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Fennel Essential Oil For Milk Supply
As the name suggests, essential oils are often used as home remedies for various ailments.
A breastfeeding mother may use an essential oil for milk supply for various reasons, including sore nipples, low milk production, mood swings, digestive problems, lack of energy, and sleep disruptions.
New parents often turn to natural remedies rather than traditional ones.
While natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe, essential oils can bring much-needed relief.
What are Essential Oils
A breastfeeding mom’s supply of milk is dependent on her own health, and essential oils are one of the tools in her toolbox.
If you’re not producing enough milk, essential oils can increase your milk supply and improve your mood.
Lavender essential oil, for instance, can help a nursing mother get some restful sleep.
Lavender can help a nursing mom boost her milk supply.
But it is important to keep in mind that essential oils should never replace a breastfeeding mom’s doctor’s advice.
Your milk supply is also influenced by your genetics and how you empty your breasts.
So, while some oils can increase your milk supply, others may have no effect at all.
It is important to use a certified, pure grade essential oil to ensure safety.
You should also follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to prevent any adverse effects before using essential oils around your child.
Essential oils aren’t safe for babies and should not be used directly on the breast.
They should be applied topically or diluted in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
You should also consult a doctor before using essential oils, as the combination of essential oils will vary from mother to mother.
In addition, some essential oils are derived from solvents.
Therefore, they should only be used when the doctor approves it.
While there is little evidence to support essential oil use to increase milk supply, frequent breast massage can be beneficial for both mom and child.
Frequent breast massage has many benefits for nursing moms, including reduced pain associated with breastfeeding, an increase in milk production, improved suckling, and less engorgement, plugged milk ducts, and mastitis.
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Certain essential oils can cause photosensitivity and are toxic for children.
Always consult with a health care provider before using essential oils, as they can have adverse effects.
You can also dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying to the skin.
The carrier oil will prevent rashes and irritation.
So, while essential oils are natural, it is always best to seek medical advice before using any new product.
Properties of Essential Oils
Essential oils are compounds from plants that hold the flavour and scent of that plant.
These compounds have many health benefits.
Different types of essential oils have varying properties, but many are beneficial for milk supply.
They can be extracted through various methods, such as steam distillation or mechanical techniques.
The chemical compounds with aroma are then mixed with carrier oils before being used.
Some of the most common essential oils are lavender, spearmint, eucalyptus, dill, and lemon.
When choosing essential oils for breastfeeding, consider the safety of using them.
Most essential oils for pregnancy are safe to use under medical supervision, but they may not be recommended in high concentrations for breastfeeding mothers.
The safety of essential oils depends on the oil used.
Young and Tisserand’s Essential Oil Safety contains a comprehensive list of safe and harmful essential oils.
Before applying essential oils to the skin, it’s important to dilute them to a 1% strength.
To dilute essential oils, combine three drops of the oil with two teaspoons of carrier oil.
The mixture will fit into a 10-milliliter bottle, or it can be stored in a roller bottle.
To minimize the risk of skin irritation and rashes, test a small area of skin with the mixture.
If it causes a reaction, dilute the oil with a carrier oil first.
Another essential oil that helps increase milk supply is fennel essential oil.
It contains antibacterial and antifungal properties and has been used as an herbal remedy for lactation.
While this herb may cause allergic reactions, it’s recommended that pregnant women avoid fennel oil.
Additionally, fennel oil should not be applied to the skin more than 10 times in a row.
If the oils are applied to the skin, it’s best to use them within a few days.
Peppermint oil is a common essential oil for lactation.
However, it has been associated with problems with babies’ lungs.
Lemon balm oil is also thought to reduce milk supply. Lemon balm belongs to the mint family.
While it is similar to peppermint, it is safe to use when applied topically by a mother.
If you’re breastfeeding, don’t use lemon balm oil, as it is considered an herb, so you’re best to stick to a herbal remedy or essential oil.
Cause of Lack of Milk Supply of a Woman
A woman may have a low milk supply due to several reasons, including pregnancy and hormonal imbalance.
Other factors may also contribute to a woman’s low milk supply, such as a polycystic ovary syndrome or a medical problem affecting the thyroid gland.
Several factors can affect the hormones oxytocin and prolactin, which are essential for breast milk production.
Nerve damage during birth can interfere with the oxytocin release and inhibit the milk supply.
Other reasons may include stress, a poor diet, or negative associations that inhibit oxytocin function.
In some cases, an older age may also play a role in a woman’s low milk supply.
Aging can affect her hormones, fertility, and health.
In cultures where breastfeeding is encouraged, older women can relact successfully.
Some autoimmune disorders can also impact a woman’s milk production.
It’s important to understand why you might have a low milk supply, because it’s important to find the right feeding plan for your infant.
A poor latch or delayed onset of lactogenesis can also affect a woman’s milk supply.
A woman who has had a previous breast surgery or a difficult birth may experience decreased milk production after breastfeeding.
Despite these possible causes, breastfeeding is safe and effective, and women with a low milk supply are an exception.
Just about one third of women produce more breast milk than their babies.
However, some women may experience a lower supply than those who breastfeed exclusively.
Various studies have confirmed that PIM is one of the most common causes of low milk supply in women.
However, these studies are based on the mother’s perception, which is questionable and often inaccurate.
While PIM is a valid indication of low milk supply, it may not be a reliable indicator.
Therefore, practitioners need to learn more about PIM and its limitations.
Once they understand this, they can better serve their mothers and infants.
Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible.
A woman’s milk supply will decrease if she waits too long to begin nursing.
Holding her baby’s skin to skin within the first hour is a good way to stimulate breastfeeding.
The ideal amount of breastfeeding is eight to twelve times per day.
Make sure your baby is properly latched and positioned. Also, look for signs of swallowing.
Best Essential Oil for Milk Supply
If you’re nursing, you’re probably looking for ways to boost your milk supply.
Many different foods can increase your milk supply. Other people believe essential oils can do the same.
Read on to learn more about essential oils for milk supply. Is peppermint oil good for breast milk supply?
Here are some of the best essential oils for breastfeeding. This article contains affiliate links.
If you’re concerned that peppermint oil is harmful for your baby, don’t use it.
Basil essential oil is another popular option.
This oil has progesterone-like qualities and is known to increase milk production.
When diffused for longer periods, it can also balance hormones.
Fennel essential oil can be a good choice, though it should not be used more than 10 days in a row.
Avoid mixing essential oils with other oils or using too much of a single oil.
But before you use any essential oil for milk supply, make sure you check the manufacturer’s instructions first.
Peppermint is also a common choice.
Peppermint is thought to reduce milk supply, but the essential oil can have the opposite effect.
Peppermint tea, however, contains a low amount of peppermint, so you should avoid consuming it if you’re nursing.
Similarly, peppermint can help with weaning.
If you’re breastfeeding, you may also want to avoid oregano because it reduces milk production.
If your breastmilk supply is low, consider adding an essential oil to your diet.
Lavender is particularly soothing, and can boost your mood as well.
If your breasts are emptying, lavender can help you sleep better at night.
But remember that any oil should only be used in small doses and should not be applied directly to the breast.
And you should always be sure to wash off the oil before touching the baby.
You might even want to consider essential oil for milk supply if your breasts are swollen or drooling.
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