Re: Aromatherapy to increase breast milk

[Rhonda]

Hi Zoe,   I used a product made for me with geranium, aniseed (I think - it smelled like that!) and something else it started with 'C' and was a flower but I can't remember which one - i wish I could be more help.. I used it when my milk dried up from expressing for 9 weeks while my prem baby was in hospital.  I Never really got much milk and believe that my body did not really tune in to having a baby...  I had Severe PE, No labour - an emergency C/S at 27 weeks and then did not hold my own (or any) baby for 2 weeks as she was in NICU.  By 4 weeks I had held her 3 times --- I got my period 4 weeks after delivery and things sort of went back to normal (as if I had not been pregnant).  I really felt that my body was on a different wave length to myself (if that makes sence?!)  I was trying to be a New Mum and care for my baby in any little way that I could but my body was physiologically saying - No Baby - It's gone - Start again!  A very confusing time.  I don't think a lot of study has been done about this - I think that when a baby is born so prematurely it is physicaly like having a late miscarriage and one goes through a physical and emotional grieving stage at the same time as having to express milk and be worried about babies survival and happy that baby is still alive - it is no wonder breast milk is low.  Perhaps some sort of identifying with the fact that those feelings of grief and loss are normal and looking at why milk production is low on an emotional level (I am sure that would have helped me at the time as I was very confused)  That is just from my personal experience.   It was an effort to get milk - I never even got firm breasts at any stage so my milk never really "came in" so to speak. Nothing like with my full term baby.   I tried everything - peanuts, water, having someone press on my shoulder about four fingers from the neck - a spot which helps to give a let down.  Aromatherapy, Maxalon - just about everything!!!!   Things that helped to increase milk  were;   to watch a video of baby while expressing (this usually made me cry) but did seem to help milk production. Waking by alarm and expressing at about 3 am - a very cold lonely experience (with video) but it also helped. Essential oils - "Back to Basics" a shop in Geelong had a book which they looked in and made the mixture for me - it was rubbed onto the breast and smelled strongly of aniseed.  The spot on the shoulder being pressed while I expressed. Having hubby assist expressing - gentle rubbing on the breast by another person - must help to stimulate production - simulates what the baby naturally does - I presume that helped.     Hope all goes well with Mum and baby.   Regards Rhonda.   NB:  Can i just add that personally having had a prem baby "microprem" sounds very technical and cold.  It is a small premature baby - not an object.  Sorry, but I just couldn't imagine Katelyn at1010 grams or even her "neighbour" in NICU.. Emma who was 560grams being called micro anything... they were beautiful ' little ' babies!  :-)     ----- Original Message ----- From: MonroFamily To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2001 10:09 PM Subject: Aromatherapy to increase breast milk Hi all, I remember a few months ago a discussion about an essential oil to increase supply of breast milk. After going through the emails I have I've found I must have deleted it and of course now I want it. So whoever wrote about it can you remind me what oil it was, and would it help with a Mum who has a microprem still in NICU? Thanks, Zoe Monro -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe.