Be Gone Mastitis! Take That!!

If you don't know what mastitis is ... it is an infection in the ducts of a lactating breast. That's a lot of information so if this post is not for you, kindly close it out now.

I am breastfeeding my 9 month old baby girl. I have never had any infection. This past week I was out of town, and started noticing some soreness in my right side. My thoughts, "Oh NO!" Please not while I am out of town. Over about 2 days the soreness became so intense that I could not even hold my baby because I could not even stand anything to touch it.

I figured I was well on my way to a nasty infection. I had thought about loading up on pain meds because I felt so bad. But I stopped, and remembered to try some oils first. I did not have my reference with me so I just went off of gut instinct.

I had a bottle of Mountain Savory oil. It is a good antibiotic. I decided to just rub it all around that area. I said some prayers hoping it would get in there and get rid of any possible infection that could have occurred.

I followed up with some Frankincense because it is just good at healing everything in my opinion.

Then I did what I teach in my childbirth class. I for the first time did a dangle feeding. That was an interesting experience to get in position for. Haha!

But, later that afternoon with plenty of continued nursing I was PAIN FREE!! How amazing!! I don't have the time or energy for full blown mastitis and I am so thankful that these oils helped in preventing that.

Until next time ...


Heather

Fennel and Breastmilk: Take 2!

As you all know I ordered the Fennel oil last month and tried it out by applying some externally to the area for an increase in supply. I did notice just a small difference.

You can read more about increasing your milk supply here.

My baby girl just hit the 6 month mark last week. We are full on in our 6 month growth spurt. At this point I have lost almost all my pregnancy weight by just feeding her (and that was a lot). I am just beginning to run out of my extra fat reserves, so with her appetite in full force as well, I decided it was a sound decision for me to try out this oil internally.

Usually I would get engorged daily. That has NOT been the case these days. I still make plenty but don't have just lots of extra. So I also had the room so to speak for this trial.

I decided to take 2 drops with a spoon of honey every 2 hours. I started in the afternoon. I took it at 2:30, at 4:30, at 6:30, and at 8:30. This was in the evening when I really don't have tons of extra fullness.

The Results

By 8:00 when I went to feed baby girl, I was so full that I was engorged!! It actually surprised me when I went to feed her and felt what had happened. That is awesome! So, I stopped taking it at 8:30 because I was afraid I would get way too engorged.

I am so excited to have this little trick in my back pocket in case I ever feel like I need it some day. But in full disclosure I do know somebody who tried this and did not notice a large difference. If you try it I would love to know your results.

Happy feeding!

Until next time ...


Heather

Fennel Update

I tried the fennel yesterday to see if it made a difference in supply. I did not notice any difference immediately. But, as the evening and this morning have arrived I do notice a slight increase in fullness. Pretty cool!

We have had a full house with a fun girls sleep over last night. I had just gotten my Joy blend in my last rewards order. I got it out and put it in the diffuser in my room and can I say that I have felt SO relaxed and easy going! I thought, 'sure, anything is worth a try', but I have not felt that relaxed in probably more than a year.

So here I go forward in this relaxing day to enjoy it with a house full of little girls! I hope yours is as filled with adventure as ours is sure to be.

Until next time ...

Heather

Fennel and Breast Feeding

So here is what I am trying today. I have a 5 month old baby girl who is exclusively breast fed. I have so enjoyed our nursing relationship together! It gives me such great feelings to watch her thriving! I have researched about using the Young Living Fennel essential oil to increase supply. I do not have a supply issue, but today my body seems to just be keeping up. So I decided it would be a great day to try it out! I have applied a drop directly to the breast. I am curious to see what happens.

I will post an update later today.

Until next time .....

Heather