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Home » Wellness Tips » DIY Skincare » Homemade Nipple Cream For Breastfeeding (DIY Nipple Balm)

Homemade Nipple Cream For Breastfeeding (DIY Nipple Balm)

05/03/2021 by fitasamamabear

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

Pinterest image with text: homemade nipple cream in a tin with dried herbs, a wooden spoon and herb infused oil around it this …

This easy-to-make, DIY nipple cream is a great all-natural alternative to a traditional, store-bought ointment.

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 is 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.

Is Coconut Oil Safe To Use When Breastfeeding

Before I whipped up this homemade 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!

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

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.

Container with nipple cream with dried herbs around and on the lotion.

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

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 not had any issues.

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.

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

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.

Quick fact: if you're super nervous about breastfeeding or pumping, check out this online breastfeeding class. It's video-based and goes over everything you need to know to put your mind at ease. 

Looking For More Natural New Mom Products?

If you want to pamper a new mom, stock her up with some goodies from Primally Pure! They're products are all-natural, contain ingredients I can purchase and pronounce!

They even have an amazing baby line (with natural options like this baby balm)

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!

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbs dried Calendula flowers
  • 1.5 tbs dried Lavender flowers
  • ½ cup Coconut oil, melted (about ¼ hard)
  • 1 tbs Shea butter

Tools You’ll Need

  • A double boiler
  • Small mini whisk
  • Container to store the nipple cream

Grab all the ingredients you need from my DIY Pantry Staples.

How To Make Make The Nipple Cream For Breastfeeding

Begin by infusing the oils.

Mason jaw with a rred measuring cup of oil, butter, flowers and a yellow linen around it

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.

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

Mason jar with lotion ingredients in a pot of water with dried flowers and a yellow linen behind it

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

Hand holding a mason jar pouring melted lotion into a red and green tin surrounded by dried flowers and a yellow linen


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

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

Pinterest image with text: two images of DIY, herb infused, cracked nipple cream in a red and green tin with dried herbs around it. The bottom image of a jar pouring lotion in

Featured image with text: homemade nipple cream in a tin with dried herbs, a wooden spoon and herb infused oil around it
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Easy DIY Nipple Cream

Help soothe cracked nipples by using this all-natural, homemade nipple cream for breastfeeding! Made with only two ingredients plus the healing herbs of lavender and calendula, this DIY nipple cream is a staple for new moms.
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 4 hours hours
3 hours hours
Total Time 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings 3 containers

Equipment

  • Metal tins
  • Double Boiler
  • Mini Whisk

Ingredients

  • 2 tbs dried calendula flowers
  • 1.5 tbs dried lavender flowers
  • ½ cup coconut oil measured melted
  • 1 tbs shea

Instructions

  • Begin by infusing the oils.
    Mason jaw with a rred measuring cup of oil, butter, flowers and a yellow linen around it
  • 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.
  • Once infused, strain out the herbs using a mesh strainer and reserve the coconut oil in a jar.
  • In a double boiler, combine the shae butter and coconut oil. Heat over low heat until shae butter is fully melted. Whisk to combine.
    Mason jar with lotion ingredients in a pot of water with dried flowers and a yellow linen behind it
  • Pour into a jar to store and place it into the fridge to firm up.
    Hand holding a mason jar pouring melted lotion into a red and green tin surrounded by dried flowers and a yellow linen

Video

Notes

Grab all the ingredients you need from my DIY pantry Staples
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 not had any issues.
Remember, you don’t need a lot to make a difference! Because coconut oil is naturally a bit greasy, it goes on very easily. A little goes a long way.
You can use the nipple lotion as prevention between feeds or apply it more frequently if you’re having trouble with severely cracked nipples.
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.

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.

Shelby aka Mama Bear

fitasamamabear

Meet Shelby – a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Nutrition Coach (PN1) who has spent the last 10 years teaching women how to show up for their goals.

A previous smoker and fast-food junkie turned into a super fit mom of 3, her website, Fitasamamabear.com is a crucial resource for busy moms who need help making fitness and healthy living practical.

See author's posts

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DISCLAIMERS As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.The content on Fit as a Mama Bear is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented here. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No products mentioned are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

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Pinterest image with text: two images of DIY, herb infused, cracked nipple cream in a red and green tin with dried herbs around it. The bottom image of a jar pouring lotion in
Pinterest image with text: homemade boobie balm in a tin with dried herbs, a wooden spoon and herb infused oil around it
Pinterest image with text: homemade boobie balm in a tin with dried herbs, a wooden spoon and herb infused oil around it
Pinterest image with text: homemade boobie balm in a tin with dried herbs, a wooden spoon and herb infused oil around it
Pinterest image with text: homemade boobie balm in a tin with dried herbs, a wooden spoon and herb infused oil around it