Breastfeeding can be a difficult process for new moms, especially because it can have its own aches and pains. Breastfeeding is still always a good start for healthy babies. It has been backed with tons of research stating that breast milk is best for newborns. This is mainly because the vitamins and nutrients that a baby needs for good health is in the milk, but it is also packed with disease-fighting substances to up your baby’s immune system.
Before using essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. It’s best to only use oils topically and for a specific purpose, like soothing discomfort, during this time.
Some essential oils may be too harsh on breastfeeding moms as they may be toxic, carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, abortifacient, embryotoxic, fetotoxic, or teratogenic.
Essential Oils to AVOID While Pregnant and Breastfeeding
- Anise
- Araucaria
- Artemisia
- Atractylis
- Sweet Birch
- Buchu
- Calamint
- Carrot seed
- Cassia
- Chaste tree
- Cinnamon bark
- Costus
- Cypress (blue)
- Dill seed
- Fennel (bitter)
- Fennel (sweet)
- Feverfew
- Genipi
- Hibawood
- Ho leaf
- Hyssop
- Lanyana
- Mugwort (common)
- Mugwort (great)
- Myrrh
- Myrtle
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Pennyroyal
- Rue
- Sage
- Tarragon
- Thuja
- Western Red Cedar
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
- Wormwood (Sea)
- Wormwood (White)
- Yarrow (Green)
- Zeodary
Essential Oil Safe For Breastfeeding
Here’s a list of oils (diluted at 1.5% or less) that are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy & breastfeeding. Before using essential oils during this time talk to your doctor. Don’t use essential oils during your first trimester.
- Amyris
- Bergamot
- Cedarwood (Atlas, Himalayan)
- Chamomile (German, Roman)
- Cinnamon Leaf
- Eucalyptus
- Frankincense (carterii/sacra, frereana, serrata)
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Helichrysum
- Ho Wood
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemon Eucalyptus
- Lime
- Mandarin
- Neroli
- Orange (Sweet)
- Patchouli
- Pine
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Spearmint
- Spikenard
- Tangerine
- Vetiver
- Ylang Ylang
To help boost milk supply for breastfeeding, you can use almond or jojoba oil as a massage oil for your breasts once a day. Start under the arms, move under the breast, then in toward the cleavage, then up between the breasts, continuing around the breast in a circular movement, avoiding the nipple. Remember to wash the oil off before breastfeeding!
As a mom of two, I can attest that breastfeeding is not easy. Especially at the start. Here are some uncomfortable symptoms and how to care for them with essential oils!
Helpful Tips for Uncomfortable Symptoms
Nipple and Breast Soreness
This is one of the most common problems for breastfeeding mothers, especially because the pain and soreness can be experienced even outside breastfeeding. Soreness, swelling, inflammation, cracking and eventually, the splitting of nipples can happen.
To support your nipple health, gain permission for your physician and make yourself a blend of this recipe and massage onto the nipples in the weeks prior to giving birth.
Please note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your doctor before using essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Sore Nipple Blends: After gaining permission from your doctor, mix 40 ml Sweet Almond Oil, 20 ml Avocado Oil, 40ml Jojoba Oil with 20 ml calendula infused oil and massage into nipples.
Breast Compress: After gaining permission from your doctor, mix 7 drops of either Chamomile German, Chamomile Roman, or Lavender in 475ml of boiling water. You can also blend two oils using three drops each. Let it cool and use for compress.
Breast Abscesses
This symptom can happen before birth but is a more common symptom after. The breasts can feel swollen, painful, sensitive, and hot to the touch. Sometimes, a pulsating feeling and redness occur. Your physician can recommend treatments to help with breast abscesses. With your physician’s permission, you can also try the following blends to help support your breasts’ health.
Please note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Breast Abscess Blend: After gaining your physician’s permission, mix together 15 drops Chamomile German, 10 drops Lavender and 5 drops Eucalyptus. Place 10 drops of this mixture into a saucer of warm chamomile tea with 10ml of colloidal silver. Soak a piece of unbleached cloth in the mixture and place the compress over the breast. Repeat the treatment twice a day for five days only.
If discomfort continues, prepare a different blend with the same quantities of the essential oils above, diluted in 60ml carrier oil. Gently apply a small amount on the breasts twice a day until symptoms ease. It isn’t recommended to breastfeed with a breast abscess so once the condition has subsided, immediately stop using the blend.
Mastitis
Commonly caused by a bacteria, its symptoms may include hot red swelling and a hard lump in the breast. As it is an infection, a fever may accompany these symptoms. If you have mastitis, talk your doctor or lactation specialist.
What Have You Learned Through Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your child. There are many great benefits as well! Share your breastfeeding stories with us in the comments below or by connecting with us on social media @fromsimplyearth. We love knowing more about your journey!
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