Change breast pads frequently as moist ones may harbour bacteria and could possibly cause an infection in you or the baby. They are used to protect the nipple and reduce nipple pain. If they are used, it should only be for a day or two and only when the milk is in, as baby will find it difficult to get enough colostrum through the shield. The problem for baby is that it interferes with the amount of milk she is able to get from the breast. So, in actual fact, the wear and tear on the nipple is probably not improved.
Some women find creams soothing for sore and cracked nipples.
Find an oily one. Avoid using anything on the nipple that might dry it out i.e. Soap, nipple sprays with alcohol in them. The nipple is a naturally oily area and doesn t appreciate being dried out. If the nipple isn t too badly affected, leaving them clean and dry will suffice. You could even rub some breast milk into them as breast milk in itself is healing.