Breastfeeding and Essential Oils

         About a year ago, I was introduced to the many benefits of essential oils. I had heard very little about them and was using some lavender from the health food store for mood enhancement, relaxation, and well, because I loved the scent. Besides knowing some of the properties of lavender and tea tree oils, I didn't know much else about them until my friend, Carmen, introduced me to doTerra's Certified Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. The quality and purity of these oils is amazing. I have learned a lot since and am now using oils for all kinds of stuff. I have successfully treated a UTI and was able to get rid of a bump on my toddler's head less than an hour after applying the oils! I am now a true believer and recommend these oils to everyone! Today, I have a guest post from Kristy on how these oils can help with breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and Essential Oils

          The best food you can give your baby is breast milk.  Nothing will keep your baby happier and healthier than breastfeeding. Healthy milk starts with a healthy body, fed whole foods packed with nutrition.Taking a good quality probiotic, whole food vitamins & omega fatty acids will help create the richest, healthiest milk you can make. During times your little one may require more milk, Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) essential oils will be crucial. A CPTG essential oil has been through a rigorous six step testing process and 3^rd party verified for purity and potency.  The oil has been sourced from plants grown in their indigenous lands, contains no fillers, additives or synthetic bi-products. These oils are safe for aromatic, topical and even internal use. 

         Sometimes babies will go through growth spurts, nurse-ins and teething episodes that will leave them insatiable and you might find your supply struggling to keep up.  Using doTERRA’s CPTG Basil, Clary Sage, Geranium or Fennel essential oil will help you achieve higher production during the times you need it most.  Apply 1-2 drops to the breast tissue, avoiding the nipple, three to four times daily.  There is no need to wash it off in between feedings.  You also may take these oils internally in a capsule, in a small amount of water, or under your tongue.  Supplementing with zinc has also been known to increase production.  Make sure your water intake is at least half your body weight in ounces daily.

         If engorgement or oversupply is impacting your ability to breastfeed or live life normally, CPTG Peppermint essential oil has been known to decrease supply.  This is different for everyone.  With some moms peppermint has no effect and for others just smelling it will decrease their supply.  Applying CPTG Peppermint oil to the breast tissue, avoiding the nipple, or taking it internally should alleviate some of the engorgement. 

          Dry or cracked nipples are common during the days following birth and the initiation of breastfeeding.  This is typically due to improper latch or ties of the lips and tongue.  Please speak with your pediatrician to address any lip or tongue tie issues and a Certified Lactation Consultant or Le Leche League leader to address a potential latch problem immediately.  Applying CPTG Myrrh, Geranium, Lavender, Roman Chamomile or Sandalwood to the affected area.  These oils can be applied diluted with a fatty carrier oil like coconut oil, or undiluted straight from the bottle.  There is no need to wash these oils off before breastfeeding your baby.

          Some women are more prone to infections and clogged ducts than others.  Many moms who tend to have clogged ducts are usually consuming dairy-based products such as milk and ice cream.  Try eliminating dairy from your diet to see a difference.  Massage the clogged duct gently towards the nipple area in a downward motion.  If you do not catch it in time, it can very quickly become a full-blown infection called mastitis.  I recommend taking 1000mg of vitamin C every one to two hours and massaging an antibiotic category essential oil into the infected area of the breast.  These oils include, but are not limited to Melaleuca, Oregano, Clove and Thyme.  I also recommend taking three to four drops of each of the above oils in a capsule every two hours until improvement is seen.  After that, four times a day should be sufficient to ward off lingering infection.

          More information can be found by visiting our website at www.EOEducation.com or by emailing info@eoeducation.com.  These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.

About The Author:

Kristy Hauck of Tampa, Florida founded Essential Oils Education, LLC to help provide communities and families with science based research about the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of CPTG essential oils. After doTERRA changed her family’s life, she knew others would benefit from CPTG essential oils even more than she had.

Kristy moved to Clearwater, Florida from her native state of Colorado in 2007 for a corporate sales job. After getting married and having a beautiful baby boy in January of 2013, Kristy wanted more time with her family. She quit her corporate job to stay home and after some time at home, Kristy stumbled upon doTERRA. After careful investigation, she never looked back. Kristy has a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University and currently teaches most of EOE’s essential oil classes. She enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, yoga, kayaking and traveling.