Which is more effective for breastfeeding- nipple cream or gel pads?

[Cookethenook]

I didn't try any of this stuff last time around so I'm slightly confused, but as the title says- which is better?

I like the idea of the gel pads as they can be warmed as well as cooled, but I'm just wondering wether they're any better than plain old ice packs and warm towels and how long I'll be using the for, as I believe the pain only really lasts for a few weeks at most.

With the cream (have been looking at lasinoh and a medela one), it seems very expensive for the amount you get and I also looked up where lanolin comes from and was a bit 'eiw' about it. What is the difference between these and using a very rich and natural moisturiser? Pure glycerin is fantastic for sore and cracked skin, so is there any reason why this would be inferior to the specialist stuff?

Any other suggestions for products to aid bfing would be welcome!

I'm still pregnant with DC1 so can't comment on effectiveness, but the other week amazon had the Lansinoh cream with breast pads and the gel pads reduced if you bought them together. Not sure if it's still going on though. Might be worth a look then you don't have to choose!

Haven't used the gel pads,but am using Wilkinsons nipple cream rather than lansinoh this time around. Much cheaper (£3ish) & seems exactly the same.

I would get both, I still remember the pain of getting thrush in my nips and having to use frozen peas to help numb it over the weekend til I could see GP.
This time around I plan to get thrush treatment in advance as due in December and live in the sticks (being snowed in is strong possibility)

Will check out Wilkos cheaper cream though!

Get the Lansinoh cream - I found the pads a lot of faff to heat up/cool down, but the Lansinoh cream is easier. If you get cracked and sore nipples you will want to throw money at the situation, and the cream is great. You may have a friend who has half a tube to give to you - I'm giving my unused cream away.

I second the lanosin cream. You don't have to wash it off before feeding like you might with standard moisturisers, a little goes a long way so although it looks expensive it lasts ages and might be cheaper in the long run. You can easily use it when you're out, when you can't heat/freeze the pads. I'd even go as far as saying it was the single best thing I bought in DCs first few weeks!

Oh and it's fantastic on cracked lips too in winter!

Lansinoh cream is amazing and lasts forever! I had terrible cracked nipples last time and still don't get through a whole tube!

I found the lansinoh too sticky, it was painful to put onto sore nipples. Mothercare do an amazing cream, it's cheaper too. I also had some of the gel pads but they've hardly been used, good if you're engorged but not a substitute for cream, get both or just the cream.

I bought my gel pads in the mothercare sale for £5 they have been brilliant with my 10 day old. I had them last time and they were useful at growth spurts and when I had a blocked duct. DD chewed them and knew they had to be replaced.

Lansinoh was bought on offer at £3.50 last time and it's still good. Certainly getting lots of use as I have latch problems.

Lanolin is hypoallergenic and medical grade Lansinoh can protect and aid healing. I also tried weleda's natural nipple cream and found it needed lots of reapplication and went through a tube quickly. Also tried kamisollen, which was similar and rubbed off very easily.

One thing about Lansinoh, if you do use it, is to rub the small amount you need between your fingers first before putting it on. It's much more pliable (and kinder to put on sore nipples) when it's warm. I used to stick the tube under my leg before a feed to warm it with my winter baby otherwise it was hard to even squeeze some out. But it is lovely stuff and great that it doesn't need wiping off before a feed.

They both have their different uses: the lansinoh cream for cracked and sore nipples, it really is unrivalled and the benefit is you dont need to wash it off before feeds. It actually helps with healing too. Like someone else said if tou get cracked nipples you will be more than willing to throw money at the situaltion. The tube does last a long time so for me it was good value.

The heating cooling pads are good for engorgement, mastitus and blocked ducts - they arent going to help with cracked nipples. Unless you are talking about those tommee tippee single use hydrogel ones.

Id get both.

They both have their different uses: the lansinoh cream for cracked and sore nipples, it really is unrivalled and the benefit is you dont need to wash it off before feeds. It actually helps with healing too. Like someone else said if tou get cracked nipples you will be more than willing to throw money at the situaltion. The tube does last a long time so for me it was good value.

The heating cooling pads are good for engorgement, mastitus and blocked ducts - they arent going to help with cracked nipples. Unless you are talking about those tommee tippee single use hydrogel ones.

Id get both.

Lansinoh cream is fab I use it every single time and haven't had dry or cracked nipples once it isn't that expensive for how long it lasts. I also use the same brand breast pads and they are really good, they don't ruffle in your bra, can't imagine putting anything hot or cold on my nipples at the mo!! Ouch super sensitive from feeding!!