderful start in life. If things don’t go as smoothly as you’d hope they would, remember you’re doing a great job and as long as you and baby are happy and healthy, the rest will fall into place.
What’s the best nipple cream to buy?
It depends what you want from your nipple cream. We chose Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream as our best overall nipple cream because it’s really raved about, has natural ingredients, soothes and moisturises, and is hypoallergenic.
In case you're wondering, lanolin is a naturally occurring soft and waxy substance that comes from wool-bearing animals, usually sheep. Medical-grade lanolin is used in a wide range of skin and beauty products due to its excellent moisturising qualities. It's also the most common ingredient in popular nipple creams.
It’s considered safe to use during breastfeeding and you don’t need to wash it off before you start a feed. However, around 2% of people are allergic, so if you or your baby experience irritation when using lanolin-based products stop using them immediately and look for alternatives.
How we choose our recommendations
We took to the Mumsnet forums to find the nipple creams that real mums recommended (and the ones they didn't), shortlisting products with overwhelmingly positive reviews across the board.
We then put the top six best nipple creams to the test with independent, unbiased breastfeeding mums who reviewed them over a period of several months. During this time they ranked each cream for ease of application, practicality, versatility, value for money and overall feel/impression. Armed with this extensive research, we compiled our list of the top six best nipple creams currently available along with our pick of the best of the rest. As with all our Mumsnet Reviews and Buyers' Guides, we make every effort to regularly re-visit our recommended products to ensure all listings reflect a good range of affordable, trusted brands readily available.
We consulted experts and healthcare professionals to ensure our recommended products are safe to use and approved by those in the know.
We also looked out for any creams and balms recommended on other best buy lists and trusted industry review sites to ensure we were bringing you a list of the very best nipple creams on the UK market right now.
Finally, we collated all of this research to bring you our list of the 10 best nipple creams for a variety of needs and budgets.
Why you should trust us
Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products.
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.