When you start breastfeeding, it’s common for your nipples to become dry and cracked, which can be quite painful. The good news is that your nipples heal very fast, especially if you add some nipple cream. But which is the best nipple cream for breastfeeding?
Based on nipple cream reviews, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 nipple creams for breastfeeding that our community loves. Each one has a rating of at least 4.1 stars out of 5 (click through to each nipple cream page to see the current rating).
1. Lansinoh Lanolin
Lansinoh’s Lanolin is a 100% natural, single-ingredient, hypoallergenic product to provide relief for breastfeeding mums by soothing nipple soreness after each feeding.
Marcalan Nipple Cream is a naturally derived, soothing, highly purified blend of lanolins for the effective relief of sore and damaged nipples. One reviewer said this worked great but they “would recommend letting it air dry after applying.”
Medela’s Purelan lanolin is another great option for helping to soothe cracked nipples while breastfeeding. One reviewer said: “Good consistency, not sticky, quite thick, no annoying fragrance, gave an instant relief in cracked and sore nipples.”
A nourishing balm for breastfeeding mothers to moisturise, soothe and protect sore, cracked nipples. GAIA Nipple Balm is lanolin-free and contains organic sunflower oil, organic avocado oil, organic jojoba oil, and organic calendula oil.
MooGoo Natural Nipple Balm is another lanolin-free option. Instead, it contains grape seed oil, beeswax, which is edible, and Hops Extract, a natural, antibacterial preservative.
Best baby products 2022: Tell Me Baby Award winners
We’re delighted to announce the Tell Me Baby 2022 Award Winners!
Unlike many other awards, the Tell Me Baby Award winners aren’t chosen by a panel of judges. They are based on genuine reviews by Australian parents who have used the products – so you know the results can be trusted.
To be eligible to win, a product had to have received at least 25 reviews during the voting period (February 1st 2021 to January 31st, 2022). We then crunched the numbers, looking at the star ratings our review community gave to the products – awarding the prize to the highest-rated baby products during the year.
From car seats to breast pumps, pregnancy tests to vitamins, these are the products Aussie parents genuinely recommend this year.
And the winners are …
Best pram under $900: Edwards & Co Oscar Mx, 4.9 stars
a2 vs Aptamil formula: what’s the difference? It’s a question many parents ask when trying to decide on a baby formula.
Tell Me Baby parents have rated baby formulas they’ve tried and shared their opinions on what has or hasn’t worked for them. Based on their baby formula reviews, we’ve compared a2 Platinum Premium Infant Formula Stage 1 vs Aptamil Gold+ 1 to help with your buying decision.
You can also take a look at our baby formula comparisons to find other highly rated products, according to other parents.
This article contains information about infant formulas. Under the WHO Code, the information presented here is free from advertising and is based on unbiased opinions from parents.
a2 vs Aptamil formula
Before we dive in, let’s talk about protein. There are two main types of protein found in cow’s milk-based baby formula (and breastmilk): whey and casein. Whey digests quickly while casein is digested more slowly. Whey dominant formulas are easier for younger babies to digest. Want to know more? Read our ultimate guide to newborn formula.
a2 Platinum Premium Infant Formula Stage 1
Features
60: 40 whey: casein ratio
1.5 grams protein/100ml
The milk powder in this exclusive formulation contains only the naturally occurring A2 type of beta-casein protein to the exclusion of the A1 type of beta-casein protein, which may help support your baby’s natural digestion.
Parents say they like how easily a2 Platinum Premium Infant Formula Stage 1 formula dissolves. “No lumps are left in the bottom of the bottle like other brands,” said one reviewer.
Another reviewer said they find this product helped with their baby’s reflux.
Cons
On the other hand, some parents said this product is “not great with babies with reflux.” So it really depends on the baby.
Additionally, it’s more expensive and sometimes hard to find. “The formula itself is pricey compared to other formulas,” wrote a parent. “We had issues with availability in our area as not all stores have it.”
Example review
“We came across A2 formula on our third baby after her suffering from bad reflux. As soon as she started it settled with no further issues. Now using for our fourth baby and would recommend for use to my friends and family. Am happy to pay a little more for the great health benefits for my babies. Easy to use scoop and little lip on container to level.”
Aptamil Gold+ Infant Formula is based on cow’s milk protein.
60: 40 whey: casein ratio
1.4 grams protein/100ml
Price
$27.00
Pros
As far as pricing goes this brand is cheaper. Some parents said in their reviews that Aptamil Gold+ 1 was gentle on bub’s tummy.
Cons
Some parents noticed a change in their baby’s poo – but many said it was fine. “Unfortunately, he became really constipated and gassy while on it after 2 weeks,” said one mum.
Example review
“My girls were fed this in the NICU, 6 weeks premature and exclusively Formula fed. We never had ANY issues with this formula and best of all Aptamil offer discounted formula to parents of multiples. We went on to use every stage until my girls were 1, again no issues what so ever!”
a2 vs Aptamil formula? Choosing an infant formula is a personal choice. Every baby is different, so what works for one might not work for another. If you are unsure about which formula to try, speak with your GP or another healthcare professional.
4 best silicone breast pumps
Silicone breast pumps are all the rage right now. They are discreet, there are no cords and they are perfect for pumping, or catching let-down breast milk. But which is the best silicone breast pump?
To help you figure that out, the Tell Me Baby community has rated the best silicone breast pumps they’ve tried, and they’ve shared their opinions on what has or hasn’t, worked for them. (Read all the best breast pump reviews.)
Here are 5 silicone breast pumps the Tell Me Baby community loves. Each one has a rating of at least 3.8 stars out of 5 (click through to each breast pump’s page to see its current ratings).
You can also see our breast pump comparisons to find the top-rated products and tips for buying a breast pump.
1. Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump
A very popular breast pump in the Tell Me Baby community. The Haakaa is made from 100% food-grade silicone and is perfect for discrete and quick milk expression at home or when out and about.
As one reviewer said, “I’ve collected so much milk just by capturing my let down each feed. A definite must have!”
The NUK Jolie Manual Breast Pump features a soft silicone cushion that fits snugly against the nipple, perfect for expressing breastmilk. One mum said: “It was very gentle on my nipples and it was great to see how much milk I had expressed.”
Pigeon Milk Saver Pump can be used to collect breast milk or as a manual pump. As one reviewer wrote: “If trying to save milk to bottle feed your baby later this is great to use.”
If you are looking for the best baby lounger for your baby, use the above baby lounger comparison chart to search by:
Key baby lounger information
Brand
Product
Image
RRP
Star rating (from the Tell Me Baby community)
Number of reviews
An example of a recent review
Best lactation support
In this best lactation support comparison, you can find out what the Tell Me Baby community thinks are the top lactation support products on the market.
Lactation support comparison chart
Click on the product name to read more reviews and product details.
If you are looking for the best steriliser bag for your baby, use the above steriliser bag comparison chart to search by:
Key baby wash information
Brand
Product
Image
RRP
Star rating (from the Tell Me Baby community)
Number of reviews
An example of a recent review
Mum’s genius strategy for visitors after having a baby
There are two types of visitors after you have a baby. The ones who want to hold your little one so you can do housework, and ones who want to do the housework for you so you can hold your baby.
While there’s nothing wrong with either type of visitor (it very much depends on the mum and how she’s recovering), I would have preferred the latter.
For me, those first weeks were an emotional rollercoaster. Breastfeeding was one of the hardest things I’d ever tried to do, and it wasn’t something I was comfortable doing in front of other people. Despite my feelings, I said yes when I wanted to say no. And I smiled and handed over my baby, even though I had that part totally covered.
In the end, I was completely overwhelmed.
I’ve since learned that setting boundaries postpartum – and sticking to them – would have made a huge difference for me.
Recently, a friend sent me an Instagram post from Kelsi, a mum who specialises in postpartum care. The post outlines the boundaries she recommends mums set postpartum. It involves a three-team approach for visitors – and I couldn’t love it more.
Team 1
First of all, she likes to group her visitors into teams of three. Team one covers weeks 0-3 postpartum, and as Kelsi writes, “These are the people who come and provide postpartum support. They are not guests, they are ‘staff’.
“This can be a family member, dear friend, or a postpartum doula who brings food is prepared to do laundry and tidy up the home. Kitchen and all. They play with older kids and walk the dog.”
The only expectation these people have is to look after mum, and not hold the baby (unless mum asks them to).
“Choose these people wisely,” she says. “They are entering a sacred space where the birth energy is still very much alive and the birthing person is open and vulnerable, physically and emotionally.”
Team two
This team comes in weeks 3-6 postpartum. These are the people who you want to come and hold your baby.
“These are the people who will only ask about baby, everything from how they are sleeping to pooping, and will most likely not ask about your birth or how you are,” she writes, adding, “make sure you feel emotionally ready to invite these people into your home.”
Team 3
Last by not least is team three. These visitors can come after week six (or when you’re ready to leave your bubble).
“These are the people who will get you out of the house, playdates, cafe meetups, postnatal yoga,” says Kelsi.
“These are the people you will start seeing when you feel ready to leave your postpartum cocoon, have established and feel comfortable with feeding and a crying baby in public 💕”
Don’t get me wrong, I was excited for everyone to meet my baby, but there was also a lot of healing and adjusting happening (for all of us), and I wanted it to take place inside my safe little bubble with my baby and my partner.
Next time, (if I’m lucky enough), I will do things differently, and Kelsi’s approach seems like a good place to start.
