How to Ideas for Grandma's .....

NURSING PROBLEMS?
It's so hard to watch a young mom, who wants to nurse her baby, struggle with not having enough milk or with mastitis. Grandma's are supposed to KNOW how to help! 
If this is a problem with a new mom in your life, pass along this helpful info regarding the use of essential oils:
This is a testimony from a friend of mine about her problem with a low milk supply for her baby:
"About a week ago, my milk supply practically disappeared, barely producing 1 oz it seemed, which I wasn't too excited about because I really wanted to keep nursing my baby for as long as I could his first year of life. I had heard of using doTerra Basil Oil to help increase milk supply, so I decided to try it because I wanted to use the most natural help I could find to try and keep providing for my hungry little guy. I started using it 3-4 times a day and by the 3rd day of using it, I had to start pumping TWICE a day because of the increase in my supply!"
How exactly did she do it? 
1-2 drops 2-3 times a day with a little coconut oil. Rubbed on top and side of boobs but not on the nipple. She did it right after a feeding so she didn't smell too strongly of it when he nursed.

Want to give it a try? Click here to purchase. 

What about Mastitis? What advice can a Grandma give on this subject?
This article, from "Everything Essential.me" has lots of great info about it.
In a nutshell, the following are oils you can try:

1. Frankincense & Basil:Using 1-2 drops of each and gently massage from the armpit area working towards the aureola. Sometimes a cool compress will also help with the pain and swelling. Repeat every 1-2 hours until symptoms subside.
2. Lavender & Melaleuca:Using 1-2 drops of each and gently massage from the armpit area working towards the aureola. Repeat every 1-2 hours until symptoms subside.
3. On Guard & Basil: Using Fractionated Coconut oil, On Guard blend and Basil, gently rub 1 drop of each beginning in the armpit area and work towards the aureola, being sure to avoid the nipple because On Guard tends to feel warm on most people. Also use 1 drop of each on the bottom of the feet. (from http://earthmommanaturals.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/mastitis-what-with-a-doterra-twist/)

SWADDLING: When my babies were little, no one told us about "swaddling".
I wish they had since I had colicky babies and this might have been a life-saver
to help them sleep and keep my sanity.

I found this website at Aden & Anais that gives visual directions for
"swaddling" a baby -  Remember, we're grandma's and we're supposed to know!

THE BASIC SWADDLE

STEP 1 Lay the swaddle in a diamond shape and fold the top corner down to form a triangle. Place your baby in the center of the folded area with their head just above the fold of the swaddle. Ensure that your baby’s shoulders are still below the fold. STEP 2 Place your baby’s right arm slightly bent at the elbow flat against their body. Take the left side of the swaddle and bring it across your baby’s chest. Ensure their arm is securely under the fabric. Tuck the edge of the swaddle under their body to ensure a secure swaddle. STEP 3 Fold the bottom of the swaddle up & over your baby’s feet. STEP 4 Finally, place your baby’s left arm slightly bent at the elbow against their body, take the right side of the swaddle & bring it across your baby’s chest. Tuck the excess fabric underneath your baby to secure the swaddle.

COMMON BABY/CHILDHOOD MEDICAL ISSUES:

A few months ago I started researching information about essential oils to use instead of harsh, over-the-counter drugs. When my children were little, I tried so hard to do things the "natural" way but I wish I had known then what I've learned now as a grandmother!

When purchasing essential oils, It's very important to use nothing but the most pure and safe, therapeutic-grade essential oils because many store-bought oils can have solvents, pesticides, synthetics and other chemicals. You cannot always tell by looking at the label. You can however, be pretty certain they can't be pure if they are cheap! Although you might not realize it, you've been using essential oils all your life. You've no doubt used them in soaps, furniture polishes, perfumes, and ointments. Although it only takes a few leaves of peppermint to make a tea, it takes five pounds of leaves to make one ounce of essential oil. One source states that it takes an entire acre of peppermint to produce just 12 pounds of oil. The same source says that 12,000 rose blossoms are required to produce a tablespoon of rose oil! These concentrated versions are the ones you see marketed in small, dark bottles. Remember everything we put onto our skin also goes into our body. That's why I trust doTERRA brand oils for my grandchildren because they are so thoroughly tested to be free of pesticides, fillers and contaminants.

You will want to make sure and dilute the oils for little ones to avoid irritation or sensitization, to aid in absorption and also to expose the babies to a lower amount of the oils. While doTERRA's oils are very safe, the liver can only process so much at a time, so there's no reason to overdo or waste money by using them undiluted.
For newborns/infants/babies dilute 1 drop of essential oil per 1 tablespoon of carrier oil

So what are the most gentle oils for your newborn or infant? *

Appropriately diluted these oils can be used from birth:

• Roman Chamomile
• Lavender
• Serenity blend
• Melaleuca (Tea Tree oil)
• Frankincense
• Lemon
• Orange

*Many other oils can be used safely. These are the oils I've found to be most gentle. Use all essential oils at your own discretion

Single oils to avoid until they are older :  Cassia, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Oregano, Peppermint, Thyme. These oils can all be extremely irritating to the skin and/or irritating for new and tiny respiratory systems. These oils are less of an issue as part of a blend but typically can be substituted with a more gentle oil from the list above. Always use your own discretion, experience and resources in making these choices for your child.

Common Baby Issues and Solutions: 

1. Fussy/trouble sleeping: Dilute Lavender or Serenity and apply the the feet and on your chest if you are holding them. You can wipe extra on their blanket/clothes (I've found that doTERRA oils and their Fractionated Coconut oil do not stain!). Diffusing the oils is also very helpful as well as daily infant massage.

2. Tummy trouble, gassy, etc. : Dilute 1 drop each of lavender and orange in 2 TB carrier oil and rub baby's tummy in a clockwise direction for at least 30 seconds. Apply every 15-30 mins until their tummy is settled.

3. Bumps, bruises: Frankincense is anti-inflammatory and great choice for anything involving swelling, bruising or skin trauma. Babies and small children learning to roll, crawl and walk can take some scary spills!

4. Diaper rash: Dilute 1 drop of each of Lavender and Melaleuca in unrefined or fractionated coconut oil or Lanolin. Apply each time you change their diaper. 

5. Teething pain: Use diluted Lavender, Roman Chamomile, or Serenity along the jawline as often as every 15-30 minutes. 

6. Ear pain*: Dilute lavender and melaleuca and apply around the ear (never put oils IN the ear) frequently, massaging down towards the lymph nodes to encourage drainage. You can also use the diluted oils on a cotton ball placed in the ear - you can use a bandaid to help keep it in place but *Please always supervise your baby when using a cotton ball and/or bandaid to make sure they do not get either into their mouths. 

7. Cough/congestion: Dilute Melaleuca and Lemon and apply the chest, back and feet several times an hour. A combo of Frankincense and Lavender can be very helpful when the cough is more croup-like.

I can't imagine taking care of my grand baby without doTERRA oils anymore. 
If you want to try some of these oils, click here.

*I am a mom, not a doctor. This blog post is my opinion and no part of it is intended as medical advice. We advise that you always work with your child's doctor to care for them.