With my first child, I was prepared for the pregnancy to be uncomfortable at times. I expected the birth to be intense. I thought I would get emotional after having a baby. What I didn’t expect (or really prepare for) is that breastfeeding can be difficult in the first few days too!
Do not get me wrong. It is worth it. The pain is not that bad and a lot can be helped by making sure the baby latches on properly from the start. However, this certainly did not make it completely painless for me, as many claim. Instead, I found myself having to take deep breaths and mentally prepare myself for the first week of breastfeeding a baby because it was quite uncomfortable.
Maybe you can empathize if you’ve also breastfed a baby. And my apologies to anyone who hasn’t yet, but is planning to. I wish someone had warned me!
Nipple cream
A few days after having my first baby, when I was in the trenches of learning how to breastfeed, the lactation consultant suggested lanolin cream. I tried it and it got much, much worse. Turns out I was allergic to lanolin!
Needless to say, I haven’t used it since. Still, I wondered if I could use something that could provide some relief.
Why not lanolin?
For me the answer was because I was allergic. When I started researching how to make my own recipe for homemade nipple balm cream, I realized that lanolin was not an ingredient I wanted to use, even though I could do so without a reaction.
What is lanolin?
Lanolin is an oil from sheep’s wool. The tallow (oil) is extracted from the wool and undergoes another process to create the final lanolin. This is obviously problematic for anyone allergic to wool (raises hand). There are also concerns about pesticide residues found in wool and the potential for these to build up in fatty tissue or in breast milk.
Many sheep are sprayed with pesticides to treat various mites and pests. In addition, most sheep are fed non-organic and GMO feed, and traces of this can also be found in the wool. There are some sources of organic lanolin from healthy sheep, but they are difficult to find.
Sources disagree on the safety of lanolin and some claim it is completely safe. It wasn’t a risk I wanted to take with my newborns, just in case. Most popular brands of nipple cream have concentrated lanolin. While these can help the mother heal faster, they also become part of the little ones’ first diet and more natural skin care options can be effective as well.
A natural nipple cream
I was determined to make it easier during the first few days of breastfeeding my last two babies. I started experimenting with making a natural nipple cream or nursing balm that would help relieve the discomfort of sore nipples. It’s also important to check for oral ties and other things that can affect a baby’s latch!
There are some very good, ready-made nipple creams and ointments available now if you don’t feel like making a do-it-yourself version. I still chose to make my own breastfeeding nipple cream because I had the supplies on hand. If you want to buy one, here are some good brands:
Choosing safe ingredients
Since this cream is mainly ingested by a nursing baby, I made sure to use ingredients that are safe, natural and have a low chance of allergic reactions. For this reason I decided not to use almond oil, beeswax or coconut oil. As much as I love these ingredients, they have a small chance of causing an allergic reaction.
I also did not use essential oils in this recipe. While they are great for skin care (when used properly), I have never given them internally to my babies.
Nipple cream ingredients
Instead of using ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction or be harmful, I used the following:
A note on consistency
This nipple cream is a slightly softer ointment and I found it easier to apply because of that. If you want it firmer, increase the cocoa butter to 1/3 cup (or more). You can add some beeswax to thicken it, but there is a rare chance that the baby may have an allergic reaction.
However, there is some evidence that the pesticides in inorganic beeswax may be responsible for beeswax allergies. Although I always use organic beeswax in my recipes, I chose to skip it here just to be safe.
Nipple cream instructions
First you want to steep the herbs in the olive oil. This helps retain the balm’s beneficial properties without leaving residue or grittiness. You can do this in three ways:
- Solar infusion– If you have time, you can soak the oils in the sun. Here’s the method, but in short: Use 1/4 cup of chamomile and calendula flowers, 2 tablespoons of marshmallow root, and 1 cup of olive oil in a pint-sized glass jar or larger. Leave this in the sun and shake daily to infuse. Please note: this only works well in warm weather.
- Time infusion-Similar to the solar infusion, but without the sun. Place the same proportions of herbs and oil in a jar and shake daily for 2-4 weeks.
- Heat infusion– The best method if you have little time! Place the same proportions (1/4 cup of chamomile and calendula flowers, 2 tablespoons of marshmallow root and 1 cup of olive oil) in a double boiler. Heat over low heat for 2-3 hours, until the oil takes on the scent of the spices and changes color slightly.
Whichever method you use, at the end of the process, carefully strain out the herbs and reserve the used oil. I do this with a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth. This will create extra infused oil, but you can use the extra oil for lotion or other recipes.
If you want to make just enough for one serving of DIY nipple cream, use the following proportions:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon of each chamomile and calendula flower
- 2 teaspoons marshmallow root
DIY nipple cream
This moisturizing care balm helps soothe sore, cracked nipples. Moreover, it is safe for the baby to take.
Infused oil for care balm
Nourishing balm
- ¼ cup injected oil
- ¼ cup cocoa butter (or more for a firmer balm)
Making the Infused Oil: Three Methods
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There are three options described below for making the infused oil for the nursing balm: solar infusion, time infusion, and heat infusion.
Infused oil, solar method
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In a clean, small-sized glass jar, mix the above-mentioned ingredients for the infused oil.
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Place in the sun and shake daily for 2-4 weeks.
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After the infusion is complete, use a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth to gently strain out the herbs.
Infused oil, time method
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In a clean, small-sized glass jar, mix the above-mentioned ingredients for the infused oil.
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Place it in a convenient place and shake daily for 2-4 weeks.
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After the infusion is complete, use a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth to strain out the herbs.
Infused oil, heat method
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Place water in the bottom part of a double boiler. You can also place a heatproof glass bowl over a pan of water.
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In the top section, combine the ingredients listed above for the infused oil.
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Heat over low heat for 2-3 hours until the oil takes on the scent of the spices and changes color slightly.
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After the infusion is complete, use a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth to strain out the herbs.
Making the nutritional balm
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After the oil has been infused and strained, 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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Place water in the bottom part of the double boiler or pot.
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Heat over low heat, stirring, until the cocoa butter has melted.
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Pour into a glass jar or tin and let cool to room temperature.
- This balm will be somewhat soft and never completely firm. If you prefer a harder balm, add more cocoa butter. Alternatively, the liquid oil can be used alone or in a higher ratio for a smoother balm.
- Use the leftover infused oil for lotions or other recipes.
How to use nipple cream – I liked using this right after a nursing session. If necessary, apply it gently to the nipples and areola to avoid pain.
Have you ever used a nipple cream or lanolin? Did it work for you?