Sweet relief for the….um…”girls”

DISCLAIMER: This post is about breastfeeding and I will use the word “nipple” more than once. You have official been warned.

 

If you have been following my blog then you know that sweet little Bitty is doing a number on “the girls” during feeding time. For any nursing mom, the first few weeks can be a bit harsh on the nipple. After many feedings that resulted in discomfort….let’s be honest, not all nursing session are pain free or comfortable…. I did some research and mixed together a nipple cream that is soothing and safe for babies.

If you are experiencing cracked, sore or bleeding nipples, here is the cream for you. Super easy and inexpensive. My high school english teacher always told me to give credit where credit is due…I found the recipe on the Elliott Homestead blog. 

NIPPLE CREAM

4 TBSP of pure cocoa butter

2 TBSP olive oil

2 TBSP sweet almond oil

1 TBSP coconut oil

Melt down the oil and mix together. I personally use a small mason jar. Place oils in jar and set down in a boiling pan of water until all oils are melted down. Remove from heat, let cool a bit and stir in 3 drops of lavender. Place lid on jar and let solidify. Make sure you use 100% pure oils. I prefer Young Living. You can browse my website to look at the company and products.

After every nursing session and before pumping, apply nipple cream. I have noticed a huge difference in the comfort level.

I did it….I used the word nipple 5 times. That’s a Normal Girl record!

Happy nursing!

Connected at the….

Yep…you guessed it…boob. That is how sweet little Bitty Buns and I spend our days. Seeing as she is only 4 weeks old…I wouldn’t expect it any other way. There are things with this little one I have done and will do that I wish I had done with my others. I cherish my time with my kids and watching them grow up at an incredible speed is amazing!

The hubs and I are pretty darn sure that we are done having babies….which is a HUGE bittersweet feeling. I do not want to have another surgery but it makes me a bit sad to think of  not having “first” moments after Bitty.

Because of our decision, I am taking in every minute of every day. I am doing things much different than I did with the first two. I want to kick myself in the tail for not starting my crunchy routine earlier.

I LOVE breastfeeding. I love that I can take her out on errands and not have to worry about taking any bottles, formulas, etc with me. I have the two things I need with me all the time. I am REALLY REALLY hoping to nurse until 1 years old or longer. When I get discouraged or feeling the Boob Burnout,  Breastfeeding Place  is a great blog to read and get re-energized and motivated.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my pocket cloth diapers. I decided to go with Sun Baby Diapers (click name for link). They are reasonable and the prints are adorable.  I save money, save my little ones hinny and reduce our carbon footprint on the planet.

I also use cloth wipes and a wipe solution as opposed to disposable wipes. These have worked out awesomely! I bought the Bumkins Flannel Wipes from Amazon and the wipe solution is SUPER easy.

 

WIPE SOLUTION:

1 cup distilled water

1 TBSP Dr. Bronners Unscented Mild Castille Soap

1 TBSP Sweet Almond Oil

3 Drops Tea Tree Oil

2 Drops Lavender

 

Mix together and pour over wipes. I roll mine up in an empty wipes container…a tupperware will work as well.

I use and adore Young Living Essential oils for all my oily needs.

 

As I continue my crunchy mom journey…I will keep you posted.

 

What do you do that constitutes as “crunchy”?

Peace, love and chemical free

 

The hubs has been referring to me as his hippy wife lately. Why you ask? I guess because I have started making my own skin products. In my quest to become chemical free in our daily life…or as close as I can, I have researched online and asked around for some recipes that are easy and clean. The more I read and research, the more grossed out I get with all the gunk in products I use daily, on myself and my kids. The hubs is a great sport, but a slow convert. I inform but don’t pressure him into totally conversion!

My quest so far has included eliminating my household cleaning products that contain chemicals and only use all natural. My product of choice currently is Thieves household cleaner  by YoungLiving. I use it in every room for every cleaning purpose. I even use it to wash my fruits and veggies…that is how safe this product is.

As many of you already know, I have taken myself and the kiddos off all OTC meds. I use a combination of essential oils and TLC to combat whatever ailment they are encountering. Fingers crossed and prayers said, my children are and have been pretty darn healthy! I attribute that to allowing them to only drink water, occasionally a juice but they truly are not fans, and a wide variety of healthy food options.

Now to my current endeavors. This week I have made lotion from scratch and deodorant.

LOTION

I love the lotion recipe I chose. I use the one I found on WellnessMama blog, which happens to be one of my new favorite blogs. She has soooooo many homemade natural recipes to tryout.

This lotion recipe –> click HERE, is super simple, smells delicious and works great. I plan on making different variations and trying them out.

DEODORANT

As far as the deodorant recipe goes, I just made it today and am trying it out. I will keep you posted. My cousin and his wife swear by it and heck,  I am will to try it.

This particular deodorant recipe –> click HERE, was found on the CrunchyBetty blog, which just happens to be another awesome blog with natural homemade recipes.

 

Time will tell and I will definitely fill you all in. Next on my list is homemade laundry detergent.

I can’t wait to hear your questions and/or comments. Please don’t hesitate!!!

 

Zucchini Carrot Bars. Healthy and delicious

If I am in the kitchen baking, you know I must be pregnant and nesting. I LOVE to cook…the baker, I am not. HOWEVER, when I saw the recipe for these zucchini carrot bars, I had to try it. I am SO happy I did, and so is the bambino.

(click link above for recipe)

I used all organic products (where available) and for the frosting I used 4 drops of Young Living’s Lemon Oil for flavoring.

This pregnancy is so different from my others. In the beginning, I craved sweets, but recently…I can’t get enough of the healthy stuff! My body will appreciate that when it comes time to get rid of the baby weight.

 

Back pain gone AND no greasy creams…yes please!!!

Every since my ever growing uterus has made its appearance, my lower back has been giving me daily troubles.

Enter…Panaway

Great aid in muscle pain from sitting at a computer, pregnancy, exercise, etc…

Also great when rubbed on temples to relieve a tension headache.

An aromatic blend of wintergreen, clove, helichrysum and peppermint proves beneficially by inhaling as well as topical application!

This has to be one of my favorite oils!

DISCLAIMER: I am not a Dr. Just a normal girl that prefers the use of oils over OTC Meds with myself and my family. Need ordering information please see my “YOUNG LIVING ROCKS” page or comment for specifics!

The dreaded stomach bug…what my family does instead of OTC meds.

It hits like a ton of bricks…out of no where!  Running to the bathroom, skin sweaty, pulse racing…. the dreaded stomach bug. In the past 24 hours, myself (at 6 months pregnant), the hubs and our 5 year old Monkey have all been hit!

At first sign I immediately began diffusing Thieves in my cool water diffuser. One of the benefits of Thieves, amongst literally hundreds, is its cleansing antiseptic abilities.

 

Thieves is not only diffused, but also is applied topically to the bottoms of the feet. This is a sure fire way to enter the body at rapid speed.

Another weapon in my oily medicine bag is peppermint.

Peppermint is known for its soothing ability for abdominal discomfort associated with bugs, travel sickness, or over indulgence at dinner. Simply massage a couple of drops on the abdomen periodically until feeling subsides. When applying to my kiddos, I dilute with some drops of a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil.

What I love about switching over to essential oils is that I know what I am putting on mine and my families bodies and in our system. I can pronounce the ingredients and don’t have to question sketchy side effects.

 

DISCLAIMER: I am just a normal girl and not a doctor. I just share what works for me and my family. Please look under the YOUNG LIVING ROCKS tab for order information.