Can I use Essential Oils While Breastfeeding?
YES, but there are a select few which are great to increase milk with breastfeeding.
You ALWAYS need to dilute the essential oils when using them on yourself. They should never be digested by you or your infant. Please do not put them on your nipples. It is always great to reach out to your healthcare provider to tell them what essential oils you are thinking of using.
How to use Essential Oils Safely on Mama?
When using Essential Oils, there are a few ways to use it on yourself.
Here are a few of the ways:
- Diffusers: a few drops on a lamp ring
- Massage Oils: 1 oz of an oil to 15 drops of essential oil
- Misters: Mix the essential oil in water with 15 drops
- Cotton balls: 1-2 drops to set in the room you are in
- Humidifiers: 1-3 drops in the humidifier and run for 20 minutes
- In or on lockets or jewelry 1-2 drops
- Steams: inhaling therapy, 1-3 drops in the bottom of your shower
When using an essential oil you ALWAYS need to dilute the oil.
Here are a few different items you can use to dilute your oils. Using a petroleum based oil is NOT recommended such as mineral oil or baby oil.
- Grapeseed oil
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
- Sunflower oil
- Coconut oil
After mixing your carrier oil and essential oil into a dark bottle or roller bottle you need to shake it 100 times to mix the oil and essential oil together.
When using a misting bottle, I spray 3 sprays and walk through the mist. When using a roller bottle, rub behind your ear or big toe. NEVER rub it on your breast because it will go directly to your breastmilk.
Can Essential Oils boost my Milk Supply?
Can Essential Oils boost my Milk Supply?
YES, let’s look at a few specific oils and ways to use them.
- Fennel: only use 6-15 drops in a roller bottle to use on the bottom of your big toe. This will help with milk production and prevent clogged ducts, infection and thrush.
- Clary Sage: only use 6-15 drops in a roller bottle to use on the bottom of your big toe. This specific essential oil promotes milk supply and can help with balancing your hormones and boosting your mood. In those first few weeks, our hormones are all over the place, so this essential oil is so helpful.
- Lavender: only use 6-15 drops in a roller bottle to use on the bottom of your big toe. This specific essential oil promotes milk supply as well as prevents and heals tender breasts, nipples and clogged milk ducts.
I would rub these on my big toe 1-2 times per day. You can do it in the morning when you are getting dressed and before then before going to bed. You should start to see results of an increase in milk supply in 3 to 4 days of using essential oils.
Are you struggling to go to sleep at night in between feedings?
Here is a pro tip:
Create a roller bottle of 6-15 drops of lavender with a carrier oil such as grape seed. Set it right next to your bed on your night stand. Each time you lay down again to go to sleep, roll the roller bottle right behind your ear. The aroma will lead straight to your nose and help you fall asleep faster.
What Essential Oils CAN I Use while Breastfeeding?
Here are a few of my favorites to use that will help with your breastfeeding journey.
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemon grass
- Chamomile
- Patchouli
- Sandalwood
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
- Neroli
- Marjoram
- Cedarwood
- Jasmine
- Ylang ylang
- Bergamont
- Rose Geranium
- Tea tree
- Rose
- Cypress
- Citrus (in small doses)
- Fennel (in small amounts)
What Essential Oils Should I AVOID While Breastfeeding?
The most common two to avoid during breastfeeding are Peppermint and Sage. Peppermint and Sage will decrease your milk supply which is the opposite of what you are wanting.
Here is a list of a few more that are uncommon:
- Aniseed
- Basil
- Birch
- Camphor
- Hyssop
- Mugwort
- Parsley seed or leaf Pennyroyal
- Sage
- Tansy
- Tarragon
- Thuja
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
What should I NOT do with essential oils?
While breastfeeding you should NOT do any of the following:
- Do not use oils by themselves on your skin
- Do not use if you have a headache, rash or nausea
- Never take them internally aka swallowing them
- Only use in small amounts aka only a few drops
- Do not use in or near eyes
- Use only pure essential oils
- Do not use on open, broken or damaged skin
Where Can I Get Essential Oils?
I would NOT run out and buy them from a local store.
Those essential oils are a perfume type of oil which has chemicals and toxins. These oils are not great for you or a baby while breastfeeding. You should buy through a company that regulates their oils and is in a dark container. The International Childbirth Education Association states your oils should be “pure essential oils.”
Please remember, using essential oils is different for each Mama. Every person will respond differently! Lavender essential oil might give you a headache, but your bestie might never have that reaction to it.
*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.
