Best Nipple Creams to Add to Your Breastfeeding Cart

Pumping and nursing are not only a considerable time commitment, but they can take a massive toll on the body both physically and mentally when you’re already navigating so many changes.

1. Soothing Herbs:  Among the Flowers Herbal Nipple Balm

2. Made for Pumping:  Bamboobies Pumping Lubricant

3. Vegan-Friendly:  Anointment Natural Nourishing Nipple Balm

4. Powerful Ingredients:  Bubs & Boobs Co. Boob Balm

5. Cooling Formula:  Mama & Bird Skincare Mama Balm

I remember feeling so overwhelmed as a new mom trying to figure out how to latch my baby (while recovering from a c-section), understanding when to start pumping and learning how to care for my (very cracked) nipples.

Among the many essential tools a breastfeeding mom might need to have on hand, nipple creams can genuinely make a world of difference in soothing and protecting sensitive skin, especially in the first weeks after giving birth.

I’ll never forget when I was breastfeeding my son (my first child) and was endlessly searching and learning about the different nipple balms:  lanolin, lanolin-free, natural ingredients, organic, etc.

I also didn’t realize that some nipple balms require you to wipe them off before pumping or feeding your baby, which completely freaked me out!

Thankfully, the one I used didn’t require wiping off and was made with natural ingredients.

In retrospect, I was having too much lingering, intense pain with breastfeeding (something that even a good nipple cream couldn’t solve). I should have contacted an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for more support.

If this is you, don’t hesitate to find one in your area or one offering virtual appointments.  Find and IBCLC.

There are many nipple cream options available on the market today, so it can be challenging to know which ones are the best or fit the description of what you’re looking for. Or maybe you were like me and didn’t know at all!

We’ve compiled a list of the best nipple creams for pumping and nursing, so if you’re a new mom looking to ease sore or cracked nipples (goodbye, nipple pain!) or want guidance on which one to gift a breastfeeding mom in your life, we’re here to help.

Keep reading to learn more about your next favorite nipple balm to support your feeding journey. 

Our favorite part? They're all sourced from small businesses worldwide. From the US to Canada to Australia, and beyond.

To apply nipple balm or cream, take a pea-sized amount and gently rub it around your nipple and areola.

It’s a great choice to use before feeding or pumping sessions to help offer some much-needed relief and create a soothing barrier on your skin. 

Also, check your jar or tube to see if you need to wipe it off before a feeding session. If your nipple balm contains Vitamin E, it is best to wipe it off before nursing the baby directly.

Keep reading to see our picks for eight of the best nipple creams and balms in no particular order. We love each one as much as the next, and hope you do, too!

It can be challenging to find lanolin-free nipple creams since it’s such a popular ingredient in many nipple balms on the market. This nipple balm is a bestseller in our Postpartum Shop for a reason!

It’s also infused with ultra-soothing lavender and calendula to help ease dry nipples in the early days of nursing.

 Among the Flowers Soothing Nipple Balm is a great option that’s formulated with vitamin E*, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and raw beeswax, making it a super hydrating and soothing nipple cream that’s free from preservatives.

 *Due to the addition of Vitamin E, please wipe it off before nursing or use it after a breastfeeding session. 

Bamboobies Pumping Lubricant is a unique product that is a pumping mom’s best friend. The best part is that it’s under $10!

This lanolin-free lubricant can be applied to nipples or flanges before pumping, allowing a much more comfortable experience. 

Note: It's critical to mention that for the best pumping success, make sure your flanges are correctly sized. Contact an IBCLC with any specific questions.

This hydrating balm is made with coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, olive oil, beeswax, Matricaria flower extract, and cocoa seed butter. It doesn’t need to be wiped off before pumping.

The Anointment   Vegan Nourishing Nipple Balm is Canada’s only vegan nipple butter made with skin-loving organic ingredients such as calendula, marshmallow root, and shea butter.

This balm is designed to relieve the super delicate skin of the nipples, does not need to be wiped off before nursing, and can be applied as required, with the best results when applied to damp skin after bathing!

The Boob Balm by Bubs & Boobs Co. is an Australian-made vegan balm that’s phenomenal at soothing and healing nipples that are feeling the effects of constant pumping and nursing.

It’s truly one of the best products for soothing itchy nipples and forming a protective barrier for nursing moms. I especially love that a woman-owned small business created it.

This balm is made with manuka, tamanu, marshmallow, rosehip, kanuka, pomegranate, avocado, grapeseed oil, mango, and kokum butter.

These unique, quality ingredients result in a natural product made from plant-based ingredients that are  anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, pain and redness relieving, and immensely healing and soothing.

For a versatile product that can be used for many things, consider trying Mama & Bird Skincare’s Mama Balm.

This vegan replenishing cream includes main ingredients like mango butter and camellia oil, which are hydrating, replenishing the skin barrier, cooling, anti-inflammatory, and healing.

This balm is perfect for hydrating your nipples (and anywhere else experiencing dryness!).

It’s recommended to use this product two weeks before you start nursing to adequately condition the skin and then twice a day, and you don’t have to wipe it off before breastfeeding, either.

When the round-the-clock demands of breastfeeding leave you with tender areas and sore nipples, a suitable nipple cream can make a huge difference (but it can’t fix issues with improper latch, the wrong size flange, or tongue/lip tie issues — all common reasons for tender nipples).

The best nipple cream is whatever works perfectly for you and your preferences. Each one we covered offers unique ingredients and benefits.

Make sure to have a jar for your preferred feeding spot at home and one for your diaper bag. Organic, washable nursing pads or breast pads are always a good option to have on hand, too!

Regardless of your choice, what matters most is that you’re focusing on your needs while also providing for your baby.

With the right nipple cream, breastfeeding should remain free of any dryness or encourage a more comfortable feeding experience. Well, that’s the hope, anyway.