Last Updated: Jun 5, 2023 @ 4:31 pm.

Best Organic Nipple Cream: Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream

When it comes to nipple cream, there are two basic options: cream with lanolin and cream without.

Lanolin is renowned for its soothing properties and is the most common ingredient in nipple cream. It is animal-derived, however. And some folks prefer nipple creams that are not lanolin based.

There is no right or wrong answer—in our tests and surveys of readers, both types of cream can be effective.

After surveying over 1000 readers of our parenting books (in print since 1994!), we found one organic (no lanolin) nipple cream that was a top favorite: Earth Mama’s Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream. Here’s why:

What We Liked

• Great for moisturizing. 

• Organic herbs including calendula flower extract.

• No petroleum, parabens or artificial fragrance.

• Beeswax ingredient is ethically sourced.

• No GMO’s.

• No animal-derived ingredients (that is, no lanolin). 

What Needs Work

• Can be allergenic. Some ingredients in this cream (such as shea butter) may cause an allergic reaction. Test it first on a patch of skin before applying.

• Some moms didn’t like the scent. There was a split opinion on Earth Mama’s scent—most were fine with it, but a minority didn’t care for it.

• Pricey.

• Texture can be a bit grainy.

Best Lanolin Nipple Cream: Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream

If you prefer a lanolin-based cream, our top recommendation would be Lansinoh’s Lanolin Nipple Cream. It scored the best among our readers, who found it very soothing . . . and a tiny amount goes a long way!

What We Liked

• 100% natural and hypoallergenic.

• Fine to leave on while breastfeeding.

• No preservatives, parabens or fragrances.

• Single ingredient: lanolin!

• Lansinoh brand has excellent quality reputation.

What Needs Work

• Somewhat sticky—and can be hard to spread.

• Must soften a small amount in your fingers before applying.

• Some babies don’t like the taste.

• Can stain clothes.

• Pricey.

Best Budget Friendly: Medela Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding, 100% All Natural Single Ingredient, New Purelan

No two ways around it—nipple cream can be quite pricey.

When we asked our readers for their best budget-friendly nipple cream recommendations, a clear majority loved this one: Medela.

Soothing, yet easier on the wallet. And if you breastfeed for an extended period of time, you’re going to buy a lot of nipple cream!

What We Liked

• Smoothly applies. 

• Hypoallergenic.

• 100% lanolin.

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• Not vegan-friendly.

Best Plant-Based Cream: Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream and Organic Nipple Balm for Breastfeeding Bundle

If you’re looking for a plant-based cream, our recommendation would be one of our reader favorites: Lansinoh’s  Organic Nipple Balm. (FYI: This article links to a bundle of organic nipple balm plus a tube of lanolin nipple cream. When we refer to a planet-based cream, we are focusing here on the nipple balm, not the tube of lanolin).

We liked the nipple balm’s soothing ability, lighter weight and smooth texture. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Organic ingredients for the nipple palm include sunflower seed oil, olive oil, beeswax, coconut oil; shea butter, calendula flower extract, and argan kernel oil. 

• Doesn’t need to be removed before feeding baby.

• Cruelty-free production.

• Easy to apply.

• No scent.

• Brand has excellent quality reputation.

What Needs Work

• Too greasy, said some of our readers. That was a minority opinion, however.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing baby gear, including high chairs, since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward safety, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Baby Bargains is your independent and unbiased source for expert baby gear reviews.