Favorite Tips for Dealing with Nausea & Morning Sickness in Pregnancy

Ok, so let’s talk about queasiness in pregnancy!

Everyone and every pregnancy is different when it comes to upset tummies—some of you might be queasy off and on for a few hours, while others wonder why it isn’t called “all day sickness?!” A lucky 24% of women don’t get this symptom at all and then they might worry why they aren’t having this symptom!

General Tips for Morning Sickness in Pregnancy

Here’s a few ways I’ve found helpful to deal with nausea.

    • Eat smaller meals and snacks more frequently, rather than 3 big meals. Try to eat whole foods but if all you can stomach are some starchy carbs, go with it and hopefully it won’t last more than a few weeks! Potatoes are great for many women.
    • Eat first thing. If mornings are worse for you, keeping snacks (like plain crackers) by your bed to eat first thing in the morning before even getting up can help! Also eating protein before bed that takes longer to digest can help.
    • Don’t let yourself get hungry! Eat before you’re hungry, even if it’s a small snack.
    • Eat mild foods that are more tolerable for your body. Spicy, fatty, or heavy foods may not sit as well, and take longer to digest. I love sandwiching protein in between really bland carbs like a croissant or tortilla.
    • Stay hydrated. Lots of water is vital during the entire pregnancy, but sip it often throughout the day rather than chugging huge amounts at a time. Keep a water bottle nearby at work, in your car, and at your nightstand. Consider adding electrolytes as well.
    • Experiment with your vitamins. Sometimes prenatal vitamins can affect queasiness so pay attention to whether you feel worse after you take yours and experiment with different prenatal vitamins if necessary. Try taking your vitamin right before bed rather than first thing in the morning, and see if it helps.
    • Exercise. It sounds counter-intuitive, but sometimes a walk outside can do wonders. Breathing fresh air, enjoying the sunshine and having a good time can help take your mind off of your tummy and lift your nausea.
    • Avoid Stress. I know, it’s easier said than done but aside from hormonal changes, stress/emotions are another potential cause for nausea.
    • Invest in Quality Products:
      • Be sure you’re getting enough B vitamins, particularly B6. If you have the MTHFR mutation, you’ll need a methylated version.
      • Tea: Anything citrus-y or with ginger is great. I love Earth Mama’s Morning Wellness Tea.
      • Sea Bands: many women swear by these and I did have success with them on a road trip when I was extra queasy.
    • Essential oils—these can be a great additional tool in your toolbox when dealing with an unsettled tummy during pregnancy. Read on to learn more!

Two things to consider before using essential oils

Not every oil works the same for everyone

Essential oils are a great supplemental option to your wellness routine during pregnancy and if you’ve suffered from pregnancy induced digestive troubles or “morning sickness” then you know that you are likely willing to try anything to help ease the symptoms. Of course, essential oils are not a replacement for medical care and should be used as a complement to the care you receive from your doctor or midwife. If you are experiencing extreme nausea and vomiting you definitely need to let your care provider know.

Always consult your care provider

During pregnancy, it’s always a good idea to run any concerns by your care provider. You can also seek the advice of an aromatherapist or a midwife or doula that have extensive experience using essential oils with pregnant women.

8 essential oils for queasiness in pregnancy

1. Lemon

Lemon essential oil, like all citrus oils, is very uplifting and really helpful for women suffering from aversions to smell during pregnancy. Simple open a bottle of lemon and take some deep breaths or try using Lemon (and Citrus Fresh) in your water. Young Living’s vitality oils are safe to ingest and just one drop in your water can make a refreshing drink when it’s hard to keep much of anything down. You can also add lemon essential oil to your tea.

2. Lavender

Lavender is the jack of all trades when it comes to essential oils and can be used for SO many things during pregnancy. It’s super relaxing and calming and great for sleep support. It can also be calming to an upset stomach. Create a roller with lavender and apply it directly to your tummy or behind your ears. Lavender is also great to diffuse to bring feelings of relaxation and help you rest when you’re feeling exhausted and queasy. Take some deep breaths or try a guided meditation when using lavender essential oil for more relaxation.

3. Fennel Seed

For hundreds of years Fennel was used for digestive support and for balancing hormones during a woman’s menstrual cycle. So, it makes sense that it would help with hormone-related upset tummy during pregnancy. During my pregnancy, I used a blend from Young Living that contained fennel called Digize. I made a diluted roller and would rub it directly on my abdomen. You can also try a tea with fennel in it or even use the herb in your cooking. If you’re experiencing smell aversions, fennel may be too strong of a smell for you.

4. Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil has so many great uses during pregnancy including helping with smell sensitivities. You can simply open the bottle and sniff it or diffuse it along with a citrus, like lemon or orange. If you are using Young Living’s Peppermint Vitality which is ingestible, you can also apply one drop to your tongue and press your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Be sure to avoid contact with your eyes.

Note: Some people choose to avoid peppermint in late pregnancy because it can be used to reduce milk supply but I personally used it up until the end and had an abundant milk supply. Use your best judgment and consult your care provider.

5. Ginger

You’ve probably already heard that ginger helps with upset tummy caused by riding in a car or being on a plane or boat. It’s also great for general stomach discomfort. My mom used to always give me gingerale when I wasn’t feel well as a kid—not sure if it actually helped but it sure felt special in a house where sodas were never allowed. Ginger essential oil is another way you can support any queasy feelings. You can diffuse ginger essential oil, use it in a roller and apply topically to your tummy, or even put Ginger Vitality from Young Living in a capsule and take it when you feel your tummy churning coming on.

6. Digize

Digestion issues are pretty common during pregnancy and Digize, a blend of Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli oils, combines several of the oils we’ve already covered to aid in digestive support. Create a roller with Digize and use it during your first trimester on your tummy when you’re experiencing tummy troubles. You can also use Digize Vitality oil by putting a drop on your finger and applying to the insides of your cheeks. Be sure to eat frequent, small meals to help your tummy settle down as well.

7. Spearmint

Spearmint essential oil is a gentler alternative to peppermint and can be used without concern for affecting your milk supply in late pregnancy. Use it in the same ways you would use peppermint—diffuse, rub behind your ears or under your nose or put a drop on your tongue. Be sure to avoid contact with your eyes.

8. Thieves

Thieves Oil is a popular blend for immune support and when you’re suffering from an unsettled tummy and having trouble keeping down nutritious food, an extra boost for your immune system during pregnancy is never a bad idea. You’ll also want to be sure you’re getting plenty of rest and eating healthy food to support your immune system. Thieves contains Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary. Several of those oils are recommended to use with care and caution during pregnancy.

Also ensure you dilute Thieves and use it in moderation, rather than daily. I like to make 10ml roller with just 10 drops of Thieves essential oil and coconut oil and apply it to the bottoms of your feet or simply open the bottle and inhale. The scent of Thieves is really lovely (reminds me of the holidays) and can be great for smell aversions as well.

2 places to purchase essential oils

Local health store

Most local health stores and even many grocery stores carry essentials oils. Unfortunately, not all essential oils are created equal. The regulation around essential oils is pretty nonexistent so companies can claim to have a 100% pure essential oil when actually it’s packed with synthetics or diluted.

Through Young Living!

I had used several essential oils brands prior to getting pregnant and I didn’t realize the difference in quality between many oils you find on the shelves or online versus Young Living oils. You can tell a difference right away when you smell Young Living essential oils and their Seed to Seal commitment was what really sold me on exclusively using their oils. I actually visited their lavender farm in Utah recently and was blown away!

The best way to get your essential oils through Young Living is by becoming a wholesale member so you can order for yourself, whenever you want at the wholesale discount of 24% off. To become a member all you need to do is purchase a premium starter kit once. It’s a pretty great deal because you get a diffuser and 12 of their most popular oils including many of the ones mentioned here (peppermint, lavender, digize, lemon, and thieves are all included!).

Find out more

If you want to know more about how we are using essential oils in our life, you can check out this post. And if you’re ready to get started using essential oils with Young Living, check out this post on everything you need to know about the Starter Kit.

10 Safe Essential Oils for Babies

You may be new to essential oils or have used them for a long time but you’re wondering which ones are safe to use with your new baby. We will go over some guidelines and tips for using essential oils with your baby so you can use them with confidence!

Are essential oils safe for babies?

Essential oils can be an amazing addition to your home and you may already be using them in lots of ways with your family but when baby arrives of course you are more concerned about their sensitive little bodies. Essential oils can be safely used with baby but you should keep a couple of things in mind first.

Always consult your healthcare provider

When starting anything new with your baby, it never hurts to ask your care provider! Some may not be knowledgeable in the use of essential oils so it may be important to you to find one who is.

Dilute heavily

Diluting essential oils is always recommended for people of any age because they are super concentrated. For babies especially, you’re going to want to dilute oils even more! There’s no one answer when it comes to diluting essential oils for babies but since I use Young Living oils, I like to follow their dilution guidelines. For ages 0-1 they recommend 8 drops carrier oil to 1 drop essential oil. A carrier oil that’s great for babies is coconut or jojoba oil.

Start Slow

When starting to use essential oils with your baby it’s a good idea to start slowly! When my littlest one was born, I liked to wear Lavender or a blend called Gentle Baby on my own skin and knew he would be smelling it as well when we cuddled. If you’re using it on your baby, after diluting do a test patch on their leg to make sure they don’t have an adverse reaction before using again. Diffusing before using topically is a good idea (again use less drops than you normally would), and babies shouldn’t be ingesting oils.

10 essential oils that are safe for babies

1. Gentle Baby

Gentle Baby is a special blend from Young Living formulated with Coriander, Geranium, Palmarosa, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Roman Chamomile, and other sweet-smelling essential oils. It will become one of your favorites to use on your baby. It smells so dreamy (basically smells like a new baby!), offers a sense of calming and is so perfect for baby’s skin (remember to dilute!).

The uses for Gentle Baby essential oil are countless, but its soft fragrance is perfect for diffusing in your home or child’s bedroom in the evening or for applying topically because the Gentle Baby blend has all kinds of great oils for your skin. I use it in a homemade diaper balm for my baby!

2. Lavender

Lavender is known for bringing on the sleepy vibes and is a well-loved essential oil for use in baby’s nursery. Simply use one or two drops in the diffuser or create your own linen spray to use in baby’s crib before bedtime.

3. White Angelica

White Angelica is a blend of Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Melissa, Rose, Bergamot, Myrrh, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Hyssop, and Sacred Sandalwood. It’s citrus and woodsy and smells like heaven. Use this oil to create positive vibes and feelings. I love to wear it as perfume and then cuddle with baby and it’s one of our absolute favorites to diffuse in baby’s room at bedtime.

4. Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile is another wonderful essential oil for sleep and calming vibes. You may already drink chamomile tea before bed and be familiar with the fragrant scent. I love to diffuse Chamomile with Lavender and Cedarwood as well as use it in a roller before bedtime.

5. Cedarwood

As I mentioned above, I love to add Cedarwood to my bedtime diffuser blends as well as homemade rollers. You can even use the roller on baby’s feet before bed just remember to dilute more than you would when making a roller for yourself.

6. Copaiba

This has been a very comforting oil to my baby when he’s getting a new tooth. We dilute one drop in a tablespoon of coconut oil and apply it to his jawline. At age15 months, he now asks for his “oils” when a new tooth is trying to come in.

7. Citrus Oils – Bergamot, Tangerine, Orange, Lemon

There are so many amazing citrus oils that can be so lovely to use with your baby. I especially like to add a drop of a citrus oil in with other oils like lavender or cedarwood for a sweet dreams bedtime diffuser blend.

8. Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang is a very special essential oil that you will often see listed on the ingredients of high end hair and skin products. I love to add it to our baby lotion or body wash for a baby spa-like experience! It’s also in the Gentle Baby blend that we love so much.

9. Peace & Calming

Peace & Calming is one of Young Living’s most popular blends and comes in the starter kit. It’s a blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. It has a very calming and sweet smell and we use it often during our bedtime routine or even prior to that when the kids are all a little wired. It’s always such a nice reset for the whole house and is a very potent essential oil blend that only requires a couple of drops in the diffuser to fill the whole room with the best vibes!

10. Calm

This is a newer blend from the Young Living Seedlings line which was especially formulated for babies. It includes Lavender essential oil, Coriander essential oil, Bergamot essential oil, Ylang Ylang essential oil, and Geranium essential oil. It has a lot of similarities to Gentle Baby and is pre-diluted with coconut oil for your little ones.

9 essential oils you shouldn’t use on your baby

There are a few essential oils that should be avoided with babies. Generally, they are going to be the strongest smelling oils that can be too much for sensitive little noses. You will also want to be sure you are using a reputable brand because so many essential oils have fillers and synthetics that may or may not be listed on the label. This is by no means an exhaustive list but these are the essential oils that are frequently mentioned in my research as oils to avoid with babies and small children.

  • Basil
  • Sage and Clary Sage
  • Wintergreen
  • Peppermint
  • Eucalyptus
  • Hyssop
  • Idaho Tansy
  • Juniper
  • Basil

How to use essential oils on your baby

Baby massage

Baby massage has many benefits for your little one including soothing, bonding and even easing discomforts like tummy troubles. Try adding a drop of lavender, Gentle Baby, or the Calm blend to a carrier oil like coconut oil and then giving your baby a massage. There are lots of videos on youtube on baby massage and this book is also a great reference.

Bath time

You shouldn’t drop essential oils right into the bath water because babies are likely going to get some water in their eyes! Plus essential oils need a carrier to blend with or they will simply float on the surface of the water. I recommend adding your favorite essential oils to use with baby into the non-toxic bath products you’re already using.

Diffuser

This is our absolute favorite way to use essential oils with our little ones. We have integrated the diffuser into our bedtime routine and will add a couple of drops of our favorite sleepy oils (lavender, white angelica, roman chamomile, cedarwood, and more) into the diffuser and turn it on while we are getting pajamas on and reading books. It creates the most peaceful vibes for both parents and baby!

DIY Baby Products

Baby’s don’t need a lot of products for their skin and I love to keep it really simple. I like to be able to pronounce all of the ingredients in the products that I use on my baby. One of my favorite things to make is a homemade diaper balm for our baby. I simply melt organic olive oil with beeswax in a double boiler and add 2 drops of lavender, 2 drops gentle baby, plus one drop cypress in a 1 oz jar.

Ready to get started using essential oils?

Essentials are a great addition to any home whether you have little ones or not! You will love the aromatic uplifting vibes they bring to your day and the more you dive into using essential oils, the more you will learn about how to integrate them into other areas of your life. I’d love to be the one to help you discover essential oils and if you’re curious about how I got started using oils, this is a great place to start. 

Our Favorite Baby Sleep Products

It’s amazing how many new products have popped up since my last baby was born 6 years ago. With baby #3 and working in the baby industry, I got to try a lot of new products as well as some old favorites. I wanted to round them all up to share with you. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about any of them.

Create a Good Sleep Environment for Baby

When your baby is first born they will need SO much sleep that they can pass out just about anywhere… usually on your chest after a feeding. But as they get older, you’ll want to put some thought into creating a proper sleep environment for them.

Diffuse Essential Oils in Baby’s Room

I got really into essential oils during my pregnancy and especially found so much support from them for my sleep. So of course I was excited to try some of the gentler oils with baby. We only use Young Living essential oils because they are 100% pure therapeutic grade and honestly just work better than any other brands I’ve tried. When baby was still sleeping with us we’d just diffuse one or two drops of lavender, frankincense, or a blend called Gentle Baby right before bed. Now that he’s in his own room we do the same and have since discovered that he seems to sleep really well with White Angelica or Peace & Calming. Most of these oils come in the Young Living Starter Kit if you want more info about getting started.

crane humidifier

Use a Cool Mist Humidifier

Babies only breathe through their noses so if they are congested it’s very difficult for them to get good sleep. We love Crane’s cool mist humidifiers (the cool mist part is really important) because they are super easy to use and clean and are freaking adorable. They come in all different animal themes as well as sleep drop styles. We’ve been partnering with Crane for quite a while and they offer the coupon code BIRTH19 to my audience for $10 off +free shipping.

Make the Room Super Dark

Babies are used to complete darkness in your womb and they like a dark room to sleep in too. I know when they are brand new they can sleep anywhere and anytime but as they get older you’re going to want to create a dark room which is easy to do with some quality blackout curtains.

Use a White Noise Machine

Again, babies are used the loud white noise of being in your belly so they love a good, loud white noise machine. Not all of these are created equal and you definitely don’t want songs or nature sounds. I interviewed a sleep expert on the podcast and they actually said pink noise is best. My favorite ones are from Lectrofan.

Baby loungers

My husband and I have chosen to co-sleep with all three of our kids for the first six months or so. With our first two children we just had them in bed with us and practiced safe co-sleeping guidelines. With our new baby we tried out a couple of baby loungers. There are many brands on the market from large and small companies but the two we had were the DockaTot and the SnuggleMe Organic. We like them both for different reasons. The SnuggleMe really hugs baby and keeps their knees up with baby’s love when they are having tummy troubles. The DockATot has a bottom to it so it was more comfortable for travel with we would put baby down in it on the hard floor. We also ended up using the DockATot longer because it felt like he grew out of the SnuggleMe faster.

compare baby loungers

Swaddles and Sleep Sacks

Ok there are a million different swaddling and sleep sack options on the market so it can be hard to know what to use and they aren’t exactly cheap either. Luckily once you find one your baby loves, you really only need two. Here’s what worked best for us.

types of baby swaddles

Getting Baby to Sleep While Traveling

I discovered a couple of products to make travel more easy this time around and am excited to share them!

  • Slumberpod Blackout tent for playyard – This one is a GAME CHANGER you guys. I think of all of the times we tried to squeeze our older kids pack n plays into a hotel bathroom and wonder why it took so long for someone to invent this!? You can use the code birthhour for $10 off too! It’s on backorder a lot but they will notify you when it’s back in stock!
  • Travel blackout curtain – if you aren’t going to use the Slumberpod, there’s also a great travel blackout curtain that suctions to any window.
  • Portable white noise machine – I love this rechargeable white noise machine for on the go. You can use this next to their bed but also in the car, strollers etc.
  • Doona Carseat that converts to a stroller – This is one of my favorite baby products on the market right now. It is definitely pricey but if you are going to register for one big ticket item then I can’t recommend this enough. Or go for the $80 ikea crib (we love ours) and then spring for the Doona carseat/stroller! Not only does it make short trips in and out of the store WAY easier, it also helps baby stay asleep when you don’t have to fumble with a travel system or take them out of the carseat to put into a stroller.
  • Baby carrier – There are so many options and everyone will have different preferences here. We’ve been using Ergobaby carriers for all three kids and still love them and you can’t go wrong with a snuggly wrap for the newborn days.

Remember, All Babies are Different

It’s good to keep in mind that no two babies are going to have the same sleep habits but having some awesome products on hand will hopefully help! I also highly recommend Taking Cara Babies sleep course for newborns and older babies and the Happiest Baby on the Block.

The Ultimate Guide to Young Living CBD Oil

What is CBD oil?

Ok first, let’s address the biggest question… no, CBD is NOT marijuana. Ok…Then what is it? 

CBD is short for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring substance of the cannabis plant. There are two primary species of cannabis, hemp and marijuana. Both contain CBD, but hemp contains lots of it while marijuana produces more THC. The stalks of hemp is where we’re extracting our CBD from, not from the buds of Willie Nelson’s favorite plant. 

Important to know: CBD does NOT produce the mind-altering effects caused by THC.

The CBD from Nature’s Ultra (part of the Young Living family) is distilled into an isolate and is lab-tested to contain 0.0% THC which is hard to find.

So instead of euphoric trips and feelings of sedation, CBD actually helps promote feelings of calmness and relaxation! This is because CBD has an amazing ability to support us and help us achieve balance. Whether we are feeling off physically or mentally – the root causes can start from some level of ‘imbalance’.

How do you use CBD oil from Young Living?

Nature’s Ultra CBD oil is used topically on the areas that need the most support.

Topically on your skin

In some cases our joints and muscles desire some TLC, our skin is irritated, you name it. In cooperation with things like targeted exercises, healthy diet, meditation, and drinking plenty of water, we can also support some of these areas with CBD oil, Roller blends and CBD Balm.

I love using CBD topically after chasing kids around all day or after a hard workout! Also great for those on the computer a lot or with texting thumbs 😉 ! Using CBD topically in a muscle rub or roller can help support sore muscles and aches. I personally use it regularly on my forearms after I’ve been typing or texting too much and then do some hand exercises.

How do Nature’s Ultra and Young Living Work Together?

Nature’s Ultra is a wholly owned partner of Young Living, and their CBD products are now available through your Young Living account at wholesale prices. You can also become a member of Young Living now with a CBD Starter Kit (click the tab that says “other premium kits”).

CBD Premium Starter Kit from Young Living

You have the choice between two different strengths of CBD when getting the CBD starter kit from Young Living. Regular or Extra-Strength. The regular strength includes:

  • Calm CBD Roll-On, 300 mg
  • Citrus CBD Oil, 500 mg
  • CBD Muscle Rub, 300 mg
  • Getting Started with CBD brochure
  • Access to our exclusive team resources including private FB groups, monthly online classes, e-books, and mentorship! Be sure to use our referral link when signing up!

Extra-Strength CBD Premium Starter Kit

The Young Living Extra-Strength CBD Premium Starter Kit includes:

  • Calm CBD Roll-On, 600 mg
  • Citrus CBD Oil, 1,000 mg
  • CBD Muscle Rub, 600 mg
  • Getting Started with CBD brochure
  • Access to our exclusive team resources including private FB groups, monthly online classes, e-books, and mentorship!

According to Young Living, “One of the factors that motivated the acquisition of Nature’s Ultra is that we recognized they share many of the same values as we do. They even share our Seed to Seal® commitment to quality, which we’ve verified through visits to their farms. Nature’s Ultra and Young Living are a match made in health!”

The Young Living infused Nature’s Ultra CBD products are created with essential oils and you can also enhance your CBD experience by pairing it with Young Living essential oils in your Starter Kit (plus many more). It’s important to note, the safest and most effective form of CBD is an isolate which is what Nature’s Ultra produces. By combining the CBD oil isolate with terpene-infused essential oils, you’re enhancing the potential benefits of your CBD experience with a more targeted approach. Terpenes are responsible for the unique aromas of essential oils. More importantly, smelling them directly contributes to the emotional support we get from using our essential oils. 

Pairing CBD with Young Living essential oils

You can easily pair CBD with essential oils from your starter kit for an enhanced experience.  The essential oils mentioned below have those awesome terpenes we talked about earlier and can enhance your experience for an even greater result. As always, it’s recommended that you consult a professional to create a tailored plan for your needs.

  • Frankincense: applied topically to the face with CBD oil for skin rejuvenation.
  • DiGize Vitality: applied to your abdomen with CBD oil to aid in tummy relief.
  • Lavender: applied topically to your feet at bedtime with CBD for better rest and deep relaxation.

And this is only the start! You can enhance your experience with almost all the oils in the Young Living premium starter kit along with tons of others.\

What CBD products does Young Living offer?

  • CBD Starter Kit (includes YL wholesale membership, CBD lavender Calm roll-on, CBD muscle rub, and CBD oil Citrus)
  • Calm CBD Roll-On: Infused with Young Living lavender, this roller creates a peaceful environment that will help relax and quiet your mind (currently loving this postpartum) and great for bedtime.
  • CBD oil cool mint
  • CBD oil cinnamon
  • CBD oil citrus
  • CBD Muscle Rub

When is the best time to use Nature’s Ultra infused with Young Living CBD products?

On the Go with CBD roll-ons

What we apply to our skin topically is absorbed into our skin. We want to be aware of the things that are bad for our health, and only put products on our skin that we know what’s in them. That’s why I love the CBD roll-ons from Nature’s Ultra because they practice the same Seed to Seal guidelines as Young Living.

When you’re feeling stress

Apply a CBD roll-on infused with Young Living Essential Oils then take some deep breaths or try a guided meditation and you’ll enjoy the benefits of relaxation from essential oils and CBD while improving your daily practices.

Before bedtime

One of my favorite combinations is applying lavender essential oil topically to your feet at bedtime with CBD for deep relaxation. Try a relaxation exercise like tightening each muscle one by one and releasing.

How do you order Nature’s Ultra CBD products through Young Living?

If you aren’t already a member with YOUNG LIVING, let’s start there! To become a member you just need to buy a starter kit and now you can get a CBD starter kit for an amazing value compared to buying the products separately. You can get also get the premium essential oils starter kit which comes with 12 of the most popular essential oils and a diffuser or the basic starter kit which simply gets you your membership and comes with Stress Away oil.

Once you become a member, you will enjoy the wholesale discount of 24% off that all Young Living Members get on products. In addition to ordering the CBD products through Young Living, many of the essential oils compliment CBD usage and are a perfect start to plant-based wellness.

Step #1:

Use our referral link to get your CBD starter kit or essential oil starter kit. You’ll become a member, get wholesale pricing and gain access to our team resources. More about that here!

Step #2:

When logged in to your Young Living account, click One Time Order and find the CBD section! Starting February 1, 2020 you will also be able to order these products through Essential Rewards, Young Living’s monthly autoship program that comes with lots of additional perks!

Step #3

Enjoy shopping for the best CBD ever at a discounted price! 

FAQ: Is CBD oil safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Unfortunately there isn’t much research in this area yet when it comes to CBD. There are studies regarding marijuana and pregnancy/breastfeeding and use of marijuana should definitely be avoided. More info here.

However, several of the main concerns with marijuana use including impaired ability to properly care for your baby and second hand smoke, are not concerns with CBD oil. The main question is how much CBD is transferred to your baby and what effects will it have and that’s where the research is lacking still. You should always consult with your care provider with any questions.

This article is only referring to Young Living and Nature’s Ultra products which have very high standards of quality and 0.0% THC. Please do not apply what you read here to other brands. Again, always talk to your care provider and use your own judgment. 

DISCLAIMER: The information is for informational purposes only and it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.

Sources:

  • https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/lifestyle/marijuana/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938896/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852356/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6100014/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
  • https://echoconnection.org/cbd-absorbed-body/
  • https://www.livescience.com/63452-what-is-cannabis-oil.html
  • https://www.health.com/pain/what-is-cbd
  • https://www.health.com/pain/what-is-cbd

Young Living Starter Kit – How to Sign Up!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that one of my biggest priorities is working towards a toxin free home and for us that has started with swapping out candles, cleaning products, and personal care stuff (deodorant, toothpaste, makeup, shampoo, etc.) for healthier, safer options!

I know it can be overwhelming to think about making these changes but that’s what I love about our community! We are all in this together and once you get in, you’ll have so many resources available to you (e-books, diy recipes, diffuser blend recommendations, tutorials, and more!) all for free!

When you buy a starter kit you are joining our community and we take that vote of confidence seriously! We have private Facebook pages designed to help you learn about your oils while finding new uses and recipes for them. You’ll have thousands of new friends to assist you as they share their personal experiences and knowledge. I’m constantly learning new things too!

I also send you some happy mail and freebies when you sign up!

What’s included in the Young Living Premium Starter Kit?

1. Diffuser

Your starter kit comes with a diffuser and you get to choose which one. I love the desert mist diffuser which can run up to 10 hours and has a candlelight flicker that’s so cozy. The aria diffuser is an upgrade but is so unique, every time someone sees mine they ask about it!

2. 12 Essential Oils

You get the 12 most popular essential oils with your premium starter kit and the value is insane! Lavender, Stress Away, Thieves, Frankincense, Peppermint, Lemon, Valor, Peace & Calming, Digize, Citrus Fresh, Raven, and Panaway. These 12 oils alone will support sleep, focus, digestion, emotions, wellness, muscles, rough days, head tension, relaxation, kids, mama time and the men in your life.

3. Ningxia Samples

NingXia Red supports immune function, liver function, and eye health and is reported to increase energy. I can tell you it’s more than reported to increase mine! I can tell within minutes how different I feel after drinking it! It’s my daily pick-me-up and I’ve cut my afternoon coffee fix since I started drinking NingXia.

4. Thieves Goodies

You’ll get some extra goodies from the Thieves cleaning line including the hand sanitizer which you’ll quickly fall in love with. It smells amazing and doesn’t dry your hands out because it’s made with aloe.

5. Roller Fitments

You’ll get two roller fitment tops so you can turn a couple of your essential oils into roll-ons right away. Favorites for this are usually Valor, Peace + Calming, Stress Away and Thieves.

6. Sample bottles

Premium starter kits come with 10 tiny bottles so you can share your essential oils with a friend or keep a smaller portion in your purse or take when you travel.

7. Product Guide

The Young Living product guide that comes with your premium starter kit is so informative and will help educate you on how to use the essential oils in your kit. It also has details on Young Livings other products like cleaning supplies, personal care products, baby and kids line, and makeup!

8. Essential Oil Magazine

This changes seasonally and is a great place for DIY recipes and inspiration for diving into the world of essential oils!

9. Member Resources

This is my favorite part and why it matters who you sign up with! We have a huge community group dedicated to teaching you and your team about every Young Living oil, supplement, Thieves product, remedy, guideline, success story and life hack! We have classes, books, live facebook hangouts & search functionality that will help you navigate through any questions you might have. I use the search bar in our groups every single day to get questions answered because I’m always learning too and there is SO much knowledge there! It really does matter who you sign up with and the FB groups are a huge perk of joining my team!

How much does the Young Living Starter Kit cost?

The premium starter kit from Young Living is $165 dollars and includes your membership, a diffuser, 12 of the most popular essential oils. The value of all of the products you get with the starter kit is more than $400 so the starter kit is the most cost effective way to get started with Young Living essential oils!

How do I sign up with a young living starter kit?

The Premium Starter Kit is how I recommend everyone get started with Young Living. It’s the most bang for your buck, and how you get the Young Living wholesale membership + access to all of our team resources, groups. etc!! You’ll get a diffuser, 12 of the most popular oils, and some great, useful samples like Ningxia pouches and Thieves goodies! 

I’ll also send you beautiful art print that you’ll want to frame! Then the same day you sign up, I will send your Welcome email, add you to our FB groups, and you’ll have started on this whole wonderful new journey.

young living starter kit

There’s so much to learn and you will love having so many resources at your fingertips, and I’ll be with you every step of the way! Non-toxic cleaning for your home, the best diffuser blends, overall wellness for you and your whole family, etc. We also have team exclusive resources like free ebooks, monthly online classes, mentorship and amazing groups including one specifically for pregnancy, nursing and babies as well as fertility. 

Does it matter who you sign up with?

Definitely! YES. It matters who you sign up with. I get messages everyday from people (who have signed up with someone else) asking to use our team’s resources and if I can help them with their oils. Do your research before you sign up, and pick an enroller and team you WANT to be a part of and that gets you inspired and excited! With our team you get all the resources, all the amazing DIYs, all the support, all the FB groups…all the fun!

I LOVE sharing and educating, and would be honored to do this with you. And one of my favorite things is all of the new friendships started with the women who sign up with me! Come link arms with me and let’s get it going. I’ll be with you every step of the way. And you’ll also be a part of @caseyleighessentials@grapefruitandgold and @goldendropsociety! Best team ever!

What Does it mean to be a Young Living Member?

Becoming a Young Living member does not mean that you have to sell the products, it’s simply how you get access to the Young Living Virtual Office so you can shop with a wholesale discount (24% off). There’s no commitment beyond getting your Premium Starter Kit. It’s like a Costco membership except instead of just getting the card, you’re getting $400 worth of goodies!

You will get a referral link that you can share with friends and every time someone uses your link you’ll earn $50—a great way to pay for your starter kit right away!

How to sign up for your Young Living Starter Kit in 4 steps

1. Click this signup link

Follow these steps: Be sure the member number 15023809 is listed as the enroller and sponsor so you’ll be on our team. Also make sure to check Wholesale Member to earn your 24% off any future orders. (You never ever have to buy or sell anything in the future). Click Continue. 

2. Select the Premium Starter Kit (PSK)

Choose the diffuser you’d like if you’re going the oils route! Desert Mist is my favorite. The candlelight flicker is so good! The Aria is also gorgeous but does cost more. I’ve been talking about the Desert Mist because it’s most people’s favorite but you can check out more options below!

3. Sign up for essential rewards (if you’d like to)

You can get right on Essential Rewards if you want! This is our monthly autoship program where you get points back, freebies every month etc. To do this you must select your PSK, then click the box below, reading, “Use the selected Premium Starter Kit as my first Essential Rewards order and sign me up for an Essential Rewards subscription.”

If you are going this route, you can then set up your order for next month! To be on Essential Rewards you simply need to spend $50/month on anything you’d like. Some of my favorite things to add right away are the Tranquil and Deep relief roller, Gentle Baby and White Angelica essential oils, any of the Seedlings baby products, and Inner Defense and Multigreens capsules. I recommend doing this even if you plan to cancel the next month because this way you will get a FREE promo product and you’ll get 10 points back (equivalent to $10 back) to spend on something else! 

4. Follow the prompts

Then follow the process all the way through to the end….yay! You did it! Once you’ve completed your order, you will receive a confirmation email and I will be in touch within 24 hours to get you all plugged into our free resources and send you your free gift!

Should you sign up for essential rewards?

  • Enroll at any time!
  • Your monthly order has to be 50PV or above, 50PV usually equals around $50
  • Earn points back on every order! Points can be used like dollars when placing a Quick Order!
  • Every month Young Living releases that months exclusive promos, you can qualify for the freebies by placing your Essential Rewards order or Quick Order, there are ER exclusive promos that you don’t want to miss though!
  • You can cancel at anytime, there is no contract or scary commitment!

Transfer buying!

Okay I get it, if you’re like me, you’re thinking “I don’t have an extra $50/month in my budget right now” and I thought the same thing!! But, I was actually already buying products like toothpaste, deodorant, dish soap, supplements, etc. elsewhere and wasn’t receiving money back, free products or any of the amazing benefits of essential oil infused products that I can get on Essential Rewards. You aren’t spending more money, you are transferring your budget from Target and other places and choosing Essential Rewards instead! It also saves a lot of time to not have to research and wonder if you’re buying things that are good for your health or not!

Again Essential Rewards is totally optional and you can start/stop whenever you want but I definitely recommend at least giving it a try so you can earn points back on every purchase, snag free oils and products to try, and kick the toxins and chemicals from your home!

Ready to get started? Click on the link here, or on the Get Started button below.

Essential Oils For Breastfeeding: What Oils to Use and Avoid

If you’ve been using essential oils during pregnancy, you may be wondering which essential oils are safe to use while breastfeeding, or which ones to avoid. Breastfeeding can be a wonderful bonding experience with your baby and many moms love knowing that they are giving their baby such amazing nutrition no matter how long they nurse their babies.

I’ve breastfed all three of my children and each time came with its own challenges which resulted in different lengths of time breastfeeding. Having essential oils in my mama toolbox with my most recent baby has been such a game-changer. It is so great knowing that I have one more way to address any challenges that come up.

3 things to consider before using essential oils while breastfeeding

1. Not every oil works the same for everyone

As with any use for essential oils, different people have different success with the wide array of options. In this post, I’ll share what has worked for me as well as other women. One of the great things about my Young Living team (more info on joining here) is that we have a private Facebook group specifically for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and babies. It’s my go-to place to get tips and questions answered!

2. Other factors affect your breastmilk supply

The main factor that affects your milk supply is how often you are emptying your breasts, either by nursing your baby or pumping. Your supply will work hard to meet the demand that you are putting on it. So the best thing to do if you are worried about your breastmilk supply is to nurse more often or pump after nursing sessions. That being said, there are some things that many women swear by, myself included, for giving a little extra boost to your milk supply.

3. Always consult your care provider

When it comes to pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor, midwife and/or lactation consultant before using any new medications, supplements, or essential oils.

6 essential oils that are safe to use when breastfeeding

1. Fennel Seed

Fennel is the most commonly known galactagogue, which is something that increases milk supply. One of the great things about Young Living oils is that they have essential oils that are safe to ingest. These oils are labeled differently and are referred to as Vitality oils. To increase your milk supply you can take two drops of Fennel Vitality a day for up to 10 days. You can put it in a vegetable capsule and swallow or you can add it to your food or tea. Many people will do two drops in a teaspoon of honey. Please do not ingest any other brands of fennel essential oil. 

You can also apply fennel topically, just one or two drops on your chest mixed with a carrier oil like coconut, olive, or jojoba oil, being sure to avoid the nipple area. If it gets near your nipple, just clean the area before nursing your baby. Fennel should be avoided during pregnancy.

2. Basil

Basil is another essential oil that is thought to be a galactagogue and can be used to increase milk supply. It also comes in the Vitality version from Young Living. You can either ingest it, I’d recommend using it in cooking because it’s delicious (a drop or two to your spaghetti sauce is amazing!) or can be applied to your breasts. You can mix one or two drops with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and rub it onto your breasts, away from the nipple. You can also apply it to your spine around your bra line area. Basil can be used for longer than 10 days if desired. 

3. Dill

Dill is another essential oil that is thought to be a galactagogue and can be combined with basil or fennel. Dill is considered a milder galactagogue so it may be a great option to start with and see how it goes. Young Living has a Dill Vitality option so you can try it in a vegetable capsule or try cooking with it. I especially love a drop of it in a chicken salad mixture! 

4. Lavender

Lavender is probably my most used essential oil because it has so many amazing uses. Many of my favorite uses for lavender are especially great during postpartum and breastfeeding. Most especially, lavender helps promote a good night’s sleep and relaxation. A common cause for the reduction of milk supply is stress because it inhibits the release of the hormones that promote milk production. 


Simply roll some lavender on your wrists at bedtime or whenever you’re feeling anxiety or stress and take some deep breaths. You can also diffuse it at bedtime to help you, and baby, sleep well. If diffusing in a room with a newborn start slow with just one drop. Again, this is why I love Young Living so much—because I trust the sources of their essential oils and know that there aren’t any harmful fillers in there. Read more about their Seed to Seal process here.

5. Peace and Calming

Peace and Calming is a really special essential oil blend that will aid in stress relief as well. It’s super potent, so just a couple of drops in your diffuser will feel your living room with the best calm vibes ever. Even just opening the bottle helps me feel more at peace—clearly they named this one well! It also now comes in the starter kit from Young Living which is so awesome!

6. Stress Away

Stress away is another blend that smells so good and helps with emotional support and stress relief. I kept a roller of this on me at all times during pregnancy and continue to do so while breastfeeding. Stress Away smells like vanilla and citrus combined and is so uplifting (also great as a perfume!). Again, anything that can help you relax, especially when pumping milk, is going to be good for boosting your milk supply.

4 essential oils that are not safe for breastfeeding moms

1. Peppermint

Just like there are some essential oils and herbs that help increase milk supply, there are also essential oils that can decrease your milk supply. These are great to use when you are wanting to wean your baby but should be avoided until then. Peppermint was one of my favorite oils to use during pregnancy, but I stopped using it after my baby arrived. Some women even avoid it during the 3rd trimester because they are worried about its effect on their milk supply. I used it right up until my baby’s birth and had an abundant milk supply, so use your judgment and consult with your care provider.

2. Oregano

Oregano is another oil that is warned against using while breastfeeding for its milk decreasing properties. Obviously, eating the oregano herb is fine because it is much less concentrated than the essential oil. On that note, the website KellyMom mentioned that generally topical applications are going to affect your milk as much as taking something internally so if you use Oregano EO in a roller blend and are applying it topically to the bottoms of your feet, for example, it’s most likely not going to have any effect on breastfeeding.

3. Clary Sage

According to the book Gentle Babies, Clary Sage can be ingested and applied to your breasts to decrease milk supply. In contradiction, I’ve seen Clary Sage listed on certain websites as an essential oil to increase milk supply. However, Debra Raybern’s book Gentle Babies is widely respected in the essential oil community so I personally will be avoiding Clary Sage while breastfeeding. I’ve seen the power of Clary Sage first hand when it jump-started my labor!

4. Wintergreen

It is generally considered okay to use wintergreen as part of a blend like my favorite, Deep Relief, because it is diluted and used topically. The Deep Relief roller is seriously life-saving when it comes to sore neck muscles from breastfeeding. It’s probably a good idea to use Wintergreen in moderation though, even in a blend.

Safety tips for oils around Baby

Be aware of when and where you are using your essential oils around your baby. If using any hot oils like Cinnamon, Clove, Lemongrass, Oregano, Thyme, and Peppermint be sure to apply them to areas that won’t be touching baby (your feet are a good option) and don’t diffuse them in a small, enclosed space where baby will be. This is another good resource regarding using essential oils with a baby. 

Essential oil recipes for nursing Moms

Create a more milk blend for nursing Moms

  • 4 drops fennel + 2 drops Geranium in a 10ml roller ball + carrier oil. I prefer jojoba oil as sometimes other carrier oils will make my chest break out. You can see all of my favorite essential oil DIY products here.  
  • 2 ounces of Ningxia Red each day

Another tip that I learned from our team Facebook group is to drink 2oz of Ningxia Red every day. Ningxia Red is an antioxidant drink made from goji berries. So many women told me about the combination of taking or applying fennel essential oil and drinking Ningxia Red boosting their supply in a big way that I tried it when I had a dip in my milk supply due to a virus I had and sure enough, I experienced so much support for my milk production from those two things together.

Recipe for Breast Comfort while Breastfeeding

  • Create a blend of two drops Melrose, 2 drops Lavender, and 2 drops carrier oil. Rub this blend on your breasts, avoiding the nipples, twice a day. I got this recipe from Betsy Bosom’s Baby Book
  • Other good things to try when dealing with engorged breasts are heat, massage, and frequent nursing.

Get started with essential oils

The way I got started with essential oils, was with a premium starter kit from Young Living, which comes with 12 of the most commonly used oils + your diffuser (I recommend the Desert Mist which has an amazing candlelight flicker).

It’s such a great value & provides you with everything you need to get started. You’ll get over $400 worth of product for only $165. You’ll get lots of reading material with your kit and you’ll also get access to our exclusive facebook community full of amazing resources like how to use each oil in your kit, which oils to avoid around kids or while pregnant/nursing, and all of the dilution ratios for individual oils.

We have free online classes, ebooks, live facebook hangouts & search functionality that will help you navigate through any questions you might have. I use the search bar in our groups every single day to get questions answered because I’m always learning too and there is SO much knowledge there! It really does matter who you sign up with and the FB groups are a huge perk of joining me! I also send all of my new members this beautiful hand painted art print that you’ll want to frame in your home!

young living starter kit

Conclusion

So many women stress over their milk supply while breastfeeding and it can be hard to know if you have a low supply or not because each baby empties the breast at a different speed and not all women are able to pump as much as their baby can get when nursing. The amount of milk that you get during a pumping session is not necessarily a good indicator of your supply. The best way to know how much milk baby is getting is to consult with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and do a weighted feeding where they will weigh your baby before an after a nursing session with a highly sensitive scale. You can find an IBCLC at ilca.org. I know how hard this can be, I’ve been there too and I’m cheering you on. 

I’ve found so much support from my oils community in all things pregnancy and postpartum and would love to answer any questions you have about getting started. You can always reach out to me through the contact form on this site or on my oils Instagram account, @overlandhomestead

The content shared on this site, is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment. It’s always best to check with a qualified health provider for questions you might have. Moreover, this information has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.