Homemade Nipple Cream with Essential Oils for Breastfeeding Moms
Supplies
- Double boiler or glass jar set in a saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ cup calendula-infused oil
- ½ cup organic cocoa butter
- 2 ounces organic beeswax pellets, yellow or white OR unrefined shea butter (optional)*
- 8 drops essential oils**
Instructions
- In a double boiler or glass jar set in a saucepan filled with 1-2 inches of water, melt the infused oil and cocoa butter together. If using, melt the beeswax also.
- When melted, remove from heat and add essential oil.
- Store the cream in a sterilized glass jar. If it is not exposed to sunlight, it should last for up to 6 months.
- Apply a thin layer to your dry nipples and areola between feedings.
- Cool the cream in your refrigerator before applying it for even more soothing benefits.
Notes
For a super smooth balm, use only the infused oil.
For a soft balm, mix equal parts infused oil with cocoa butter. If the mixture is too hard for your liking, add more calendula-infused oil.
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.
You can use this to soothe after roughening nipples with a washcloth before the baby is born in preparation for breastfeeding.
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 lessens, you’ll be able to nurse indefinitely.
If you have cracked or bleeding nipples, or it’s your first month nursing, try placing 6-8 100% organic chamomile tea bags in 2-quarts hot purified or distilled water in a large 2-quart pot placed over medium-low heat on the stovetop. Let cool until bearable, then dip dark-colored washcloths in the mixture and lay over the breasts before nursing. Follow the nursing session with this nipple cream.
*If you are allergic to beeswax or are vegan, try candelilla wax or bayberry wax. Use these ingredients if you desire a thicker product.
**Great essential oils for this recipe include lavender and/or Roman chamomile essential oil.