Nursing Butter

Last updated: June 2026

Nursing Butter is a firm-set bar of shea butter and coconut oil, warmed between your fingers and applied with one hand to sore or dry skin from nursing. Make it in 10 minutes with Baraka shea butter, handmade at the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Wa, Ghana. This Nursing Butter is formulated specifically for that moment: a firm-set bar rather than a soft jar butter, designed to be picked up and applied with one hand in seconds.

The formula uses just two whole ingredients — shea butter and Traditional Coconut Oil — in a firmer ratio than a typical whipped body butter, so the bar holds its shape at room temperature and warms quickly between the fingers rather than needing to be scooped. It takes 10 minutes to make, yields one small bar, and lasts six months. This recipe is intended for the nursing parent's own skin — for skin that feels sore, dry, or tight from frequent feeding — not for direct application to a baby.

In This Recipe:

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

What This Recipe Helps With

• Quick, one-handed conditioning for sore or dry skin from frequent nursing
• Quick conditioning between feeds when there isn't time for a longer skincare step
• Gentle daily conditioning for skin that feels tight or dry during a nursing routine
• A simple, fragrance-free, two-ingredient alternative to nursing creams with longer ingredient lists
• Convenient bedside or changing-bag conditioning that doesn't require a jar or spatula

Why This Is a Great DIY Recipe

A jar butter works well when there's time to sit down, scoop, and apply with both hands. Nursing rarely offers that luxury. This recipe takes the same two trusted ingredients used throughout Baraka's nursing and baby skincare formulas and adjusts the ratio specifically so the finished product sets as a firm bar rather than a soft butter — something that can be picked up, warmed between the fingers in seconds, and applied with one hand while the other arm is occupied. For the full range of winter skincare formulas, DIY Winter Skincare: 10 Essential Natural Recipes to Protect Your Skin All Season covers ten recipes with detailed options for each.

Skill Level: Beginner. The two ingredients are melted together and poured into a small mould or container to set — there is no whipping and no equipment beyond a double boiler. The process takes about 10 minutes including setup, and the bar sets in 2–3 hours at room temperature. Each batch yields one small bar, approximately 1½ fl oz (45 ml).

Why These Ingredients Work Together

Shea Butter is the structural and conditioning foundation of this bar — used at a higher proportion than in a soft jar butter, its stearic and oleic fatty acids provide sustained conditioning while also giving the finished bar the firmness it needs to hold its shape and warm quickly when picked up. Traditional Coconut Oil lightens the texture just enough that the firm bar still glides smoothly rather than dragging, and its lauric acid content contributes gentle conditioning alongside its texture role. Together, the two-ingredient simplicity keeps the formula easy to trust on skin that may come into contact with a nursing baby shortly after application.

Hero Ingredient Benefits

• Shea Butter: The dominant ingredient in this bar formula, used at a higher ratio than in a soft jar butter specifically to give the finished bar the firmness needed to hold its shape and warm quickly between the fingers. Shea's gentle fatty acid profile and absence of known common contact allergens make it a widely trusted choice for sensitive, frequently-touched skin.
• Traditional Coconut Oil: Included in a smaller quantity than in a softer jar butter, just enough to keep the firm bar gliding smoothly across skin rather than dragging. Its lauric acid content contributes light conditioning alongside its texture role.

Ingredients

Makes approximately 1½ fl oz (45 ml) — 1 small bar

• Shea Butter: 2⅓ tablespoons (35 ml)
• Traditional Coconut Oil: 2 teaspoons (10 ml)

Directions

1. Set up a double boiler over low heat. Have a small silicone mould or clean, shallow container ready before you begin.
2. Add shea butter and Traditional Coconut Oil to the bowl together. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until both are fully liquid.
3. Remove from heat as soon as the mixture is fully liquid and smooth.
4. Allow to cool for 1–2 minutes — the mixture should still be liquid but no longer hot to the touch.
5. Pour into the mould or container. If using a flexible silicone mould, this makes unmoulding the set bar easier.
6. Leave undisturbed at room temperature for 2–3 hours to set fully. Once firm, unmould if applicable and store in a small clean container or wrap. Label with the date of making.

Application Tips

Pick up the bar and warm it briefly between your fingers for a few seconds until a small amount softens, then apply directly to clean, dry skin that feels sore or dry from nursing. The firm-set format means you don't need a free hand to scoop — just press and glide. If applying near the nipple or areola, gently wipe the area clean with a soft cloth or warm water before the next feed, since babies may nurse again shortly after application. Always patch test on a small area 24 hours before first full use, and discontinue if any redness, irritation, or discomfort occurs. For persistent soreness, cracking, or signs of infection, consult a healthcare provider or lactation consultant — this balm is intended for everyday comfort, not as a treatment for medical conditions.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store the bar in a small clean container, tin, or wrap, away from direct sunlight and heat. A bedside table or changing bag both work well. The firm bar tolerates moderate temperature changes better than a soft jar butter, though it will soften in warm conditions. Shelf life is 6 months from the date of making when stored correctly. Label with the date of making. If the bar develops any off smell or unusual appearance before 6 months, discontinue use.

Customisation Ideas

• Firmer version for warm climates: Increase shea butter to 2⅔ tablespoons (40 ml) and reduce coconut oil to 1 teaspoon (5 ml) for an even firmer bar that holds its shape well in warmer conditions.
• Softer glide version: Increase coconut oil to 1 tablespoon (15 ml) and reduce shea butter to 2 tablespoons (30 ml) for a slightly softer glide — better suited to cooler climates where the standard ratio may feel a touch firm.
• Double batch: Double all quantities to make two bars at once — convenient for keeping one by the bed and one in a changing bag.
• Vitamin E addition: Add ¼ teaspoon of vitamin E oil at Step 3 for additional antioxidant support for shelf stability, particularly useful for a double batch.

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.

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, naturally high in vitamins A and E. Nourishes dry skin and helps protect the skin barrier without clogging pores. A versatile base for balms, creams, and body butters.
• Traditional Coconut Oil | Shop Now | Lightweight and versatile, softens skin and supports gentle cleansing. Adds slip and glide to balms, soaps, and body products. Absorbs well and helps protect hair proteins.

Voice Search FAQ

Is this nursing butter safe to use before breastfeeding?

Yes — this bar uses only two gentle, traceable ingredients with no fragrance or additives. If applying near the nipple or areola, gently wipe the area clean before the next feed, since babies may nurse again shortly after application. Always patch test on a small area 24 hours before first full use.

How is this different from a regular body butter?

This recipe sets as a firm bar rather than a soft jar butter, so it can be picked up and applied with one hand in seconds — useful during nursing when one arm is often occupied. It uses just two ingredients, shea butter and Traditional Coconut Oil, for a simple, traceable formula.

How often can I use this on sore or cracked skin?

Apply as needed throughout the day for everyday dryness or soreness from frequent nursing. For persistent soreness, cracking, or signs of infection, this balm is intended for everyday comfort only — consult a healthcare provider or lactation consultant for ongoing or worsening discomfort.

How long does this nursing butter bar last?

This Nursing Butter has a shelf life of 6 months from the date of making when stored away from heat and direct sunlight. Label with the date of making and discontinue use if any off smell or appearance develops before then.

Try These Next

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:

• Nursing Mother's Recovery Butter — a richer whipped jar formula from the same Winter Skincare guide, for more intensive overnight conditioning when time allows for a fuller application.
• Mother-Baby Bonding Massage Oil — a gentle liquid massage oil from the same Winter Skincare guide, suitable for both parent and baby during bonding and massage.

About These Ingredients

This recipe is expanded from our comprehensive DIY Winter Skincare: 10 Essential Natural Recipes to Protect Your Skin All Season, which explores additional formulations, ingredient options, and variations. Visit the full guide for more approaches to gentle winter conditioning for the whole family.

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.