Whether breastfeeding or pumping on a regular basis, a mama’s nipples undergo a lot of abuse and often endure a lot of pain. Which is why a high-quality, healing, soothing nipple butter is a necessity. Unfortunately, for as simple as nipple butter is, it can get quite expensive when purchased pre-made! It was because of this that I decided to create my own. The result is an easy-to-make nipple butter made with quality ingredients that doesn’t break the budget.

Before I delve into the recipe, here’s a breakdown of the ingredients I chose and why I selected them.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This simple, readily-available oil moisturizes and protects dry or cracked skin.
• Calendula Flowers. Calendula cleanses and may reduce inflammation.
• Chamomile. May help reduce redness and irritation. May also help to calm baby.
• Coconut Oil. Coconut oil is moisturizing and may resist thrush. I recommend using the highest-quality (often called extra virgin) coconut oil for maximum benefit.
• Beeswax. Besides helping to thicken the cream a bit, beeswax soothes irritated skin and resists bacteria. Beeswax (unlike microcrystalline or paraffin wax) is safe to use with cloth nursing pads, but be sure it is unbleached/natural.
• Lavender Essential Oil. Soothes occasional skin irritation. The only oil I can honestly recommend is Young Living’s therapeutic-grade lavender essential oil (which does come with the Premium Starter Kit).

To use this nipple butter, dry your nipples after a nursing or pumping session and apply a thin layer (you don’t want to apply too much as a little goes a long way) to your nipples and areola. If your nipples are extra sore, you can refrigerate the nipple butter first to get it cold.

This nipple butter is made with “edible” ingredients, but you might want to wipe off any remnant of it before nursing baby.

This nipple butter is also safe to use with cloth nursing pads as it washes off easily and won’t cause repelling.

Lastly, if you want to, you could use this nipple butter to treat baby’s diaper rash, but I rather recommend my cloth diaper safe Homemade All-natural Oatmeal Diaper Rash Cream instead.

Nipple Butter

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Ingredients

  

• 1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. dried calendula flowers
• 1 tsp. dried chamomile flowers (or 1 chamomile tea bag)
• 1/2 c. extra virgin coconut oil
• 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) natural, unbleached beeswax
• 8 drops Young Living lavender essential oil

Instructions

 

• Infuse the olive oil, calendula, and chamomile using either the slow or fast method:
  ● Slow Infusion:
  Put the olive oil, calendula, and chamomile in an airtight jar and allow to infuse for up to 6 weeks for maximum healing benefits.
  ● Fast Infusion:
  Heat the olive oil, calendula, and chamomile over low or medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring often.
• Strain the calendula and chamomile using a fine mesh sieve, a towel, cheesecloth, or a coffee filter (if you did the fast infusion method, allow it to cool to room temperature first). Discard the used calendula and chamomile. Set infused oil aside.
• Create a double boiler by filling a saucepan with a couple inches of water then placing a glass bowl over the mouth of saucepan. Bring the water in the saucepan to a simmer and, in the glass bowl, melt the coconut oil and beeswax thoroughly. Mix in the infused olive oil.
• Remove from the heat. Add the lavender essential oil. Pour into a sterilized glass jar (such as empty baby food jars or small canning jars). Allow to cool before adjusting an airtight lid.

Notes

To use, apply a thin layer to dry nipples and areola (whether or soar or not) just after nursing (it should glisten a bit, but not be too heavy). Wipe off any remnant before nursing baby again. This recipe is safe to use with cloth nursing pads.

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