I have been breastfeeding Jonah for 14 months. He is so welcoming and convenient and we love him, but it hasn’t always been easy. We struggled to get him to latch on in the early days and were advised at hospitals to wear nipple shields.
The shields worked great and we were able to feed ourselves. However, Jonah lost more than 10% of her body weight in the first week. He was very fussy right after eating and cried a lot at night. Concerned and in doubt, we supplement with two 4 oz bottles of formula a day to help him gain weight fast and satisfy his hunger.
And he gained weight! This allowed us to be discharged from the hospital as his weight gain was extensive.
Did he seem more satisfied? Not precisely. In retrospect, I think Jonah’s rampage was normal newborn behavior. So we took supplements for 5 weeks, then gradually tapered off the formula, and I pumped to increase my supply. We went back to exclusive breastfeeding, which was just what I wanted.
Eventually, around four months, we also stopped wearing nipple shields. Jonah decided he didn’t like them and he fidgeted and fidgeted until I took them off. Oh the pain! My breasts weren’t used to the latch of him without the shield protecting them.
Which brings me to this review of weleda’s beautifully comforting lactation oil. Nipple creams and balms are helpful, and I used them in the first few days of breastfeeding. But I really wanted something that would work with the massage, since my breasts were sore. I also occasionally had a milk blister or blocked duct that would need massage and heat to clear up. Weleda Nursing Oil is fantastic for this!
Weleda says that “oil massage cares for the breasts, stimulates the skin, blood circulation and warms the breast tissue.”
They do not claim that their lactation oil increases milk supply. They say the herbs in the formula “are traditionally used during lactation to support healthy lactation and encourage free flow of milk.”
However, the formula contains galactagogues (substances that increase milk supply), which lactating mothers have used to support their milk production.
It is important to note that you should not rely on galactagogues to increase your milk supply. The most natural and reliable way to increase your milk supply is by increasing the frequency and/or duration of feedings/pumping.
Let’s take a look at the beneficial ingredients:
Fennel is a phytoestrogenic herb used by women to increase milk supply. The good thing about fennel is that research supports its traditional use. It can be applied topically as an essential oil or consumed. Fennel can also help relieve colic in infants. Read this wonderful article to learn more about how breastfeeding mothers can use fennel.
Caraway is used by lactating women as a lactation aid and to treat colic, however there are no studies to validate its anecdotal benefits.
Marjoram is an anti-inflammatory lactogenic herb with a history of use to support a healthy milk supply. Again, there is no evidence to show that it increases milk production.
An easily absorbed carrier oil that hydrates the skin without being too heavy, excellent when the next nursing session is not far away.
In the first few days, I found my massage session with Weleda Nursing Oil quite difficult, as it is supposed to be used after a feeding. I found that if the baby was feeding in groups, there might not be much time until the next feeding! But the smell of the herbs in Weleda Nursing Oil seems to wear off rather quickly.
In the first few days, I found my massage session with Weleda Nursing Oil quite difficult, as it is supposed to be used after a feeding. I found that if the baby was feeding in groups, there might not be much time until the next feeding! But the smell of the herbs in Weleda Nursing Oil seems to wear off rather quickly.
Increase the speed of my descent. The combination of massage and the use of Weleda Nursing Oil speeds up my let-down reflex, which means less work for Jonah. In fact, you’re probably a little surprised at what he has to do, so little work to get the milk flowing!
Pamper factor! Excellent for personal care, as it helps me feel comforted and cared for. I feel very pampered after massaging with this oil. My boobs work so hard!
Fix crashes. The oil helps to move the lumpy parts and blocked ducts. Lots of heat and massage for the win!
Does the milk supply increase? The herbs in Weleda Nursing Oil are traditionally used to support lactation, but are not intended to increase milk supply. Then, who knows? I can’t tell if he does, as there’s no reliable way to tell.
Regular massage is necessary to maintain the benefits. I try to massage once a day.
I would recommend Weleda Nursing Oil if you like the idea of using oil breast massage, or if you have blocked milk ducts to work with. It speeds letdown, warms the breasts, feels wonderfully comforting, and is a great way to practice self-care.
Have you tried breast massage? What natural oils do you use? Let me know in the comments!
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