DIY Nipple Balm for Breastfeeding (3 Formulations)

Last updated: August 2026

Sore, tender nipples are one of the most common challenges of the early breastfeeding weeks, and having a reliable, food-safe balm on hand makes a real difference. This page brings together three traditional formulations for that purpose — a comfort balm and two named variations — each drawn from a different Baraka recipe book. Full ingredient reasoning for nursing care is covered in The Best Natural Nipple Balm Ingredients for Breastfeeding Moms, if you'd like the fuller picture. All three lean on the same trusted Baraka ingredients used throughout our Mother & Baby DIY Skincare Hub, made in about 15 minutes with basic kitchen tools.

In This Recipe:

• What This Recipe Helps With
• Ingredients
• Directions
• Application Tips
• Customisation Ideas
• Storage & Shelf Life
• Voice Search FAQ
• Try These Next
• Disclaimer

Choose Your Formulation

What This Recipe Helps With

• Soothing sore or tender nipples during the breastfeeding journey
• Providing a food-safe balm with no need to wipe off before nursing
• Offering both a richer comfort balm and two minimalist alternatives
• Supporting skin as it adjusts to the demands of frequent nursing

Why This Is a Great DIY Recipe

All three formulations use just 4–5 ingredients with a simple melt-and-pour method. Skill Level: Beginner. They're very forgiving — no temperature to watch closely, and nothing that can seize or separate. Commercially, nipple balms with a fully transparent, minimal ingredient list can be hard to find and often carry a premium price for a short list of ingredients; all three formulations here are fully traceable to a Baraka cooperative. Yield: approximately 105ml (Primary) plus two named variations. This recipe is expanded from our Birth & Postpartum DIY Care Hub, which covers additional nursing and recovery formulations.

Why These Ingredients Work Together

Shea Butter creates a protective barrier that remains safe for baby during nursing, accelerating comfort for tender or slightly irritated nipple tissue between feedings, and anchors all three formulations. Traditional Coconut Oil adds smooth texture that reduces friction during latch. In the Primary, Cocoa Butter adds a touch of extra structure for a slightly firmer balm. Calendula-infused oil appears across all three, adding traditional gentle comfort, and vitamin E supports the stability of each formulation over its shelf life.

Hero Ingredient Benefits

• Shea Butter: Creates a protective barrier that remains safe for baby during nursing, present in all three formulations.
• Cocoa Butter: Adds a touch of extra structure for a slightly firmer balm in the Primary formulation.
• Traditional Coconut Oil: Adds smooth texture that reduces friction during latch, used across all three formulations.

Primary Formulation: Nursing Comfort Balm

Ingredients:

• Shea Butter — 60 g (1/4 cup)
• Cocoa Butter — 30 g (2 tablespoons)
• Traditional Coconut Oil — 15 ml (1 tablespoon)
• Calendula Oil — 15 ml (1 tablespoon)
• Vitamin E Oil — 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon)

No essential oils are used in this formulation — none are recommended for nursing balms, since even trace amounts may affect baby's latch or taste.

Directions

1. Create a double boiler with a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of simmering water.
2. Add the shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil to the bowl.
3. Melt gently on the lowest possible heat, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
5. Add the calendula oil and vitamin E oil, stirring to incorporate.
6. Pour into a clean jar and allow to cool completely.
7. For easier application, slightly whip with a small spoon before use.

Variation: Soothing Nipple Butter for Breastfeeding

From Traditional DIY Shea Remedies for Mother & Baby Wellness.

Ingredients:

• Shea Butter — 45 ml (3 tablespoons)
• Traditional Coconut Oil — 30 ml (2 tablespoons)
• Calendula-Infused Oil — 15 ml (1 tablespoon)
• Vitamin E Oil — 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon)

1. Create a double boiler with a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of simmering water.
2. Add the shea butter and coconut oil to the bowl.
3. Melt completely, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, about 2 minutes.
5. Add the calendula-infused oil and vitamin E oil, stirring to incorporate.
6. Pour into a clean jar and allow to cool completely.

Variation: Nursing Nipple Balm

From Nurture & Nourish: DIY Remedies for Mother & Baby. This formulation shares a very similar ingredient list with the Soothing Nipple Butter above — both books happen to use near-identical recipes, so choose whichever book you'd rather source from.

Ingredients:

• Shea Butter — 45 g (1.5 oz)
• Traditional Coconut Oil — 45 g (1.5 oz)
• Vitamin E Oil — 5 ml (1 teaspoon)
• Calendula-Infused Oil — 15 ml (0.5 fl oz)

1. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the vitamin E oil and calendula-infused oil, stirring thoroughly.
4. Pour into a clean jar and allow to cool completely.

Application Tips

Apply a small amount to clean nipples and surrounding tissue after each nursing session. All three formulations are food-safe, so there's no need to remove the balm before your baby's next feeding — a gentle wipe with warm water beforehand is optional but not required. For severely cracked or tender nipples, apply more generously and allow the area to air-dry completely before dressing.

Customisation Ideas

• Choose the Primary balm if you'd like a slightly firmer, richer texture from the added cocoa butter.
• Choose either minimalist variation for the simplest possible ingredient list.
• Whip the Primary balm briefly with a spoon before use for easier one-handed application.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store the Primary balm and Soothing Nipple Butter at room temperature for up to 6 months. Store the Nursing Nipple Balm at room temperature for up to 3 months.

The Impact of Your Purchase

When you make skincare with Baraka ingredients, you're supporting women's cooperatives who earn fair wages and preserve traditional processing methods. According to Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report, this direct trade model provided income for over 1,000 women and prevented 47 metric tons of CO2 emissions. You also gain complete transparency — knowing exactly what touches your skin and your family's skin, without hidden synthetics or uncertain supply chains.

Meet one of the women behind these ingredients in this short film: Torokugu Discusses the Impact Baraka Has Made for Her and Her Family.

Shop the Baraka Ingredients in This Recipe

Pure. Natural. Ethically sourced. Hand-crafted by women's cooperatives. These are the ingredients trusted throughout Baraka's DIY guides and recipes.

• Shea Butter — Shop Now — Rich and deeply moisturising, a versatile base for balms and creams.
• Cocoa Butter — Shop Now — Firm and antioxidant-rich, adds structure to balm formulations.
• Traditional Coconut Oil — Shop Now — Lightweight and versatile, softens formulations and absorbs well.

Voice Search FAQ

What's a good DIY nipple balm for breastfeeding?
A shea butter and coconut oil balm with calendula-infused oil, whether the richer Primary version with cocoa butter or one of two minimalist variations, provides food-safe comfort for sore or tender nipples. Apply after each nursing session.

Do I need to wipe off nipple balm before nursing?
No — all three formulations on this page are food-safe, meaning there's no need to remove them before your baby's next feeding. A gentle wipe with warm water beforehand is optional but not required.

What's the difference between the three formulations?
The Primary Nursing Comfort Balm includes cocoa butter for a slightly firmer texture, while the Soothing Nipple Butter and Nursing Nipple Balm are both minimalist, near-identical 4-ingredient formulations from two different books.

How often should I apply nipple balm?
Apply a small amount after each nursing session, or as often as needed for comfort. For severely cracked or tender nipples, apply more generously and allow the area to air-dry completely before dressing.

Try These Next

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:

• DIY Lactation Support Massage Oil — a complementary pre-feed massage oil for the earlier stages of the nursing journey.
• DIY Weaning Comfort Balm — the natural next step once the nursing journey moves toward weaning.
• The Best Natural Nipple Balm Ingredients for Breastfeeding Moms — useful background on choosing nursing-safe ingredients.
• Shea Butter for Pregnancy — a deeper look at how shea supports the whole pregnancy and postpartum journey.
• Preservative-Free Formulating: Creating Safe, Fresh Baby Products with Baraka Ingredients — useful background on formulating without preservatives.

About These Ingredients

This recipe draws on three Baraka recipe books: the primary formulation is expanded from DIY Formulations for the Motherhood Journey, with the Soothing Nipple Butter credited to Traditional DIY Shea Remedies for Mother & Baby Wellness, and the Nursing Nipple Balm credited to Nurture & Nourish: DIY Remedies for Mother & Baby. Each book explores additional formulations for supporting the nursing journey.

Disclaimer

The recipes and ingredients on this page are intended for cosmetic use only — for application to the skin, hair, and nails to cleanse, condition, and beautify. They have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other regulatory authority. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. If you have a medical condition, skin condition, or known allergies, consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Always patch-test new ingredients before full application. Keep all products away from eyes and out of reach of children. Results will vary between individuals.