As I was raising my first child, I prepared for a pregnancy that could be uncomfortable at times. I expected labor and delivery to be strong. I thought my emotions would be intense after having the baby. What I didn’t expect (or actually prepared for) is that breastfeeding can be difficult even in the first few days!
do not misunderstand. It’s worth it. The pain is not that severe and getting your baby to latch on well from the start can help a lot. However, this wasn’t as completely painless for me as many people claim. Instead, I realized that I needed to take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself, because the first week or so of nursing a baby would be quite uncomfortable.
If you’ve ever breastfed a baby, you can probably relate. And I apologize to those who haven’t made plans yet. I wish someone had warned me!
nipple cream
A few days after giving birth to my first child, while I was struggling to learn to breastfeed, my lactation consultant recommended lanolin cream. I tried it and it got much worse. Turns out I was allergic to lanolin!
Needless to say, I never used it again after that. Still, I was wondering if there was something I could use that might give me some relief.
Why not lanolin?
For me the answer was because I had allergies. As I started researching to make my own nipple balm cream recipe at home, I realized that lanolin was not an ingredient I wanted to use, even if I didn’t react to it.
What is lanolin?
Lanolin is an oil extracted from sheep wool. After extracting sebum (oil) from wool, it goes through another process to create finished lanolin. This is definitely a problem for anyone allergic to wool (raises hand). There are also concerns about pesticide residues found in wool and the potential for these to accumulate in fatty tissue or breast milk.
Many sheep are sprayed with insecticides to treat a variety of mites and pests. Additionally, most sheep are fed non-organic and GMO feed and traces of this can be found in their wool. There are several sources: organic lanolin It comes from healthy sheep, but it’s hard to find.
Sources disagree about the safety of lanolin, with some claiming it is completely safe. It wasn’t a risk I wanted to take my newborn, just in case. The most popular brands of nipple creams contain concentrated lanolin. This may help the mother heal faster, but it can also be part of the baby’s first foods, and more natural skincare options can also be effective.
natural nipple cream
I decided to make the first days of nursing my last two babies a little easier. I started experimenting with creating a natural nipple cream or lactation ointment to help ease the discomfort of sore nipples. It’s also important to check for mouth ties and other things that may affect your baby’s latch!
If you don’t want to make a DIY version, there are some really great pre-made nipple creams and salves available right now. I decided to make my own nipple cream for breastfeeding. Because we had the supplies we needed. If you want to buy, here are some good brands:
Choosing safe ingredients
Since this cream is essentially what a nursing baby would consume, it uses ingredients that are safe, natural and have a low potential for allergic reactions. For this reason I have decided not to use almond oil, beeswax, or coconut oil. As much as I like these ingredients, there is little chance of an allergic reaction.
Also, no essential oils were used in this recipe. It’s great for skin care (if used correctly), but I’ve never given it to my baby internally.
nipple cream ingredients
Instead of using ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or be harmful, we used the following ingredients:
Note on Consistency
This nipple cream is a slightly softer ointment, so it was easier to apply that way. If you want it harder, increase the cocoa butter to 1/3 cup (or more). You can add a little beeswax to thicken it, but it is unlikely that your baby will have an allergic reaction.
Still, there is some evidence. Inorganic Beeswax Insecticide A beeswax allergy may be the cause. I always use organic beeswax in my recipes, but I decided to leave it out here, just in case.
nipple cream instructions
First, you’ll want to infuse the herbs into the olive oil. This helps maintain the beneficial properties of the balm without leaving any residue or grit. There are three ways to do this:
- solar infusion– If you have time, you can let the oil soak in the sun. Here’s how to do it, but simply put 1/4 cup each of chamomile and calendula flowers, 2 tablespoons marshmallow root, and 1 cup olive oil in a pint-size or larger glass jar. Place this in the sun, shake and infuse daily. This only works well in warm weather.
- time injection-Similar to solar injection, but without the sun. Add equal parts herbs and oils to a bottle and shake daily for 2 to 4 weeks.
- heat injection– The best way when you’re short on time! Place equal parts (1/4 cup each chamomile and calendula, 2 tablespoons marshmallow root, and 1 cup olive oil) in a double boiler. Heat the oil over low heat for 2 to 3 hours, until it smells of herbs and changes color slightly.
Whichever method you use, carefully strain out the herbs at the end of the process and store the finished oil. I do this using a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth. This creates extra infused oil, but you can use the extra oil in lotions or other recipes.
If you want to make just the right amount for a batch of DIY nipple cream, use the following proportions.
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon each of chamomile and calendula flowers
- 2 teaspoons marshmallow root
DIY nipple cream
This moisturizing nursing balm helps soothe sore and cracked nipples. Plus, it’s safe for babies to eat.
Infused oil for nursing balm
Nursing balm
- ¼ cup infused oil
- ¼ cup cocoa butter (or more if you want a firmer balm)
Making Infused Oils: Three Ways
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Three options for making infused oils for nursing nights are detailed below: solar infusion, temporal infusion, and thermal infusion.
Infused oil, solar method
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Combine the infused oil ingredients listed above in a clean pint-sized glass jar.
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Expose to sunlight and shake daily for 2 to 4 weeks.
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Once the infusion is complete, carefully strain the herbs using a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth.
Infused oil, time method
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Combine the infused oil ingredients listed above in a clean pint-sized glass jar.
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Place in a convenient location and shake daily for 2 to 4 weeks.
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Once the infusion is complete, strain the herbs using a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth.
Infused oil, heated
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Add water to the bottom of the double boiler. You can also place a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of water.
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In the top portion, mix the infused oil ingredients listed above.
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Heat the oil over low heat for 2 to 3 hours, until it smells of herbs and changes color slightly.
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Once the infusion is complete, strain the herbs using a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth.
Making a nursing balm
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After infusing and straining the oil, add ¼ cup of the infused oil and ¼ cup of cocoa butter to the top portion of a double boiler or glass bowl.
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Add water to the bottom of a double boiler or saucepan.
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Heat over low heat, stirring, until the cocoa butter is melted.
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Pour into a glass jar or tin and let cool to room temperature.
- This balm is somewhat soft and does not harden completely. If you prefer a harder balm, add more cocoa butter. Alternatively, you can use the liquid oil alone or in higher proportions for a softer balm.
- Use any remaining infused oil in lotions or other recipes.
How to Use Nipple Cream – It was good to use right after breastfeeding. Apply gently to nipples and areolas as needed to prevent pain.
Have you ever tried nipple cream or lanolin? Did it work?
