Nipple cream, in my opinion is essential for any one who is pregnant or has a baby. I didn't suffer too badly with sore or dry nipples during my pregnancy, but weirdly enough they were really itchy, which is why I bought this.

Since breastfeeding I've had a very stubborn recurring nipple infection as well as dry, cracked, sore nipples in general (sorry for the TMI!), to the point where if I wear a bra or top that's too tight which rubs against my boobs I'm in agony! I've been using the Avent nipple cream since the last month of my pregnancy as I was reccomended to use a moisturiser specifically for my nipples rather than an all over body moisturiser, as these tend to be quite heavy and nipple cream has healing benefits too due to the ingredients used.

My baby is now almost six months old and I've re-purchased this cream several times to stock up, as I find it to be very effective and it's affordable too. This is available from a wide range of shops including Mothercare and Amazon. I buy mine from Boots as they often have multi-buy offers. Each 30ml tube of the cream is £5.65 which I personally think is brilliant value for money because a little goes a long way and if you're careful and apply a small amount then a tube will last for at least 6 months.

When I first started using this I would lather it on in the hope that it would sort my cracked, sore nipples out faster but too much = big, greasy mess, and a small fingernail sized blob is more than enough for my nipples and aerolas. The cream comes packaged in a rectangular white and pink box which has the Avent logo and a picture of a Mummy and baby. The front of the box has all of the information on it that a consumer needs and there is a run down of what the cream does. Inside the cardboard box is a little plastic tube which is squeezable. The tube is pink and white and again it has the Avent logo along with the product name and the claim that the cream moisturises and softens skin.

The tube has a pink flip lid which opens fine and closes securely. Once the lid is open a little hole is exposed and this is where the product is dispensed from. The lid can be screwed off if you need to decant the cream for whatever reason and this will also come in handy when the product has nearly ran out as I will be able to scrape the last bit out. The hole dispenses the product carefully in small amounts when squeezed, which I like as I hate it when too much comes out. The cream itself is suprisingly thick - I was expecting a lotion-like consistency as this is marketed as a 'light' cream.

The cream is a little like vaseline and it's very smooth so it spreads over the skin evenly. It does need rubbing in else it just sits there like a layer, which can be a little painful but the benefits of the cream are worth it. The cream does make a noticeable difference and it not only relieves itching, soothes my nipples and moisturises but it also helps to heal and protect the skin. I apply this after each feed and although my nipples are still sore and a little dry, they're not cracked or at all itchy - if I don't apply this daily though, they soon become much dryer and start to crack. The cream contains coconut oil and aloe vera, which hydrate the skin and soothe away soreness. Even when I had such cracked skin that I was bleeding, applying this didn't irritate it and it gave me instant relief due to how soothing it is.

The cream, as long as I only apply a small amount absorbs into my skin quickly and although it does leave my nipples with a slight 'sheen', there is no greasy residue. I wear breast pads daily and was worried at first that the cream would transfer onto the pads rather than sinking into my skin, but this is not an issue. I overall reccommend this cream and give it 5/5 stars.