Using essential oils when breastfeeding is a topic that many new moms (and soon-to-be moms!) have on their radar.

And rightfully so!

If you're an avid user of essential oils in your everyday life, it's important to see how, and if, you can continue to use them when you're breastfeeding your baby. 

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Can you use essential oils while breastfeeding?

Yes, you can use certain essential oils when breastfeeding.  Educate yourself with which ones are safe to use and which ones are not. 

Tips for using essential oils when breastfeeding

Talk to your doctor about using essential oils when breastfeeding

You want to make sure you're not doing anything that could potentially harm you, your baby, or your milk supply. 

Always remember to dilute it with a carrier oil before applying

Use a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil or jojoba oil work well) to dilute the essential oil.  Dilution does not in any way reduce the essential oil’s effectiveness and actually helps the body’s ability to process it.

Avoid direct application to the nipple and wash off from the breast before feeding your baby.

Essential oils are highly concentrated can be toxic if ingested by your baby.

The Infant Risk Center recommends the following when using essential oils during breastfeeding:

• Topical use only, no internal use

• Use caution regarding interactions with prescription drugs

• Do not apply to infant’s mouth or ears

The Best Essential Oil For Clogged Ducts and Breast Engorgement

Lavender essential oil may help to reduce swelling caused by clogged ducts or engorgement.  

Dilute 1 drop in 4 tablespoons of a carrier oil and massage the breast, avoiding the nipple area.

It’s best to do this right after a feeding so it has time to absorb before close contact with the baby.  Make sure you rinse off your breasts before you breastfeed your baby.

PRO-TIP - Lavender oil can also help you relax as well!  Blend lavender oil and wild orange oil in your difuser to create a calming and uplifting environment throughout the day.

You can also add some lavender essential oil into your bath along with Epsom salts to help you rest and prepare for sleep.

Best Essential Oil to Help With Milk Supply + Induce Lactation

Along with frequent breast stimulation from breastfeeding or pumping, you may be able to help induce lactation or increase your milk supply with the use of basil essential oil!

Use it with a carrier oil.   

PRO-TIP - If you like the taste of basil, add some to your cooking because it’s a lactogenic food!  

Essential Oils to Avoid While Breastfeeding

• Anise

• Araucaria

• Artemisia

• Atractylis

• Sweet Birch

• Buchu

• Calamint

• Carrot seed

• Cassia

• Chaste tree

• Cinnamon bark

• Costus

• Cypress (blue)

• Dill seed

• Fennel (bitter)

• Fennel (sweet)

• Feverfew

• Genipi

• Hibawood

• Ho leaf

• Hyssop

• Lanyana

• Mugwort (common)

• Mugwort (great)

• Myrrh

• Myrtle

• Oregai

• Parsley

• Pennyroyal

• Rue

• Sage

• Tarragon

• Thuja

• Western Red Cedar

• Wintergreen

• Wormwood

• Wormwood (Sea)

• Wormwood (White)

• Yarrow (Green)

• Zeodary 

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