Postpartum Sitz Bath
Link

In a mason jar, I combined:

¼ cup Comfrey Leaf
½ cup Lavender Flowers (mmm, my favourite scent!)
¼ cup Plantain Leaf
½ cup Red Raspberry Leaf (this makes great tea as well)
¼ cup Yarrow Flower
¼ cup Calendula Flowers
¼ cup Shepherd’s Purse
¼ cup Ova Ursi Leaf
¼ cup Epsom Salts or Sea Salt

After all ingredients were added I sealed the mason jar and put it in my handy, ‘After Childbirth Healing’ bin in my bathroom. I made sure to put some Muslin Bags in the bin as well so that I could skip straining the herbs from the bathtub and instead just soak with them. 

​According to Wellness Mama, this mixture can also be used in a peri-bottle to reduce any stinging that may occur during urination after childbirth (if you have any tearing or episiotomy, but also just to help with healing) and diluted for use around your baby’s umbilical cord as it dries.

With how simple the Sitz Bath recipe was, we then decided to try our hands making some Baby Oil as well.

Baby Oil
Link: This link lists several natural baby care items you can make! I will eventually be trying my hands at almost all (if not all) of them. Today, I will only be making the baby oil.

Warning: As always, before the first application of ANY kind of oil on your baby’s skin, put a drop on their arm to make sure your baby is not allergic to the oil. If you choose to use an oil other than one listed below, please research to make sure that the oil you have chosen is safe for your baby’s skin. Again, please check with your primary care provider if you have any questions or concerns about what may or may not be unsafe for your baby.

Ingredients:

1 cup Olive Oil or Apricot Oil
2 tablespoons Calendula Flowers
2 tablespoons Chamomile Flowers

For this recipe I decided to use Sweet Almond Oil instead of Olive or Apricot Oil. Sweet Almond Oil is highly nourishing and contains high level of Vitamins A, B2, B6 and Vitamin E. Mostly because I already had it in my pantry.

There are two methods of creating the oil that are recommended by Wellness Mama. One is a fast infusion, which involves heating the oil with the Calendula and Chamomile Flowers mixed in.

I am only 17 weeks pregnant and I have some time to kill before my baby gets here, so I opted to try the slow infusion method. This involves putting the oil and flowers in a mason jar and sealing it, shaking daily, for 6-8 weeks prior to use.

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I plan to create quite a few DIY postpartum and baby products. This is going to be a great money saving endeavor, and I find it very comforting knowing exactly what ingredients are in the things I will be putting on my body and on my baby.

Over the next few months I will be sharing more DIY recipes that you may want to try for yourself and your baby. You can follow along with my posts to see the recipes as I create them, or feel free to visit the Wellness Mama website and do it on your own!

These recipes were taken from https://www.wellnessmama.com,
​check out her website for more great DIY recipes! 

Plants. They are wonderful allies, packed full of minerals and vitamins. They hang out in the world, growing and doing their thing, regardless of our awareness of them. They're willing to work with our bodies, they're user-friendly and are completely worth our time, attention and appreciation.

Although a cup of herbal tea can be comforting and delicious in its own right, or can act as a new routine for where caffeine once ruled, it doesn't extract the same degree of nutrients that an infusion does. This is not my grandmother's cup of tea either. She barely wanted the leaves to graze the water before pulling them out, and even then, it would be too strong. Infusions are dark, earthy and medicinal. Infusions are simple to make, however they require more time.

The general infusion guidelines for brewing plant parts are as follows:​

• Add 1 oz of dried leaves per 1 quart/4 cup mason jar. If you do not have a scale on hand, 1 oz is roughly 3/4 cup of finer dried plant material, or 1 cup of bulky dried material. Fresh plant material may also be used, however if weighing your ingredients, you'll need to add more in. (Why use a mason jar? Mason jars are affordable, accessible, portable, made of glass, they retain heat for quite some time and come with a sealable lid! You may use any type of large vessel however, such as a teapot.)
• Pour freshly boiled (purified) water over the plant material and fill until your jar is full. Cover with a lid to prevent any volatile elements from escaping with the steam. (Please note, although mason jars are heat-safe, they do break on occasion. To avoid a messy cleanup and burn potential, I recommend placing your jar in the kitchen sink prior to filling with boiled water.)
• Infuse flowers up to 2 hours, leaves for 4 hours, and roots/inner bark for 8 hours, all at room temperature. You may use separate jars for each plant, or simply infuse all leaves in one jar, all roots in another and all flowers in a third. This method will promote a thorough extraction of nutrients from each plant part. For simplicity's sake however, you may wish to start by only infusing one type of plant material. The most important factor is that you get the minerals and vitamins into your body! If this means you're not infusing for the entire recommended time, you'll still receive many benefits.

This list will provide a small glimpse into what each plant has to offer:

• Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica): an anti-inflammatory, high in chlorophyll, great for treating low iron and anemia, osteoporosis and varicosities. Minerals: boron, calcium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and silica. Vitamins: A, B complex, C, D, and K. Electrolytes: potassium.
• Red Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus): a well known uterine toner, has been shown to shorten labour and regulate blood flow. Minerals: calcium, copper (required in red blood cell production), iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc. Vitamins: A, B complex, C, E and K.
• Oat Straw (Avena sativa): treats nervous exhaustion, excessive nervous energy and anxiety, osteoporosis. Minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, high in manganese, phosphorus, silica, and zinc. Vitamins: A, B complex, C, E, K. Electrolytes: potassium.
• Alfalfa leaf (Medicago sativa): an anti-inflammatory, used to treat vaginal atrophy, osteoporosis, iron deficiency anemia. Minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. Vitamins: A, B complex, C, E, and high in K. Electrolytes: potassium.
• Lemon Balm leaf (Melissa Officinalis): is an antiviral (used to treat mono, herpes, cold sores, genital worts, shingles), it calms the nervous system, treats postpartum depression, and insomnia.
• Rosehips (Rosa canina): an anti-inflammatory and blood purifier that aids in excessive menstruation, cramps, also a diuretic that helps with fluid retention, urinary tract infections. Minerals: calcium, iron, phosphorus. Vitamin: A, high in C, E, K and P (flavonoids).
• Ginger root (Zingiber officinale): an anti-inflammatory, used to treat nausea, vomiting, headaches, antispasmodic used to treat fibroids, pelvic pain. Minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. Vitamins: B complex, and C. Electrolytes: potassium.
• Peppermint leaf (Mentha piperita): used to treat headaches and migraines, and is a known digestive aid, treating nausea, and flatulence. Minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc. Vitamins: A, B complex, and C. Electrolytes: potassium and sodium.
• Rooibos leaf (Aspalathus linearis): an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, used in treating high blood pressure, helps balance blood sugar, improves circulation and aids in digestion. Minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc. Vitamins: P (flavonoids). Electrolytes: potassium, sodium.
• Catnip leaf (Nepeta cataria): crazy-making for cats, yet gently sedating for humans. Antispasmodic, good for digestion, colic, and insomnia.
• Lavender flowers (Lavandula angustifolia/officinalis): another nervine, used to treat headaches, cramps, depression, and insomnia.
• Chamomile flowers (Matricaria chamomilla/Anthemis nobilis): used to treat digestion, inflammation, stress, anxiety, tension, colic, great for teething, and insomnia. Due to its high volatility, it need only infuse 15-30 minutes.

There are times though, when your garden is laying dormant under feet of snow, or perhaps the plant doesn't grow in your zone. You may have run out of an ingredient, or this realm could be entirely new to you, and hey, you need to start somewhere before your green thumb blossoms!

If you're in Alberta, I recommend visiting Kolya Naturals Apothecary located within Optimum Health Vitamins. The Earth's General Store may stock some of the ingredients, however they also carry food dehydrators, composting worms and an assortment of DIY books, depending on how in-depth you'd like to venture along this path. Edmonton's Seedy Sunday is also fast approaching March 20th, and is a great location to gather most the seeds you'll need to start your own apothecary, or pick a seasoned gardener's brain on the "how to's".

If you're in BC, I suggest contacting Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary for raw ingredients. If you'd like to develop a deeper understanding and relationship with plants, please contact The Living Medicine Project.

Lastly if you're in the USA, Mountain Rose Herbs carries a large variety of bulk organic herbs, and Banyan Botanicals is an Ayurvedic apothecary, for even more angles of exploration.

Happy infusing!

​As women, we cannot underestimate the importance of Yoni care.      Yoni is the Sanskrit word for the vagina that is loosely translated as "sacred space" or "Sacred Temple."
In Tantra, the Yoni is seen from a perspective of love and respect. This is the centre of our femininity and wisdom.  She gives us pleasure, holds space for the creation of life, guides us, loves us and when it is time, she completely surrenders, opens fully and allows your baby to gently ease their way into this world.  What a miraculous organ. 

After birth, our Yoni's are swollen, tender and sore. Spend time each day sending your sacred space thoughts of love and gratitude. Consume foods aimed at healing and strengthening such as sweet potatoes, cranberries, dark leafy greens, avocados, flaxseed and Soy. I know soy gets a bad name, but it’s actually full of phytoestrogens (a synthetic form of estrogens) that keep our vaginas well-lubricated. And we all like our vaginas well-lubricated. Aim for organic, unprocessed soy, like edamame.  

  Yoni massages are great for promoting healing and will help to release any energy blocks that may have occurred during labor and birth. I recommend using coconut oil. Coconut oil has many healing properties and makes an excellent personal lubricant.  Generously apply the oil to the outside of your yoni and gently massage.
New mom's please remember not to insert anything into your yoni until you have been cleared to do so by your caregiver.  Herbs, tinctures, salves and sitz baths are great for easing discomfort and assisting in the healing process. 

​Here is a recipe for an amazing sitz bath. I discovered this after I gave birth to my second baby. 

* 1/2 cup Epsom salt
* 2 tablespoons baking soda
* 2 tablespoons witch hazel
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 8 drops lavender essential oil
* 8 drops chamomile essential oil
* Place all ingredients into a cotton muslin bag. 

A sitz bath is a small tub that fits over your toilet and allows you to sit in warm water up to your hips. You can buy a sitz bath at your local medical supply store or online. Fill the sitz bath three-fourths of the way with warm water. Add the ingredients listed below and soak for 20 minutes. If you choose to use your bathtub instead of a sitz bath, you can double or triple the recipe. Herbal baths can help you relax, speed up healing, help repair damaged tissue. All of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery and health food store. 


Epsom Salt
This natural detoxifier will provided the needed minerals to help the body heal quickly. It can also 

Lavender
This relaxing floral scent and was an important ingredient in ancient Roman Baths. It is not only promotes restfulness, but is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and an antioxidant. 

Witch Hazel
An ancient herb used for hemorrhoid relief and treatment is known for its anti-inflmmatory and astringent properties.

Chamomile
This herb has an relaxing scent an is helpful to soothe anxiety, and inflammation. It is also a natural antibiotic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. 

Certain foods have been touted as galactagogues, whereby consuming them may increase your milk supply. Go nature! Do you even need a galactagogue's assistance though? More commonly than not, your baby is in fact getting everything she needs, because that's how this intrinsic process is designed. For hundreds of thousands of years homo sapiens have been breastfeeding without supplements, medications, galactagogues, or nursing gadgets. So please... I urge you to trust your body's capability and regard this recipe as tasty, supportive food, rather than one more intervention or bandaid solution. If you do feel your milk supply is in fact low, I recommend consulting with a well-versed, breastfeeding-friendly, lactation professional.

Please note: this recipe is flexible and forgiving. You may substitute ingredients as you see fit, or simply use the following as a template for your own creative baking venture. Also, I will always do my best to pass on more than meets the eye, so I've included additional links within this recipe.

• 1 + 1/2 cups flour (I use a 50:50 ratio of almond meal + spelt flour)
• 1 + 3/4 cups gluten free oats
• 1 cup milled flax seed
• 1 cup organic raisins
• 1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds)
• 1 cup coconut sugar (No sweetener is "healthy", however this may be a lesser of the evils. You could also try substituting sugar with minced dates or a mashed banana instead.)
• 3/4 - 1 cup almond butter
• 1/3 cup water (or coconut water/milk, almond milk)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup fair trade dark chocolate chips (there's nothing sweet about the cacao industry if it's not fair trade.)
• 2-3 eggs, animal welfare or certified humane (organic, free range and cage-free practices still permit forced molting and debeaking of laying hens.)
• 3 tbsp brewer's yeast (often found at health food stores)
• 3 tbsp hemp hearts
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon powder (Cinnamomum verum is easier on the liver if you use it regularly.)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp sea salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. I find it's easiest to do so by hand, to ensure all dry goods are properly coated. (I don't bother mixing wet and dry ingredients separately prior to combining, however you may do so if you wish.) Roll a heaped tablespoon of the mixture between your palms. Gently press onto a greased cookie sheet or parchment paper, then bake for 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to sit roughly 5 minutes, prior to transferring them onto a cooling rack. This recipe yields approximately 2 +1/2 dozen cookies. These can be made ahead of time and frozen. Enjoy!

You’re 37 weeks along in your pregnancy. Perhaps the birthing pool has been inflated and filled to ensure no leaks exist, yet it’s since turned into a glorified family bathtub; even your pets are intrigued. Your “just in case” hospital bag is packed, minus your iPod, which is currently downloading a new set of tunes. When you asked your neighbour to upload her favourite labour tracks, you just couldn’t see yourself singing “I came in like a wrecking ball”, while feeling good about the situation. The freezer is loaded with enough home cooked meals to host a block party, and overall you’re on top of the only details you actually have control over.

Since you’re about to embark up a steeply inclined mountain, why not further prepare your body by remaining incredibly hydrated leading up to, as well as during labour? Doing so will ward off muscle spasms, help regulate body temperature and keep your heart pumping blood effortlessly while flushing out waste. By maintaining adequate fluid levels, you’re directly impacting the amount of amniotic fluid your baby requires for her overall wellbeing, which is especially important if your amniotic sac has ruptured.

The majority of store-bought energy drinks contain carcinogenic food colouring which carries no nutritional value whatsoever, artificial sugars and flavouring, none of which are allies during the birth of your baby. There are many renditions of homemade electrolyte replenishers, however this recipe should get you off to a taste-testing start.

Incorporate one of the three options, to keep your muscles contracting and relaxing as they should. Use two tablespoons of liquid calcium magnesium, or you may add two crushed calcium magnesium tablets.