Lavender Birth & Baby Oil

Calm your labour, nurture your perineum, and soothe your baby's skin with one pure, gentle lavender oil made for every stage of the journey.

Birth is one of the biggest moments in a woman's life, and we wanted something simple and honest to go alongside it. Lavender Nurturing Birth & Baby Oil is a single, pure botanical blend made to support mum and baby through pregnancy, labour, and those first tender weeks together.

We kept the formula minimal on purpose - no synthetic fragrance, no harsh essential oils, just whole lavender for a soft, calming scent. It's a quiet, grounding oil designed to help you through the intensity of labour, soothe your skin as you heal postpartum, and welcome your newborn with soft, loving touch.

Like all the products in the Nurture Range, this oil was designed to support the skin's microbiome as closely as possible. It's formulated with only the purest ingredients, free from all nasties, fillers, and inflammatory components.

One oil, three uses

Labour support & sacral massage

Labour relies on a steady release of oxytocin, the hormone that helps you feel safe and connected. As contractions intensify, firm lower-back massage and sacral counter-pressure become one of the most useful tools your birth partner has. Our lightweight oil glides on smoothly, so your partner can apply firm, continuous pressure without dragging on the skin or stopping to reapply. Because your sense of smell becomes much more sensitive during labour, we kept the lavender scent soft and understated - there to help settle your nervous system, not overwhelm it.

Perineal care, before and after birth

Preparing the perineum for birth calls for an oil that works with your skin, not against it. We use jojoba oil, which closely resembles the skin's natural oils and absorbs easily into delicate tissue. Combined with oat oil, rich in the same ceramides and lipids your skin already produces, this blend helps condition the area, support elasticity, and strengthen the skin barrier. It's gentle enough for regular use during prenatal perineal massage and postpartum recovery.

Bedtime baby massage

An evening massage is a lovely way to wind down with your baby, and it also supports their developing nervous system and natural melatonin release, helping signal that it's time to settle in for the night. Jojoba and oat oil nourish and protect their skin barrier, easing dryness without feeling heavy, and a silky, fast-absorbing finish locks in moisture after bath time - leaving skin soft and pyjama-ready, with no greasy residue.

Why you'll love it 

• One pure oil for labour, perineal care, and baby massage
• No synthetic fragrance and no harsh essential oils - just whole lavender
• Jojoba and oat oil support the skin barrier and ease dryness
• Lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy finish
• Pure MCT oil base, chosen because it doesn't feed the yeast linked to cradle cap
• Gentle enough for prenatal perineal massage from 34 weeks
• Free from all nasties, fillers, and inflammatory ingredients
• Handcrafted in New Zealand

Who is it for?

• Mums-to-be preparing for labour with a birth partner or support person
• Anyone wanting to begin prenatal perineal massage from around 34 weeks
• Postpartum mums healing and caring for sensitive skin
• Newborns and babies, including those prone to cradle cap or flaky skin
• Parents wanting one genuinely natural, minimal-ingredient oil that covers birth through to baby massage

Key ingredients 

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (MCT Oil) 

A lightweight oil that helps soften skin, improve spreadability, and leave a silky, non-greasy finish. It supports the skin barrier without feeling heavy, and doesn't feed the yeast associated with cradle cap.

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil

A stable, skin-compatible liquid wax rich in long-chain fatty acids. It helps moisturise, reinforce the skin barrier, and balance the skin without clogging pores.

Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil 

Rich in ceramides, essential fatty acids, and natural antioxidants, oat kernel oil helps soothe dry, irritated skin, reduce moisture loss, and support a healthy skin barrier.

Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract 

A botanical extract that provides antioxidant benefits while helping to calm and condition the skin. Unlike lavender essential oil, flower extracts are valued for their skin-conditioning properties with a gentler aromatic profile.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E) 

A natural antioxidant that helps protect the formula from oxidation while providing additional antioxidant support to the skin, helping defend against environmental stressors.

Full ingredient list

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (MCT Oil), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

*Organic.

Why we chose these ingredients 

We kept this formula deliberately minimal - one pure MCT oil base, jojoba and oat oil for the skin barrier, and whole lavender for a soft, calming scent, without synthetic fragrance or harsh essential oils. Together they create one gentle oil that can genuinely move with you from labour, through perineal care, to your baby's first massage.

Texture & feel

Lightweight and silky, absorbing quickly for a fast-absorbing, non-greasy finish that won't drag on the skin during massage.

How to use 

Labour: Apply 3-4 pumps to the lower back or hips. Use long, downward strokes to provide deep counter-pressure during contractions.

Perineal: From 34 weeks, massage a few drops into the perineum 3-4 times a week to help soften the tissue.

Baby: Warm a few pumps between your palms. Gently massage over baby's body after a bath or before bed to nourish the skin and support restful sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this oil safe to use throughout pregnancy, or just for labour?

It's designed to support you across the whole journey, not just one stage. The formula is gentle enough for perineal massage from around 34 weeks, purposeful during labour itself, and mild enough for postpartum skin healing afterwards. If you have a specific skin condition or a known sensitivity to any of the ingredients, it's worth checking with your midwife or healthcare professional before starting.

When should I start perineal massage, and how often? 

Most people begin from around 34 weeks, using a few drops 3-4 times a week to help soften the tissue ahead of birth. Everyone's body and pregnancy are different, so if you're unsure whether it's the right time for you, it's a good one to raise with your midwife or LMC.

Can my birth partner use this for labour massage, or is it just for me?

It's made for both. The lightweight formula stays slick, so your partner can keep up firm, continuous pressure on your lower back or hips through a contraction without it dragging on the skin or needing to be reapplied halfway through.

Is the lavender scent likely to be too strong during labour?

For most people, no. We've kept it deliberately soft and infused rather than heavily fragranced, because smell becomes much more sensitive during labour and a strong scent can do more harm than good. If you know you're sensitive to lavender specifically, it's worth doing a small patch test beforehand rather than trying it for the first time on the day.

Is it safe to use on newborn skin, including for babies prone to cradle cap?

It's formulated with that in mind. The base is a pure MCT oil, chosen specifically because it doesn't feed the yeast associated with cradle cap and flaky skin. Every baby's skin is different though, so for very reactive or eczema-prone skin, it's worth doing a small patch test first and checking with your Plunket nurse or GP if you're unsure.

Does using more product make it work better, for either labour or baby massage? 

Not really - it's more about technique than quantity. For labour or hip massage, 3-4 pumps is usually enough to allow smooth, continuous strokes. For baby massage, a few pumps warmed between your palms goes a long way, since it's a thin layer you're after rather than a heavy application.

What should I do if I notice any irritation?

Stop using it and give your skin a break. It's formulated to be gentle, but individual reactions can still happen, particularly on already-sensitive postpartum or newborn skin. If irritation persists after you've stopped, it's worth checking in with a healthcare professional.

How should I store it to keep it at its best? 

Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. It comes in amber glass to prevent UV exposure.

 

Packaged in a recyclable and reusable amber glass bottle to protect the botanicals from UV light

Available size - 50ml 

Shelf life - 1.5 years

Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to maximise shelf life

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Disclaimer

Our products are generally suitable for most individuals. If you experience any allergies, irritation, or sensitivity, discontinue use immediately.

This product has no added synthetic ingredients, artificial fragrances or preservatives.

This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.

Ready to support your journey from labour to those first tender weeks? Add Lavender Nurturing Birth & Baby Oil to your cart today.