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After Baby

DIY Vegan Healing Balm (for everything you can think of)

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VEGAN SALVE RECIPE

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Healing Balm is called that for a reason. It also has a crazy amount of uses:

  • diaper rash
  • acne
  • extremely dry skin
  • different kinds of rashes
  • minor scrapes/cuts
  • dry paws on the dog
  • eczema
  • deep hair conditioner
  • make-up remover
  • reducing stretch marks during pregnancy

This DIY healing balm contains ingredients that can all be made organic and is safe for babies and pets. If you are vegan, omit the beeswax and use soy at the same ratio or candelilla at half the amount (ex. if it calls for 1/2oz use a 1/4 oz.) Leah over at fabulousfarmgirl.com has an awesome post on beeswax and alternatives! 

COCONUT OIL

  • extremely moisturizing to the skin
  • anti-inflammatory components which can help treat acne
  • anti bacterial
  • anti microbial

Coconut oil has many uses in our house! It’s an ingredient in my homemade lip balms, deodorants and creams. It shows up in our stir fry’s at dinner and sometimes I’ll blend it into my coffee for a vegan bulletproof coffee in the morning. And on a more risque note, it makes a great tasting and safe lube?

SHEA BUTTER

  • moisturizing
  • anti inflammatory
  • anti aging
  • restores skins elasticity
  • reduce stretch marks
  • reduces breakage and split ends in hair
  • prevents hair loss
  • natural conditioner
  • wound healing

Shea butter is a fat taken from the nut of the African shea tree. It can be refined or unrefined. I recommend finding organic and unrefined as it is able to keep its vitamins and minerals during the extraction process! Shea butter is also something I use in almost all of my creams, lip balms and deodorants.

BEESWAX

  • anti bacterial
  • locks in moisture
  • pain reliever
  • anti inflammatory
  • relieves fungal infections
  • reduces stretch marks because of vitamin A
  • stress reliever

Beeswax has so many amazing benefits. I definitely recommend using it in your cream but if you’re vegan and would rather not, I would go for the candelilla wax because it has some of the same benefits just not nearly as many. Please source it locally if possible!

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

  • promotes wound healing
  • relieves stress and anxiety 
  • treats respiratory disorders
  • induces sleep 
  • anti bacterial
  • treats acne
  • relieves pain
  • improves blood circulation

Lavender has been used for hundreds of years for so many things. At our house, we use it in creams and balms. I’ve made a ‘sleep stick’ which has a harder consistency than lip balm and is used for rubbing on pulse points to help you sleep or relax. Sometimes I dab undiluted lavender essential oil on a blemish to help clear it up faster.

It also works wonders in bath bombs, as an ingredient for an herbal sitz bath or mixing with epsom salts. I have made a linen spray made with strained tea from the flowers as well as the oil.

TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL

  • natural sanitizer, even effective of killing the e. coli virus
  • insect repellent
  • natural deodorant (I use this in my homemade deodorant which I will link here when the post is finished)
  • antiseptic
  • treats acne
  • promotes wound healing
  • soothes skin inflammation 

Tea tree is amazing and can do so many good things, however, it has been known to be poisonous upon ingestion for humans and pets so store away from curious beings. It also can be harmful in large doses to pets through their skin. I personally choose to add this to my recipe because it is such a small amount distributed throughout that it’s severely diluted and I have never had a problem with my children or animals! If using this makes you uncomfortable in any way, please omit from the Magic Cream as it is not necessary.

ARROWROOT STARCH

  • baby powder 
  • a safe, gluten free thickening agent for lotions and cosmetics
  • moisture absorbing
  • promotes wound healing

Arrowroot is used in cooking and cosmetics in our house. We use it as a gluten free thickener in cooking and vegan puddings. I’ve made homemade foundation, blush and baby powder. Arrowroot is also an ingredient in my diy deodorant. It’s really become a staple in our home!

Yield: 3 small containers

Vegan Healing Balm (for everything!)

Vegan Healing Balm (for everything!)

DIY vegan healing balm is used for anything you can think of! Diaper rash, dry skin, eczema, cuts and scrapes, conditioner, dry pet paws, etc,

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 C coconut oil
  • 1/4 C shea butter
  • 1/4 oz candelilla (about 3 scant teaspoons)
  • 2 tbsp arrowroot starch
  • 5 drops lavender essential oil
  • 3-5 drops tea tree oil

Instructions

  1. Melt coconut oil, shea butter and candelilla in a double boiler (I use an old jar that was heading for recycling anyway) or in the microwave until the wax is completely melted.
  2. Take off the heat and stir in lavender and tea tree essential oil.
  3. Whisk in arrowroot starch until no lumps remain.
  4. Pour into sterilized container of your choice.
  5. Place in the fridge to firm it up completely.
  6. Use as necessary.

Notes

This healing balm is cloth diaper safe.

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Do You Need A Breast Pump While Breastfeeding?

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A big question new moms ask while still pregnant is-

Will I need a breast pump if I’m planning on breastfeeding?

And the answer is-

Maybe.

This guide will go over the different types available and why you may need one.

WHY WOULD YOU NEED A BREAST PUMP?

There are a few major ‘yes’s’ as to why you may actually need a breast pump!

WHY YOU WON’T NEED A BREAST PUMP

  • If you are planning on exclusively breastfeeding and won’t be leaving your baby occasionally for more than a few hours.
  • If breastfeeding is going well.
  • You may need to remove breastmilk but such a small amount that a pump is not necessary.

Something I wish I had known before having my first baby is that 6 months is not a long time, AT ALL. And by 6 months, your baby will most likely be starting on solids and your milk production will be regulated. So depending on your situation (how long your maternity leave is, if you’re a SAHM, or going back to work), by 6 months you’ll be able to go out even longer than a few hours no problem.

What I’m saying is-

Don’t make the mistake of buying an expensive electric pump if you are planning on going out for dinner, a movie or leaving your baby for an hour or two in the beginning. It’s not necessary!

RELATED: HOW TO BREASTFEED (TIPS FOR 1ST TIME MOMS)

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BREAST PUMPS

HAND PUMP:

Hand pumps are exactly what they sound like- A pump that is worked by hand to express milk. Reasons for needing a hand breast pump are:

  • If you are planning to be away from your baby more than a few hours, a few times a week. It’s nice to have an easy way to pump some milk for the caregiver while you are gone, even it it’s just for peace of mind.
  • If you are going on a trip and don’t want to pack a heavy pump that takes up a lot of space.
  • If you are needing to pump but won’t have easy access of an outlet.
  • If you are wanting increase supply but don’t need the high cost electric pump to do so.

Hands down- the BEST hand pump is this one! It’s an insanely good price and has over 7000 positive ratings on Amazon. Moms LOVE this pump!

ELECTRIC PUMP

An electric pump uses a motor to mimic the way a baby would breastfeed to express milk into an attached bottle. Reasons for needing an electric pump are:

  • If you are returning to full-time (or part-time if it’s before 6 months) work where you will be away from your baby for long stretches.
  • If your baby is premature and not able to nurse properly, you may want to invest in a higher end pump to make sure you can keep your supply up so you can eventually start breastfeeding. Some hospitals have the option of renting a pump which can be easier on your budget. 
  • If your baby is not able to nurse properly.
  • If you are having troubles with milk supply and would like to try to increase it.

HAND EXPRESSION

There are a few instances where you can use hand expression before buying a hand or electric pump. These would be:

  • To relieve engorgement at the beginning (be careful not to use this too often though, as expressing too much milk can actually increase your supply.)
  • To increase supply (gentle hand expression after a feed can stimulate more milk production.)
  • In an emergency, it’s always free and always available.
  • It can help treat plugged ducts or mastitis.

RELATED: HOW TO HAND EXPRESS AND STORE BREAST MILK

A lot of moms are told that it’s imperative that you have a breast pump while breastfeeding so you can take time away from your baby or give dad a chance to bond. You can absolutely take time away from your baby without needing to pump, even in the beginning and definitely by the time your baby is trying solids. Dad can absolutely bond with baby without feeding them from a bottle!