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If breastfeeding has left you with sore, cracked nipples, this single-ingredient lanolin cream is the one most midwives reach for. It is a thick, purified lanolin that soothes and protects damaged skin while it heals. It earns its place because it is safe to leave on for feeds, so you are not wiping and reapplying every hour with a hungry baby in your arms. It suits the early weeks of feeding, but the same tube doubles as a balm for chapped lips, dry patches and nappy-area soreness.
What to look for
- Pure lanolin, nothing added. A single-ingredient cream with no preservatives or fragrance is gentler on raw skin and means nothing to remove before a feed.
- Hypoallergenic and taste-free. Check it is odourless and tasteless so your baby is not put off the latch.
- A size that fits your bag. The bigger tube lasts longer at home, while a small tube tucks neatly into a hospital or changing bag.
Our pick
This is a 40ml tube of thick, purified lanolin that you dab on after each feed. A little goes a long way, so warm a small amount between your fingers first, then it spreads more easily. It is best for the tender first weeks of breastfeeding, but it keeps working long after as an all-round balm for dry, cracked skin on lips, hands and elbows. Most parents find one tube sees them through and then some.
You do not need a fancier or pricier formula here. Plain lanolin does the job, and a good latch check from a feeding supporter will often help more than any cream.