Breastfeeding, while challenging at times, is very rewarding. The more flexible your tissue is, the less likely you will have painful cracks and chapping. My Homemade Nipple Cream with Essential Oils can help create healthy skin tissue.
Your baby might ingest nipple cream, so you want to be super careful and add only the best ingredients. This nipple cream fits the bill perfectly! You can even make this cream fully organic. I know this recipe is going to be your favorite mom hack!
Table of Contents
- What Causes Breastfeeding Pain?
- Safe Ingredients for Breastfeeding
- Essential Oils & Homemade Nipple Cream
- Make Calendula-Infused Oil
- Make Homemade Nipple Cream
What Causes Breastfeeding Pain?
Breastfeeding is such a wonderful bonding experience. For a select few, nursing is smooth sailing, but most breastfeeding mothers will attest to their share of challenges. The main challenge that nursing mothers face is breastfeeding pain. This happens for a variety of reasons, including the following.
- Poor latch
- Mastitis
- Clogged milk ducts
- Nipple sensitivity
- Tongue ties
As a lactation consultant, I’ve seen many women frustrated because of nursing struggles. By far, nipple sensitivity is the most common complaint! Before you throw in the towel, I recommend trying this nipple cream DIY.
I can honestly say that no other nipple cream has provided me with such relief! It nourishes from the inside out and protects against future irritations.
Safe Ingredients for Breastfeeding
The best thing about this nipple cream is that you don’t have to worry about harming your baby! Here’s what you need.
Calendula-infused Oil: This is an ingredient you make yourself. Don’t worry; this is a simple DIY. You can even put it in the crockpot!
This infused oil uses a flower that comes from the marigold family. Calendula has been used for years to treat skin issues. It comes in handy when you’re dealing with nipple inflammation!
Cocoa Butter: Cocoa butter is full of antioxidants! It provides instant relief for the skin. I love cocoa butter because it absorbs quickly. It’s great for your skin health and creates a protective barrier over the nipples (1).
Beeswax or Shea Butter: If you want a thicker formula with more staying power, use one of these ingredients! Both are incredible moisturizing on the skin. Beeswax is a natural emollient which means it will help hydrate and improve skin softness. (2)
If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to beeswax, try using shea butter. Shea is a natural emollient, and it helps seal in moisture.
Essential Oils: I love using calming essential oils like lavender in this recipe. Lavender and Roman chamomile are both safe for Mom and baby. They provide a wonderful scent that can help the baby feel peaceful.
Essential Oils & Homemade Nipple Cream
Did you know that you can customize this nipple cream by swapping the essential oils? Essential oils can help with specific breastfeeding issues depending on the blend of oils you use.
When adding essential oils, the key is to use the cream between feedings. Essential oils are absorbed or dissipated within 2 hours.
I usually apply this cream right after breastfeeding, and I don’t have to worry about any residue left at the next feeding time!
My favorite EOs to use in this recipe include:
- Clary sage – Use this oil to start production (I start using this oil at 36-38 weeks pregnant and stop this mixture after birth)
- Chamomile, lavender, geranium & tea tree– This is an antiseptic blend that is comforting and soothing.
- Fennel, basil, & lavender – This blend will help boost milk production.
- Sage – This blend is excellent for decreasing milk production. A great oil to use during the weaning season.
- Lavender, tea tree, patchouli, orange – If you struggle with mastitis, this blend is excellent for you! It helps treat and prevent future outbreaks.
Make Calendula-Infused Oil
This recipe comes together in just a few simple steps. The first part is to make the infused oil!
- 1 cup organic olive oil
- ½ cup calendula flowers
- ½ cup chamomile flowers (optional)
- Supplies:
- Saucepan
- Double boileror crockpot
- Jelly strainer
- Glass jar or measuring cup
- Fill a saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn down to medium-high.
- Place the olive oil, calendula flowers, and chamomile flowers (if using) into a double boiler or glass jar. Set inside the saucepan.
- Allow the mixture to heat on low for several hours. When done, the oil will change color and take on the smell of the herbs.
- Using a jelly strainer held over a glass measuring cup, strain the flower pieces. Squeeze the flowers to get all of the infused oil out.
- Reserve to use in the nipple cream.
If you don't have a double boiler, you can use a crockpot.
Place the ingredients in a glass jar, and set inside the slow cooker.
Fill the crockpot with 1-2 inches of water, or until half of the jar is covered.
Let the mixture heat for 4 hours on low, then strain as usual.
Step One: Boil the Water
Fill a saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn down to medium-high.
Step Two: Infuse the Oil
Put the olive oil, calendula flowers, and chamomile flowers (if using) into a double boiler or glass jar. Place in the saucepan and let simmer on low for several hours.
When done, the oil will change colors and take on the smell of the herbs.
Step Three: Strain the Oil
Once the oil is fully infused, strain the flower pieces using a jelly strainer held over a glass measuring cup.
Squeeze the flowers to get out all the infused oil. Save that luscious oil for your nipple cream!
Make Homemade Nipple Cream
This nipple cream makes a lovely gift for a new Mama or a fantastic staple for your nursing basket! Here’s how to make it.
- ½ cup calendula-infused oil
- ½ cup cocoa butter
- 2 ouncesbeeswax or shea butter(optional)
- 8 drops lavender or chamomile essential oil
- Supplies:
- Saucepan
- Double boiler or glass jar
- Salve tinsor glass jar for storage
- Fill a saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and place over medium-high heat.
- Place the calendula-infused oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax (if using) in a double boiler or glass jar. Set in the saucepan and heat until melted.
- Once the ingredients are melted, remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
- Pour into a sterilized salve container or jar.
- To use, apply a thin area to your dry nipples and areola in between feedings.
- For more soothing benefits, store this cream in the refrigerator.
>Step One: Melt the Moisturizers
Fill a saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and place over medium-high heat.
Place the calendula-infused oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax (if using) in a double-boiler or glass jar. Set in the saucepan and heat until melted.
Step Two: Add Essential Oils
Remove from heat and add essential oils. Store in a sterilized salve container or glass jar.
If not sitting in sunlight, it should last up to 6 months.
To use, apply a thin layer to your dry nipples and areola between feedings. Cool the cream in your refrigerator before using it for even more soothing benefits.
Mama Z Pro Tips:
For a soft balm, mix equal parts infused oil with cocoa butter. If it’s too hard for your liking, add more of the calendula-infused oil to your mixture.
You can make a harder balm by adding more cocoa butter or (if your baby is a bit older) unbleached beeswax. Try half the amount of oil you started with for the beeswax and adjust from there to your liking.
This is the perfect cream to use during what I call the “razor blade” days of breastfeeding – about the first two weeks postpartum. I apply after every feeding to help ease the transition.
Once that initial pain lessons, you’ll be able to nurse indefinitely.
