Only five ingredients in this homemade baby body butter. Made with the safest, most natural ingredients to leave your babe's skin silky. Plus, this DIY baby lotion can be infused with lavender to help promote relaxation before bed.
Skip the store-bought concoctions and whip up a batch of homemade baby lotion instead
I've long since learned that the lotions and potions we put on our skin are really just a mash-up of chemicals we don't need. Many of the ingredients in traditional lotions alter hormones and are given a higher than acceptable rating on the EWG site.
By the time I had my first babe I was already making my own DIY lotion and homemade lip chaps. So it only made sense to me that I'd be making baby body butter too!
Likewise, there are few things as precious as a baby's skin. It's truly pure. Though it may be naturally soft maintaining this softness is tricky. This homemade baby lotion is ultra creamy and beyond nourishing. Plus, with minimal ingredients, it's easy for even the newest DIY'er to whip up.
Likewise, if you opt to infuse with lavender, it can not only help promote relaxation but soothe the skin when those pesky red bumps show up (lavender is also one of the key ingredients in my homemade postpartum bath bombs)! And while many mamas opt for straight coconut (which will definitely work) the added benefits of butters give DIY baby lotion an advantage.
Infusing The Homemade Baby Butter With Herbs
If you want to really step it up with this DIY baby lotion, take the time to infuse the oil with fresh lavender (lavender is even one of the medicinal herbs you can grow yourself if you want!)! Lavender is my go-to for all things calm related or red bump related.
In fact, I love using lavender essential oil in both my DIY clay face mask to alleviate random red bumps as well as my sleepy time bath bombs. Thus, it only makes sense to use it for homemade baby lotion.
And, infusing oil is actually very simple. You can learn about the tips and tricks of infusing oil but the basics are:
- Place crushed herbs in a dry jar
- Cover the herbs with oil making sure the oil is over the herbs at least 1 inch
- Cap the jar and shake
- Let it sit in a sunny area for 4 ish weeks
- Strain out the herbs
Infused oil lasts roughly one year if you don't get water into it. And lavender-infused oil can be used not only for this DIY baby lotion but also for homemade diaper wipes solution when you need a bit of help with a dry bum.
Likewise, I've also used infused oil for everything from my own homemade body butter to bath bombs and lip chaps. Lavender and chamomile are my favorite combo. I've also read about infusing the oil in the oven for a faster turn around. However, I haven't personally tried it.
Note: you don't NEED to infuse the lotion with herbs- it's optional! The DIY baby butter works just beautifully without the herbs 😉
Can I Just Use Lavender Essential Oil?
This is a personal call. By now, I'm sure by now you've all heard of the benefits of lavender essential oil. And I'll be the first to admit that I've used essential oils on my babe.
However, in the last few years, I've done a lot more reading on the safety of essential oils. With this comes the fact that essential oils (even the kid-safe ones offered by Plant Therapy that I love) are not safe for babies under one year old.
Which means, can you use lavender essential oil in place of the infused herbs? Yes, and it is at your discretion to do so. However, it's not something I'd recommend.
Instead, I'd say to just leave out the lavender! This homemade baby butter is ultra-soothing and hydrating with just the butter and oils. The lavender is simply a perk.
The Texture
Because this homemade baby butter is made with two different oils, it may seem greasy at first. However, it almost melts when it touches the skin and absorbs quickly. It's this grease that helps the baby's skin stay so smooth!
We use this DIY baby lotion every night before bed. It's a great ritual for your baby to get used to and since you have to massage the baby butter in, this alone will help promote relaxation.
Don't Want To Make Your Own Lotion?
You're pregnant. You're busy. You simply want something safe for your babe's skin. I get it. If you don't want to make your own homemade baby butter, I also love this baby balm from Primally Pure. It's all-natural, contains ingredients I can purchase and pronounce and it works wonders!
My youngest is two and I totally still use it. Plus, save 10% off your ENTIRE order when you use code mamabear10. If you're feeling generous, it also makes a thoughtful gift for new mamas!
More Non-Toxic, Homemade Baby Skincare Recipe
It was my goal as a mama to reduce as much exposure to harsh ingredients as possible for my girls. Thus, I've not only made but tried a lot of products.
You can find more of my favorite Natural Baby Products. This list includes literally everything you could need. However, my three staples were:
- this DIY lotion
- DIY wipe spray
- DIY folded wet wipes (I used these for my first and then got lazy and just used the spray and cloth wipes for my second haha)
- kiddo friendly vapor rub though this wasn't used until they were over two years old.
Don't forget to pin this simple, DIY Baby Lotion!
The BEST DIY Beauty Products For Busy Moms
No chemicals, no hidden ingredients, and no fanciness. Just all-natural, good for you skincare.
The DIY Beauty Ebook For Busy Moms contains 21 easy-to-make beauty recipes from lip chaps, to lotions, and scrubs to washes.
You'll also learn the exact tricks I stumbled through on my journey and how to avoid them.
And BONUS, if you're into the self care vibe, this bundle comes with a guide to start journaling, tips to make self-care a habit, as well as the grocery list you need to make everything.. all for just $9.99.
Calming Homemade Baby Body Butter
Equipment
- Double boiler or mason jar
- Mini Whisk
- Mini mason jars for storing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup almond oil
- 2 tbs coconut oil
- 2 tbs beeswax
- 1 tbs cocoa butter
- 1 tbs dried calendula
- 1 tbs dried chamomile
- 2 tbs lavender
Instructions
- Infuse the oils if you haven't already: place the herbs and almond oil into a heat-safe jar. Place the jar into a couple of inches of water in the crockpot for 4-8 hours. Or, use the sunlight method. Crockpot should start at high heat and be placed at low so as not to dammage the herbs,
- Once infused, strain the herbs out of the oil with a mesh sieve and you have infused oil!
- To make the lotion, place all ingredients in a heat-safe jar. Place the jar in a couple inches of water in a pot and bring the water to a slow boil.
- Whisk every so often as the ingredients melt. Once melted, keep on heat for another two to three minutes to make sure it is all combined.
- Remove jar from water. Add in oils if using.
- Pour mixture into a lotion jar (I use mini mason jars for ours) and let cool on the counter overnight (do not whisk/mix/touch).
- By the morning your lotion should be ready to go!
Video
Notes
With only five ingredients, this homemade baby body butter recipe comes together quickly! It's creamy, calming, and will help keep your newborn's skin silky smooth.
Ebba
Hi! I've heard that you are not supposed to use lavender oil in products intended for a baby below 1 years old, apparently its too strong. Otherwise great recipe and thanks for sharing! <3
fitasamamabear
hey Ebba! I've read that also but I've also read it differently. That's why I personally choose to infuse lavender into the almond oil instead of using essential oil. That said, I do know plant therapy has a kid-safe line that includes lavender as it's pre-diluted. It's really just parents' choice I guess!
Alyssa
What would be a good Substitution for the almond oil as my son has a nut allergy? We just made your homemade sunscreen can’t wait to try this cream
fitasamamabear
Any other oil should work, I've used jojoba, apricot kernel, and even homemade dandelion oil!
susan hanna
I make all kinds of salves and infused oils. This is being made for 2 babies due to arrive the end of the month.. Thought it was the perfect compliment to the baby Afghans I made.
fitasamamabear
Aw! This makes my heart happy because I LOVED rubbing this on to my girls after bath time. It sounds like you've created the perfect gift.
Bare Bar
Thanks for sharing the insight in this lovely post!