Nipple creams: what should we take into account when choosing? 2026

Breastfeeding offers a wonderful way to bond with your baby, not to mention many of the benefits it also has for the health of both of you. But as you probably know, breastfeeding is not as easy as you might have initially thought.

On the contrary, it takes a little time to get used to working together, and during the learning process, you are likely to experience some discomfort, particularly sore nipples and dry, sensitive, cracked skin.

Amazon Essentials by Sofia Grainge - Summer 2026 Promotion

Luckily, the good news is that from the moment the baby perfects sucking and latching, the pain and discomfort will most likely disappear. In the meantime, it is possible to find the best nipple cream that will positively help in relieving symptoms.

Simply rubbing a little cream on will promote healing, and can make the breastfeeding experience much easier and more comfortable in the end.

Starting at the beginning: what to look for in a nipple cream?

Not all creams designed for nipples are the same. And with so many options available in specialized stores and supermarkets, it is normal that the task of choosing the most suitable one becomes difficult. There are some guidelines that you could take into account that will make the choosing process easier for you:

• Look at the ingredients. There is no doubt that the most natural and organic options are much better in a nipple cream, since we must not forget that the baby will ingest it while breastfeeding. Therefore, you should stay away from those creams that contain artificial ingredients and are not safe for the baby. Additionally, you should also be aware of other harmful ingredients, such as: parabens, petroleum, and triethanolamine. While, for you, there is also an ingredient that you should avoid because it is extremely dry, and can worsen the quality of the skin over time: alcohol.
• Test the texture. Some balms, creams, and ointments can be incredibly difficult to apply, which can become even more difficult if the area you want to apply it to is sensitive and sore. In these cases, it is best to opt for creams that have a rather soft texture.
• Avoid creams with fragrances. After all, you should not forget that smells, aromas and fragrances probably do not end up improving the breastfeeding process, while the baby, who is sensitive to them, could even refuse to feed. The best creams? Those that not only contain simple natural ingredients, but also do not contain perfume.
• Avoid creams with anesthetic agents. While these types of creams are ideal for relieving and calming nipple pain, they are not at all positive for the baby, as they can numb the little one's mouth enough to affect their sucking abilities.

On the other hand, you may not know that breast milk becomes a safe moisturizer, which is also characterized by being easily available, and can be used to soothe sore nipples. All you have to do is gently rub some expressed breast milk around your nipples every time your baby has finished feeding, and let it air dry.

When might you need a prescription medication?

Although nipple creams are generally easily accessible, sometimes a prescription medication may be necessary. This is what happens, for example, with lacandidiasis, a fungal infection that can appear on the nipples and in the baby's mouth (oralomuguet candidiasis).

In these cases, the treatment of choice is an antifungal medication. While if mastitis (a breast infection) also arises, an antibiotic prescription may also be necessary.

Other discomforts or conditions may also arise, such as dermatitis or any other skin condition of the breast. If this happens, it will most likely need to be treated with steroid creams or ointments.