What? Don't give me that look. Have you ever experienced the first few days of nursing post baby? They can be rough. So when I attended by sister's baby shower this weekend, I was eager to mix up this breastfeeding nipple cream recipe to help a girl out.
Nipples need help. It ain't all fun and games, post-baby.
And since this is her first, I decided it was all the more reason to pull out the big guns. You see, the big guns (ie: this breastfeeding nipple cream recipe) help to eliminate soreness, tenderness, inflammation, infection, and that horrible thing that happens when your sticky, sweet colostrum causes your nipples to stick to your breast pads because they don't have any lubrication.
What? I'm just being honest here. It happens. And unless you have a good friend like me to tell you about what happens, you may never know until you fold down your shirt to nurse your first baby and find yourself adhered to the inside of your bra and sore as… well… as sore as a new breastfeeding Mama.
Having breastfed both of my children exclusively, I've learned a thing or two about nipple pads, nipple care, and nipple cream. It's important! Especially if you're going to be successful in the long run.
New Mamas: Please, be willing to push past the discomfort of the first few days! Yes, your nipples will likely feel like they've been put in a small blender of sorts. And yes, it'll make your toes curl in pain when baby is first learning how to latch on. And yes, you'll want to cry when you get your milk supply in and feel that oh-so-horrible-and-indescribable feeling of engorgement for the first time. But hear me: You can do it! You can push past the discomfort and the tenderness. You can make it through that first week – I PROMISE!
This breastfeeding nipple cream recipe will help.
Keep your ladies slathered up. It'll help to keep them clean, stick-free, and will really help in relieving some of that initial discomfort. I use it until I've built up enough of a callous so that tender and sore nipples are no longer an issue. Of course, working with a lactation consultant or experienced Mama who can help you ensure your baby is getting a good latch is essential. A bad latch will tear. you. to. shreds. Don't let that happen. Focus, work hard at it, and you'll do great!
You will need:
– 4 tablespoons cocoa butter (purchase here)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil (purchase here)
– 1 tablespoon coconut oil (purchase here)
– 2 drops lavender essential oil (purchase here)
Note: I would only recommend using the highest quality of oils for this cream. You can purchase our favorites here or read more about them here. Because baby will make direct contact with it's mouth, it's important that the oils be safe for internal use and I wouldn't ever use an oil I wasn't 110% comfortable with.
1. Melt the cocoa butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add in the olive oil, sweet almond oil, and coconut oil. Remove from heat once it's all melted and stir to combine.
2. Gently stir in the lavender oil.
3. Pour into a container and store at room temperature. I use these small little tins which are easy to transport to-and-from the hospital, bathroom, or even carry in your purse! Small mason jars like these or glass jars like these (or recycled baby food jars!) would also work wonderfully.
When I'm initially beginning a new breastfeeding “journey,” I like to use this breastfeeding nipple cream recipe between every feeding, which is every two to three hours on average. The lubrication of it helps baby to latch and us Mamas to feel far less friction from the breastfeeding process. In a few weeks time, you'll likely be ready to stop using the cream all together. However, until then, it's a wonderful idea to tuck into your natural post-partum healing kit.
By the way, I'm sorry I said nipple so many times in this post. Frankly, there's no other way to say it. Because that's exactly where this homemade cream goes.
Just so we're clear on that.
And if you've read this far – good for you! I'm thankful there are other Mamas out there who are willing to put in the effort to breastfeed their children. There ain't no denying it's incredible health benefits. So fight the good fight! Work for it! Enjoy it!
And slather your nipples.
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