The nipple ointment our midwife recommends to all of her patients

There is an adage in the world of breastfeeding that says, “If it hurts, something is wrong.” This is true to an extent—if when your baby latches it hurts so bad that you cry out in pain, or if your nipples are very sore in between feeds, and certainly if your nipples are cracked and bleeding, something is probably up. All of these factors warrant a call to your midwife, doctor or a lactation consultant; sometimes when a baby is having trouble latching, the process can be painful.

(To learn more about causes of nipple pain check out When breastfeeding hurts: 7 possible causes and solutions, mama.)

So yes, if it really hurts something is wrong—but the truth is that even in the absence of any problems, in the beginning, breastfeeding just doesn’t feel awesome. A very sensitive part of your body is (presumably) getting a lot more attention than it is used to. It is getting sucked, rubbed, nibbled and pulled up to 12 times per day. It’s bound to be a little uncomfortable, at least.

As a midwife, I make a point of preparing all of my patients for this. Breastfeeding is hard enough and moms put a ton of pressure on themselves for the journey to be perfect. So when an issue creeps up, like sore nipples, it can be easy to feel like you’ve don’t something wrong (spoiler alert: you haven’t).

Mama, there’s a good chance that your sore nipples are normal. And it won’t last forever. Your nipples will adjust in a matter of weeks and breastfeeding will get more comfortable.

Once you’ve gotten the all-clear from your provider and your baby’s provider, it’s time to try a few at-home remedies to relieve nipple soreness.

1. Rub some breast milk into them. Yes, really! Breast milk is magical stuff and its healing properties can help to soothe and heal your tender nipples.

2. Expose your nipples to air. Oxygen is incredibly therapeutic, so letting your nipples get some air can help them to be as healthy as possible.

3. Use nipple ointment. Nipple ointment is a game-changer. It soothes your nipples in between feeds while also keeping the skin nice and healthy so it’s less likely to be damaged. You simply apply to your nipples after the feeding is over and again before the next feeding (no need to wipe off before the baby nurses). Easy-peasy.

When mamas ask me to recommend my favorite nipple ointment, I never hesitate with my answer—Earth Mama Nipple Butter. It’s what I used with all three of my children (especially baby number two who was a ferocious nursing-biter), and the ointment I recommend to every single patient I speak to.

Here’s why I am obsessed:

It’s organic. I am not an “everything-organic-all-the-time” mama, but for certain products, it feels really important to. Nipple ointment is one of them.

It’s free of petroleum, parabens and lanolin. Because it stays on your nipples when the baby eats, it’s important to stay away from any yucky chemicals.

It’s made of deliciously healing botanical ingredients. Little known fact about me—I am an herbalist-in-training (because #midwifelife). But one of my go-to ingredients for all things-skin (including nipples) is chamomile. Earth Mama’s nipple butter contains chamomile, along with organic beeswax, cocoa, shea butter and more.

The texture of this nipple butter is perfect. It melts as you rub it into your skin while managing to maintain a strong enough coating to actually work. I seriously cannot recommend this product enough.

Take heart, mama. Breastfeeding is tough—really tough. But you will get it. And then benefits will be profound.

Earth Mama Organics

Organic Nipple Butter

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$13.99

Soothing sore nipples has never been easier. Earth Mama’s Organic nipple butter is made on safe, healing ingredients that provide both instant relief and long-term healing.

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