Lanolin & Nipple Creams
Everyday exposureBeauty & personal careAlso called · 8 names▾▴
lanolin nipple cream, nipple balm, sore nipples breastfeeding, cracked nipples, breastfeeding nipple pain, nipple ointment, wool allergy lanolin, nipple cream pregnancy
Breastfeeding care
General information · effects depend on amount, timing, and how it is used. About these sources
Research strength: 2 / 5
This entry covers lanolin-based nipple creams, not every product marketed for nipple care. In Oliveira et al.'s randomized trial of 66 pregnant women, lanolin plus breastfeeding education did not significantly reduce nipple pain or lesions measured on postpartum day 8 compared with education alone. The trial abstract reports postpartum outcomes, not pregnancy outcomes, so it does not measure effects on pregnancy. None of the sources reviewed advise against lanolin during pregnancy. The FDA lists lanolin as an active ingredient in certain over-the-counter skin protectants, but its monograph is not pregnancy guidance. Ask your provider about your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Research strength: 2 / 5
This entry covers lanolin-based nipple creams, not every product marketed for nipple care. In Oliveira et al.'s randomized trial of 66 pregnant women, lanolin plus breastfeeding education did not significantly reduce nipple pain or lesions measured on postpartum day 8 compared with education alone. The trial abstract reports postpartum outcomes, not pregnancy outcomes, so it does not measure effects on pregnancy. None of the sources reviewed advise against lanolin during pregnancy. The FDA lists lanolin as an active ingredient in certain over-the-counter skin protectants, but its monograph is not pregnancy guidance. Ask your provider about your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Research strength: 2 / 5
This entry covers lanolin-based nipple creams, not every product marketed for nipple care. In Oliveira et al.'s randomized trial of 66 pregnant women, lanolin plus breastfeeding education did not significantly reduce nipple pain or lesions measured on postpartum day 8 compared with education alone. The trial abstract reports postpartum outcomes, not pregnancy outcomes, so it does not measure effects on pregnancy. None of the sources reviewed advise against lanolin during pregnancy. The FDA lists lanolin as an active ingredient in certain over-the-counter skin protectants, but its monograph is not pregnancy guidance. Ask your provider about your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Lanolin & Nipple Creams — Breastfeeding
Research strength: 3 / 5
LactMed describes lanolin as traditionally used topically for sore or cracked nipples, but says people with a known wool allergy should not use it. Cochrane's review of four trials involving 656 women found low-quality evidence and no clear best treatment; nothing or expressed milk may help as much or more in the short term. A 2017 randomized trial of 186 breastfeeding women found no significant pain or breastfeeding-outcome advantage over usual care, though lanolin users reported greater satisfaction. A 2026 meta-analysis of four trials with 711 participants found no significant difference between lanolin and expressed milk for nipple cracks or pain, with very low-certainty evidence. LactMed reports no relevant published maternal-level, infant-level or infant-effect information as of September 15, 2026. Ask your provider about your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Sources
- LactMed: LanolinUS government
- EMA/European Commission: Excipients and information for package leafletsEU agencyEuropean guidance
- Cochrane: Interventions for treating painful nipples among breastfeeding womenResearch review
- Jackson and Dennis, Lanolin for the treatment of nipple pain in breastfeeding womenUS government
- Barja-Ore et al., Breast milk compared with lanolin for nipple cracks and painUS government
- Shetty et al., Lanolin, aloe vera, and peppermint for nipple pain and traumaUS government
- Riley and Cesario, Highly purified lanolin versus coconut oilUS government
- NHS: Sore nipplesUK government
- Kirimlidou et al., Interventions for the prevention and management of nipple traumaUS government
Pregnancy
Oliveira et al. (2021) randomized 66 pregnant women to lanolin plus breastfeeding education or standard education. The trial measured nipple pain, nipple trauma, and breastfeeding technique on postpartum day eight and found no significant differences between groups. The abstract reports postpartum maternal outcomes, not pregnancy or fetal outcomes, so it addresses prevention of nipple pain and trauma rather than pregnancy outcomes. LactMed also says lanolin was not useful as a preventive measure when started before delivery; that is an efficacy finding, not a pregnancy-outcome assessment.
Breastfeeding
The available research mainly measures maternal nipple pain and skin trauma, not infant exposure. Cochrane's 2014 review included four trials with 656 women; it rated the pain evidence low quality and found insufficient evidence to recommend one treatment. Jackson and Dennis (2017) randomized 186 women with painful or damaged nipples to lanolin or usual care. They found no significant group difference in pain or other breastfeeding outcomes, although satisfaction was higher with lanolin. Shetty et al. (2024) reviewed 11 studies with 1,495 participants across several interventions and reported reduced nipple pain and trauma with lanolin. Barja-Ore et al. (2026) pooled four trials with 711 participants comparing lanolin with expressed breast milk; they found no significant difference for nipple cracks or pain and rated the evidence very low certainty. A 2026 randomized trial enrolled 47 women, of whom 27 completed six weeks, and suggested coconut oil was more effective than lanolin for nipple trauma and cracking. A June 2026 review included 22 studies of multiple treatments and noted substantial variation, calling for better research. LactMed reports that no relevant published maternal levels, infant levels, or infant effects were found as of September 15, 2026.
This entry covers lanolin-based nipple creams, not every product marketed for nipple care. LactMed describes lanolin as a yellow fat from sheep's wool. It says highly purified products have pesticide and detergent residues removed and natural free alcohols reduced below 1.5%, while a known wool allergy remains a reason not to use lanolin. The FDA's OTC Monograph M016 lists lanolin at 12.5 to 50 percent as an active ingredient in skin protectants; this is not pregnancy or breastfeeding guidance for every product. The EMA and European Commission's excipient table lists topical wool fat (lanolin) and notes that it may cause local skin reactions, such as contact dermatitis.
What was tested
Oliveira et al. (2021): randomized trial of 66 pregnant women; lanolin plus education versus standard education; maternal pain, nipple trauma, and feeding technique measured on postpartum day eight. Jackson and Dennis (2017): randomized trial of 186 breastfeeding women with nipple pain or damage; lanolin versus usual care; pain, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, self-efficacy, and satisfaction were measured. Cochrane (2014): four trials, 656 women, and five different interventions; all studies included positioning education in usual care. Shetty et al. (2024): 11 studies and 1,495 participants overall across lanolin, aloe vera, and peppermint interventions. Barja-Ore et al. (2026): four randomized trials and 711 participants comparing expressed breast milk with lanolin for nipple cracks and pain. Riley and Cesario (2026): 97 people agreed to participate, 47 enrolled, and 27 completed six weeks; the study compared coconut oil with lanolin. These papers report maternal nipple outcomes and breastfeeding measures; they do not establish milk levels or infant effects.
How consistently lanolin reduces breastfeeding nipple pain and trauma
- Source A says
- LactMed says lanolin appears effective and describes a 2024 review reporting lower pain and trauma with lanolin. (LactMed, Lanolin, Shetty et al., Effectiveness of lanolin, aloe vera, and peppermint on nipple pain and trauma)
- Source B says
- Cochrane found low-quality evidence and no clearly best treatment; a 2017 randomized trial found no significant advantage over usual care; and a 2026 meta-analysis found no significant difference from expressed breast milk, with very low-certainty evidence. A small 2026 trial reported better nipple-trauma results with coconut oil than lanolin. (Dennis, Jackson, and Watson, Interventions for treating painful nipples among breastfeeding women, Jackson and Dennis, Lanolin for the treatment of nipple pain in breastfeeding women, Barja-Ore et al., Breast milk compared with lanolin for nipple cracks and pain, Riley and Cesario, Highly purified anhydrous lanolin versus extra-virgin coconut oil)
- Why they differ
- The studies compared lanolin with different options, including routine care, expressed breast milk, and coconut oil. They also measured different pain and healing outcomes. The 2026 breast-milk comparison rated its evidence very low certainty, and the 2026 coconut-oil trial had high attrition.
- What the evidence shows overall
- The evidence supports lanolin as one topical option, but does not show it is consistently better than other approaches. The 2024 review reported benefit, while the Cochrane review, the 2017 trial, and the 2026 comparison with expressed breast milk did not show a reliable advantage. The 2026 coconut-oil result is early because few participants completed the study. These findings concern maternal nipple symptoms; LactMed reports no published milk-level or infant-effect information as of September 15, 2026.
- The NHS says the most common cause of nipple pain is a poor latch and points to a midwife, health visitor, or breastfeeding specialist for help. (NHS: Sore nipples)
- The NHS says to get help early for cracked or bleeding nipples because this increases infection risk. (NHS: Sore nipples)
- Cochrane found insufficient evidence to recommend one treatment for nipple pain; applying nothing or expressed breast milk may be equally or more helpful in the short term. (Cochrane: Interventions for treating painful nipples among breastfeeding women)
- LactMed says people with a known wool allergy should not use lanolin, including highly purified products. (LactMed: Lanolin)
General research, not specific to pregnancy.
LactMed says people with a known wool allergy should not use lanolin. The EMA and European Commission's medicinal-excipient table warns that topical wool fat may cause local skin reactions such as contact dermatitis.
- LactMed says even highly purified lanolin should not be used by people with a known wool allergy. (LactMed, Lanolin)
- The EMA and European Commission table lists topical wool fat (lanolin) and states that it may cause local skin reactions, such as contact dermatitis. (EMA and European Commission, Excipients and information for package leaflets, Revision 5)
Experiences from moms and non-medical voices. Not medical evidence.
- LactMed, LanolinUS governmentSecondaryPage dated 2026-09-15
- Dennis, Jackson, and Watson, Interventions for treating painful nipples among breastfeeding womenResearch reviewPrimaryIndependent check
- Jackson and Dennis, Lanolin for the treatment of nipple pain in breastfeeding womenUS governmentPrimaryIndependent check
- NHS, Sore nipplesUK governmentSecondaryIndependent check
- Oliveira et al., Lanolin and prenatal health education for prevention of nipple pain and traumaUS governmentPrimaryIndependent check
- FDA OTC Monograph M016, Skin Protectant Drug ProductsDrug company labelSecondary
- Shetty et al., Effectiveness of lanolin, aloe vera, and peppermint on nipple pain and traumaUS governmentPrimaryIndependent check
- Barja-Ore et al., Breast milk compared with lanolin for nipple cracks and painUS governmentPrimaryIndependent check
- Riley and Cesario, Highly purified anhydrous lanolin versus extra-virgin coconut oilUS governmentPrimary
- Kirimlidou et al., Interventions for prevention and management of nipple trauma in breastfeeding womenUS governmentPrimaryIndependent check
- EMA and European Commission, Excipients and information for package leaflets, Revision 5EU agencySecondaryIndependent checkEuropean guidance
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Independent check 2026-10-18
Not yet clinician-reviewed
Ask your provider about your situation.