DIY Nipple Cream For Breastfeeding (Nipple Balm)

Help soothe cracked nipples by using this all-natural, DIY nipple cream made for breastfeeding mamas! Made with only two ingredients plus the healing herbs of lavender and calendula, this homemade nipple cream is a staple for new moms.

Soothing sore and cracked nipples can be tricky for a breastfeeding mom. Knowing that whatever you put on yourself, your kiddo will ingest is stressful too.

Which is why this easy-to-make, DIY nipple cream is a great all-natural alternative to a traditional, store-bought ointment. As a mom of three, I've whipped this balm up more times than I can count because it was so helpful. It's even one of the things I make for other expecting moms as part of a care package.

Don’t let the infused herbs scare you off, this homemade nipple cream is extremely simple to whip up and perfectly soothing for breastfeeding mamas (so are these no-bake lactation cookies!)

Why Is The Nipple Cream Soothing?

This nipple cream uses two herbs to help heal cracked nipples. If you’ve ever breastfed before or are in the middle of it now, you know that your nipples can take a beating.

Moreover, they dry out, crack, and more often than not end up just plain sore from cluster feeding. Likewise, trying to heal cracked nipples is no joke when you’re still feeding. The herbs in this homemade nipple cream help ease those symptoms.

Lavender is a common flower known for its healing properties.

Calendula flowers are one I use frequently in my baby products (like DIY diaper wipe spray and homemade baby butter) because it’s anti-inflammatory and helps heal (check out this calendula salve).

Both of these herbs are healing staples. In fact, they’re actually used in postpartum bath sitz as well! In addition to the herbs, shae butter and coconut oil help hydrate and nourish anything dry. Thus, these ingredients make a potent combo for DIY nipple balm.

How To Infuse Herbs Into Oil For Lotion

There are actually a few ways to infuse herbs! Personally, I use a heat method. Actually, I’ve done both the stovetop as well as the slow cooker and it works well. Plus, both are pretty quick so that helps!

The basics of infusion are:
1. Place the herbs you’re using into a jar
2. Cover the herbs with oil (if using coconut oil, melt first)
3. Cover the jar with a lid
4. Use an infusion method of choice (like the slow cooker)
5. When finished, strain the herbs out of the oil using a metal sieve.
6. Store the oil for use

How to Make Nipple Cream For Breastfeeding

Step 1: Begin by infusing the oils.

Step 2: Place the herbs in a small glass jar and cover them with melted coconut oil. Seal with a lid. Place the jar in a slow cooker with a few inches of water and keep on low for 4-6 hours.

Step 3: Once infused, strain out the herbs using a mesh strainer and reserve the coconut oil in a jar.

Step 4: In a double boiler, combine the shae butter and coconut oil. Heat over low heat until shae butter is fully melted. Whisk to combine.

Step 5: Pour into a jar to store and place into the fridge to firm up.

Can I Use Essential Oils In Place Of Herbs?

Personally, I would advise against it. Essential oils are potent. Furthermore, just one drop contains pounds and pounds of pressed herbs. Similarly, since no essential oils are safe for kids under one, it’s not something I would trust them to consume (learn more about essential oil safety)

Remember, essential oils shouldn’t be used on babes even topically. As well, whatever you lather on your nipples your baby will be ingesting.

Thus, it’s better to be safe. The reason that the herb-infused oil is alright is that there is such little concentration in what will make it into the babe's system. However, you do have other options!

If you don’t want to infuse the oil- no problem! Just whip up a homemade cracked nipple butter using only coconut oil and shea butter. It’s still hydrating, safe for your babe, and soothing.

Is Coconut Oil Safe To Use When Breastfeeding?

Before I whipped up this DIY nipple cream for breastfeeding, I chatted to my midwife.

She assured me that coconut oil is a wonderful, natural option to help with sore, cracked nipples. It’s naturally anti-bacterial as well as hydrating. Likewise, calendula and lavender herbs are perfectly safe for babes in small amounts (which is why they’re infused into the oils).

Likewise, coconut oil makes a great healthy fat when whipping up breastfeeding snacks to boost milk supply!

FAQ’s & Tips For Making Homemade Nipple Cream For Breastfeeding

Remember, you don’t need a lot to make a difference! Because coconut oil is naturally a bit greasy, it goes on very easily. Thus, a little goes a long way.

I use shae butter for the nipple cream as it's a soft butter. Cocoa butter is wonderful and one I use a lot, but it firms up the lotion more and would make it harder to rub on.

Make sure to place the mixture into the fridge to cool quickly. If not, the texture of the nipple cream may end up "gritty" as some of the shea butter solidifies faster than the coconut oil.

How To Store It

You can keep this DIY nipple cream in the jar you poured it into in a cool dark place.

So long as you don’t get water into the mixture, the DIY nipple cream should last a few months. I’ve had my creams for 6+ months and have not had any issues.

Learn more about the do's and don'ts of homemade lotions.

How To Use It

To use the DIY nipple cream, get some on top of your finger and gently rub it onto your nipples. Make sure your fingers are clean before you do this.

You can use the nipple lotion as prevention between feeds or apply it more frequently if you’re having trouble with severely cracked nipples.

I personally put it on after every feed for the first few months and throughout the day if they were in pain. Works great on any irritated skin to be honest.

Don’t forget to pin this Homemade Nipple Cream For Breastfeeding!

This DIY nursing balm is the perfect gift for expecting moms. Made with natural ingredients and infused with healing herbs, this homemade nipple cream helps soothe and heal cracked nipples while giving them the hydration they need during cluster feeding.