Motherhood

The Best Essential Oils for Common Childhood Ailments

November 23, 2018 By Diedre 2 Comments

Three years ago, I started using Young Living essential oils and made a step towards wellness for my family.

It all started when my daughter, who was two at the time, stayed sick. She was in a half day preschool program at a local church and every time she would get over one sickness, she would catch another.

It was exhausting, costly and sad. On her 2nd birthday, she got a stomach virus and threw up all day. Because her birthday is so close to Thanksgiving, none of her school friends showed up (thankfully!) The party was at my mother in law’s house and we went home early.

Even after there was no food left in her stomach, she continued to throw up. As a mother, I felt completely helpless. She had been sick off and on all year, and to be sick on her birthday was the last straw for me. I knew I had to do something different.

A church friend of mine had been posting on Facebook about Young Living essential oils. She was a grandmother and said that she wished she knew about them when she had children.

A recurring cough was the biggest issue for my daughter, so I asked her what she recommended to help make it less brutal.

She pointed me in the direction of RC and Thieves. She printed out some information and told me how to make a roller bottle.

After a few months of continuous use, I started to see a difference. Not to say that she never got sick anymore, but the length and intensity of her sickness decreased! We were no longer sitting up at night watching fevers for weeks off and on.

When she got a cold or virus, we rubbed our roller ball mixture of thieves & RC on her feet. When she had a cough or sniffle, she was able to run around and play instead of just lying around on the couch.

So when I share about my love for Young Living essential oils, it’s because of how it has helped my family!!

Here are a few of my favorite oils that I use for my children when they have various ailments:

Emotional Support

Joy, Gentle Baby, Peace & Calming.

Itching

Rose Ointment. It is gentle enough for babies. I used this a lot of my feet and stretch marks while I was pregnant.

Insect Bites

Purification Or Owie. Since Owie is already diluted for kids, I put it directly in a roller bottle and keep in my purse or diaper bag at all times.

Once we were headed out the door and a horse fly bit my daughter. I applied Owie on the bite site and she was fine after a few minutes. Trust me, this is the child who would normally scream and cry.

Restlessness/Insomnia

lavender for the win. Young Living also makes a sleepy blend gentle enough for babies!

Accidents

Are your kids clumsy sometimes? I know mine are. When they fall and get hurt sometimes the smallest scrape can cause the biggest tantrum! Young Living makes an Owie blend that is already diluted for kids.

Cradle Cap

Diluted lavender on the scalp

Cold weather sniffles

RC & Thieves.

*Side note: when children are not used to essential oils, it is best to dilute them with a carrier oil. *

Common Carrier oils=jojoba oil, olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil

For the most common ailments in my house (cough, teething & tummy pain) I have roller bottles made and ready to go. The kids know that oils make them feel better, so my two older kids will often apply the roller bottles themselves.

pdf EO

BONUS:

Here are a few oils that have been helpful to me during the postpartum period:

Fennel: applied directly to breasts to aid in milk supply

Frankincense: applied to c-section scar to help reduce swelling after surgery

Gentle Baby: applied to baby when fussy and on dryer balls for baby’s laundry

Peppermint-I used this heavily for nausea while pregnant, diffused in my hospital room after birth and I dropped two drops in the baby’s bath water when he had the sniffles

Are you ready to start your wellness journey with Young Living? Click here.

Disclaimer: Any suggestions made on this blog are very specific to Young Living essential oils and should not be used with oils from another source. Statements made on this website about Young Living Essential Oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician.

4 Quick Tips to Speed Up Recovery From A C-Section

November 21, 2018 By Diedre Leave a Comment

Recovery from a c-section is tough on a new mother’s body.

A c-section is major surgery, and the recovery process can take weeks (sometimes months) to heal & can occasionally come with complications.

Seven months ago, I had my 3rd c-section. It was unavoidable as I’d had two previously. My first baby was breech and did not want to turn.

My second baby was head down, but I had contractions and my doctor wasn’t available, so I opted for another c-section out of fear. Unfortunately I had an infection and spent 7 weeks following the birth at Wound Care weekly.

My scar was reopened and my husband was tasked with packing my wound daily, which pushed my recovery back significantly.

This time around, my pregnancy and delivery went off without much of a hitch, and for that, I am thankful! Here are a few ways that I recovered quickly this time around:

Rest

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not great at this. Most moms probably aren’t.

Even while we are resting, our minds are thinking of things we should be doing. The day after I was discharged from the hospital, I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy. The right side of my face went numb and from the research I did, I found that the onset is due to stress on the body.

I really had minimal intent on resting after birth. I now have 3 kids (2 in school) and my son was born in harvest season (the busiest season for a farmer!).

Being diagnosed with Bells Palsy was a wake up call for me. I realized that getting stuff done was not more important than my health. So now when I’m tired, I rest.

If I feel compelled to do something, I make a to do list while resting.

Minimize stress to your midsection

My bed sits up high, so after having the baby, I found that I experienced pain when I got on and off the bed. There were many nights that I slept in the recliner until it was comfortable enough to return to my bed.

When you are caring for a newborn, it’s inevitable that you have to get up off the bed frequently.

While your wound is still fresh, try to find a comfortable spot that doesn’t require you to put stress on your midsection.

Keep your scar clean

If you notice anything unusual, consult your doctor immediately (bleeding at the sight, etc)

After my 2nd baby, I experienced my scar turning to keloid and I had endometriosis in my scar. I had to get it cut off. I was concerned about having to do this again after baby #3, so I researched natural methods of recovery after a c-section.

I turned to Young Living essential oils. I applied Frankincense oil directly to my scar (if your body isn’t use to applying oils neat, I would suggest mixing with a carrier oil first like coconut, sweet almond or jojoba).

Why Frankincense? Well because it has so many great properties! Like:

antidepressant
anti-infectious
anti-inflammatory
antiseptic
expectorant
immune-stimulant

Just to name a few! Trust me, there’s a reason why the wise men brought it to Jesus. There are over 52 references to it in the bible.

Are you interested in investing in nontoxic options for your family? Order Here.

Stay Hydrated

If you are nursing, this is a must. In order to replenish what you are giving your baby, you must stay hydrated.

Even if you are not breastfeeding, staying hydrated after a c-section will eliminate excess fluid and help your body return to normal.

Staying hydrated, even if you don’t have an appetite can reduce gas–which can be very painful while you are recovering.

A full recovery could take up to six weeks.

Just know that your c-section recovery may look different from someone else’s, so don’t get discouraged if your recovery looks different! Remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your newborn!

If you experience severe pain, have a fever more than 100.4, or are experience depressing, self harming thoughts, contact your physician immediately.

Dear Husband, This Is What Postpartum Depression Looks Like

October 20, 2018 By Diedre 3 Comments

Dear Husband,

Postpartum depression is real.

I should take some time to I want to thank you for giving me this wonderful gift. Having a baby is a dream come true. I know you don’t understand why I don’t seem happy after the dream. Trust me, some days I have a hard time understand why too.

Explaining postpartum depression to your husband can be a difficult. Putting into words all the emotions you feel after having a baby is not easy.

We were both nervous about the birth and when the baby would arrive. After we got past that hurdle, we were on a euphoric high. Family came in town, friends brought food, and the visitors made sure we weren’t alone.

And then several weeks went by.

Then a few months.

And reality really started to settle in. I know that I’m not myself, but I don’t want to admit that something may be wrong. That I may be struggling with postpartum depression.

I returned to work, and the balancing act began. This is not my first rodeo, so I know what life after maternity leave looks and feels like.

It’s chaotic. It’s overwhelming. But eventually I get back into the groove of things.

This time, it’s a little bit harder. People are nice. They ask about the baby. My mom still comes into town and helps. Your mom takes care of the baby, so I never have to worry about him while I’m at work.

He’s a happy baby, and has no health problems. I’m breastfeeding and he eats nonstop. I’m thankful that I can breastfeed again, and that he is happy and satisfied.

Explaining postpartum depression to your husband can be a difficult. Putting into words all the emotions you feel after having a baby is not easy.

I know sometimes I smile at him and scowl at you. I pull away from your touch. I promise, you are still attractive to me. In fact, probably more so than before we were married. Watching you hug him and love him makes me love you even more.

Seeing you being a great dad is sexy. And you are a great husband.

Explaining postpartum depression to your husband can be a difficult. Putting into words all the emotions you feel after having a baby is not easy.

I feel lucky when you tell me how beautiful I am despite the bags under my eyes and the remants of bells palsy.

When I hear other women complain about what their husbands don’t do, I am glad that we don’t have those problems.

People make assumptions about large families. Especially when those families are comprised of 2 or more young children. Here's to breaking stereotypes.

I’m sorry you feel like I’m not attracted to you, but I promise I really am. I’m not sure why my heart smiles at you, but my body seems to repel you.

When you ask me why I’m staring off into space, and what’s on my mind, I really can’t tell you why. I don’t know why I can’t stay in the moment sometimes.

You haven’t done anything wrong, and neither have the kids.

We really have a good thing going on. In fact, I’m often giving other moms advice about what to do after baby.

I want that intimacy with you, my husband. I want to make you happy. But there is a part of me that wants to be happy too.

Intimacy means that I am uncomfortable.

I know that makes no sense because, well, I know, we’re married! I shouldn’t have apprehension about intimacy, but I do. The physical part is daunting because my body is not where I want it to be. I know that sometimes my expectations for myself are unrealistic.

Breastfeeding is down to a science, but sometimes I want to be free. I don’t want to be attached to the baby, or you.

I know that sounds bad. Especially because I’m telling you that I love you. If I could be different for you, I would. I would snap back to normal in a heartbeat. But these days, I’m struggling. I don’t know what normal looks like anymore.

Explaining postpartum depression to your husband can be a difficult. Putting into words all the emotions you feel after having a baby is not easy.

I’m use to holding it all together for our family, but I feel like I could snap at any moment.

I love you, and I want to get back to normal. I just don’t remember what normal looks like.

The more I push you away, the more I want you too.

Dear husband, this is a season.

Explaining postpartum depression to your husband can be a difficult. Putting into words all the emotions you feel after having a baby is not easy.

This is postpartum depression.

Does Having A Rainbow Baby Heal The Brokenness of A Miscarriage?

October 18, 2018 By Diedre Leave a Comment

I had a miscarriage, and then I got pregnant with a rainbow baby in the same year. (For those of you that are unfamiliar, a rainbow baby is a baby born after a miscarriage, stillborn or neonatal death)

After the miscarriage, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be okay again.

I’m a school counselor, so I’m pretty familiar with the stages of grief. I know the common signs of depression.

But living it was a different story.

I often felt like there was a black cloud over my head and I was simply going through the motions.

In fact, the day before I found out I was pregnant, I went to the dentist for a cleaning. They had in my chart that I was due for a baby the next month. The hygienist cleaning my teeth had no clue that I had lost the baby 7 months prior. She had no idea the pain she caused me by asking if I had the baby early.

Laying on the dentist chair with my mouth open and having to utter the words I had a miscarriage again left me feeling vulnerable and a shame that I didn’t deserve to feel. Just as I was trying to feel “normal” again, I couldn’t escape the tragedy that had happened to my body.

Fast forward to the next day. I had just dropped my cousin off at the airport and decided to get Starbucks before beginning my work day. After drinking half of my coffee, I felt an overwhelming nausea wash over my body. It was so strong that I searched my medicine cabinets for some medicine that I had taken the last time I was PREGNANT.

Since the miscarriage, my husband and I decided that we would try again to have a baby. Every month that didn’t yield 2 positive lines was another month I tried to pretend not to be disappointed.

I’m generally a healthy person, so the fact that I was searching for medicine to cure the nausea was a hint that I might be pregnant. After so many disappointing tests in the months prior, I couldn’t believe my eyes when the test came out positive.

I jumped up and down. I screamed. I cried. I thanked God.

And then the anxiety set in.

I was excited last time. I told people last time. I made social media announcements. And look what happened.

Fear followed anxiety and the happy tears suddenly changed to fearful ones.

I told myself that I wouldn’t make a doctor’s appointment until I felt like I was close to the 2nd trimester. My miscarriage happened at 10 weeks, so if I could just get past that time, in my mind I would be safe.

But every day that went by, I was stricken with fear. I decided to make a doctor’s appointment in hopes of settling my fear. My doctor’s sent me to the hospital to check my HCG levels to ensure that we would see a baby for my first ultrasound.

I can’t thank them enough for thinking ahead and trying to spare me any potential pain.

Thankfully my HCG levels were in the normal range, so my husband and I went for our first ultrasound at 7 weeks. As I listened to the heartbeat and stared at the ultrasound picture, I tried to get excited. I really did. I tried to remember what it was like to feel nothing but pure euphoria.

But I couldn’t.

Sitting in the ultrasound room reminded me of being there months prior while the ultrasound tech uttered the words no mom wants to hear, “I’m so sorry, I can’t find a heartbeat.”

My husband held my hand and beamed with joy. He noticed the look on my face and asked me what was wrong. I was fighting back tears because I didn’t want to cry in public. I was so scared that our little miracle would be snatched away like our last.

The further I advanced in my pregnancy, the less those overwhelming feelings of fear and anxiety took over. I think I began to feel at peace when I felt him move. His kicks felt like I was growing a baby ninja.

I didn’t have time to get frustrated, because I remembered what it felt like to long for those kicks. In fact, after I had a DNC, I often thought I felt a kick. And then I was reminded that I was no longer carrying a baby.

The day my son was born made all the negative and positive feelings that I’d felt over the course of my pregnancy collide. I had a successful c-section and gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy.

Julian is my last baby and our family is complete.

But having a miscarriage has forever changed me. There are times that I sit in church and I remember the feelings of depression. I remember waking up crying and falling asleep in a pool of tears.

A loss, no matter how early in your pregnancy is still a loss. Occasionally, my heart still aches for the one that I lost. Having my son is a beautiful blessing, but he doesn’t replace the one before him.

During my pregnancy, I struggled when people asked me how many kids I had. I felt like I was forgetting my last baby if I said he was my 3rd child, or if I referenced my 3rd pregnancy. It felt like I was living a lie to not tell that it was my 4th.

But it also hurt to remember that I lost one before him. I also couldn’t take the look of horror and/or discomfort on the faces of women when I told them that I’d had a miscarriage.

I don’t blame them. I didn’t know what to say or how to act towards someone who’d had a miscarriage until I’d had one myself. Then I felt bad for not being there more for my friends who had experienced one before me.

So does having a rainbow baby heal the hurt of a miscarriage?

Yes and No.

The rainbow baby doesn’t replace the baby you lost, but it does help you begin to put the pieces back together again. Babies represent new beginnings and can help your heart overcome the damage that miscarriage causes.

But without acknowledging your hurt, and seeking medical attention if you experience depression, having a rainbow baby cannot heal your pain.

It’s okay to miss the baby you lost and love your rainbw baby at the same time. The conflict of grieving and rejoicing often causes pain that so many women can relate to, however those feelings are normal.

3 Tips To Make Outings With Three Kids (Much) Easier

September 24, 2018 By Diedre 12 Comments

This post is sponsored by Baby K’Tan, but all opinions are my own.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out with my three kids and people look at me with pity, or comment about how full my hands are.

When people look at three child families, they are often met with judgement.

I could give you the cliche, my hands are full, but so is my heart, but if I’m being totally honest, some days my hands are REALLY full. There’s nothing that could have prepared me for having a third child–not even growing up as one of four.

To complicate things even further, my husband is a farmer and many days during harvest season I am (semi) solo parenting.

When my son was first born, I shied away from outings with all three kids because…well…fear.

How would I manage life with three kids? How can outings that used to be fun with 2 kids be fun with three kids?

I learned by trial and error, and some days I’m still learning what works best. Here are a few words of advice from a (semi) solo parent:

Baby Wearing Will Be Your Best Friend

We absolutely LOVE spending time on the farm. It allows us to spend time outside in nature AND spend quality time with my husband while he works.

Since the baby is too little to run around with the animals like his sisters, wearing him in our Baby K’tan affords him the same farm experience as the rest of his family!

It also allows my husband to work hands free with baby in tow.

And the best part about daddy baby wearing is that mommy gets a break!

Pack For Every Emergency Possible

One of the hardest parts of transitioning from 2 kids to 3 is preparing to leave the house. Between my middle child and baby the age difference is 4 years, so I almost forgot what having a baby was like.

My girls are old enough to dress themselves, but they still get cranky when they are hungry, thirsty or tired, but they can tell me what’s wrong.

When I first started taking the 3 of them on all day or half day outings, I would pack for the baby, but sometimes forget about the girls. It was like my brain was on autopilot!

After taking a few day trips and returning with cranky kids & a migraine to boot, I realized that the mommy brain excuse was not going to cut it anymore. Thanks to the mother of all diaper bags, the Baby K’tan Weekender Diaper Bag, I have enough room to carry whatever I need for all 3 kids.

Before my son was born, my girls were too big for a diaper bag, so I often used my purse as a post-diaper bag. The problem with that is there were always crumbs or something wet (ewww) in my purse.

One of the features I love about this bag is that it comes with a built-in antibacterial wet bag!

I also love that it comes with a changing pad. Whether we are at the farm, Target, farmer’s market or grocery store, I can be prepared to change baby boy anywhere we go.

Another amazing feature is the full-size insulated cooler pocket. We live in south Georgia, and summer seems to last most of the year. My girls are always thirsty, and now that the baby has moved on to solids, I usually have some baby food and a bottle in his bag. This feature allows me to keep all of their stuff cold while out in the Georgia sun.

Outings With Three Kids Requires Flexibility

Life with three kids changes things significantly. You have to go to sleep earlier. Rise earlier. Make more lists. Plan in advance. Say no.

And even when you do all those things, life happens. Accidents happen. You have to be able to roll with the punches or you will go crazy.

Take it from this type A mama. I’ve learned how to make things easier by putting in a little extra time and effort into the things I can control, but the things I can’t will not drive me crazy.

Some of the myths you’ve heard about raising three kids are true (i.e you are outnumbered & it’s hard to have one on one time with your kids), but your heart is really just as full as your hands. I promise.

The Truth About Breastfeeding: What No One Wants To Tell You

August 25, 2018 By Diedre 10 Comments

This post is sponsored by Baby K’tan, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I always knew that when I had children I would breastfeed–or at least try.

My first image of breastfeeding was from my mother. I remember her nursing my brothers, so it was normal to me.

Outside of my home, I don’t remember seeing images of other black women breastfeeding. When I had my own family, I remember the judgement from people (even friends) about how long or how much I was breastfeeding.

With no other mirror than my mother, I was often hurt (and frankly annoyed) by people’s judgments. That’s why I’m so excited about the 6th annual Black Breastfeeding Week.

Why is there a Black Breastfeeding Week? The most recent CDC data show that 75% of white women have ever breastfed versus 58.9% of black women. Are you surprised?

Through my own personal journey, there are a few things that I’ve learned about breastfeeding that women aren’t always willing to share. Let me break it down for you:

Breastfeeding Doesn’t Always Hurt

When people find out I breastfeed, sometimes they’ll ask, “doesn’t it hurt?”

Or they’ll tell me that they couldn’t continue because it hurt too much. And honestly, it hurt in the beginning. My two youngest kids have KILLER suction, so it hurt and I was sore for awhile.

Now that I’ve gotten into the groove of things, I don’t have pain anymore. My lanolin is tucked away to be used as lip balm.

Your Baby Will Pinch And Scratch You

One of the sweetest parts of breastfeeding is seeing how content your children are while they nurse. They will often take a break to smile at you, or gaze lovingly into your eyes.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the pinching and scratching.

Maybe because it’s been four years since I’ve had a baby, or maybe because I’m now raising a son in addition to my two girls, but I think my son pitches and scratches more than his sisters did.

As he lovingly stares into my eyes, he also flails his arms around, reaches into my shirt, and pinches and scratches me while he nurses.

My daughters even asked why he was scratching my boobies. I did not have a good answer.

People Will Judge You

You’ll be told so many things about breastfeeding that your head will spin.

They’ll tell you that you are doing it too long, or not long enough.

People will tell you that you nurse too often or that you should’ve introduced the bottle sooner.

They’ll tell you that you’re spoiling the baby if you want to exclusively breastfeed.

My favorite is when people give you the disgusted look for continuing to breastfeed when your child gets teeth.

I ignore the haters. I choose to breastfeed because I can and because it’s the best choice for my baby, so I could care less what others think–even if the opinions come from family and friends.

You Can Breastfeed in Public Discreetly

I get it. We’re in the era of free the nipple and all that jazz. But some people just don’t feel comfortable breastfeeding in public without a cover.

And some babies don’t like breastfeeding with a cover. How do you compromise with a baby?

With baby #3, baby wearing has been the perfect compromise. With the Baby K’tan I can breastfeed my son on the go discreetly, hands free, and without worry of him getting distracted by all the outside stimuli.

Because let’s face it, when babies get old enough to know what’s going on around them, breastfeeding gets tougher.

I also love that the Baby K’tan offers versatility. Most babies like being held a certain way to nurse. My son loves been swaddled & cuddled. Baby wearing allows me to give him what he craves and be hands free!

When It’s Over, You Will Miss It

This was the part I wasn’t prepared for.

My oldest was 14 months old when I weaned her. She was walking, talking, eating table food and even drinking regular milk. I realized that she was breastfeeding just to maintain the connection with me, and for comfort.

Honestly, I was over

it.

I didn’t enjoy the time that used to be so sweet and I was ready to have my body back. Weaning wasn’t easy, nor was it fun.

We did the cry it out method for 3 nights, and then I was free.

I should’ve been happy, but I was heartbroken. No one told me that weaning her, meant weaning my attachment to our bond.

Breastfeeding can be challenging, but with all of the tools available to moms now, the is easier today than it was 10 years ago.

If you want to breastfeed, work past the myths and find a support group of women who can encourage and support you through your breastfeeding journey.