A post written by one of my lovely Mamma friends.

Mastitis is the worst, right? My daughter is almost 17 months and we’re still breastfeeding. I enjoy it, she enjoys it, but we are finally in the process of weaning due to some upcoming travel and my tendency to get breast infections. We had a bear of a time breastfeeding at the beginning, so it’s a miracle and a blessing we’ve been able to last this long.

I wholeheartedly believe in modern medicine, but I’m also a big believer in natural remedies as a first line of defense. Since I get breast infections at the drop of a hat, I thought I’d share my (almost) fail-safe tips to stave off mastitis. I’ve had breast infections upwards of a dozen times, but I’ve only had full-blown mastitis requiring antibiotics once, and I have these natural remedies to thank for staving off more serious infections.

4 Steps to Stave Off Mastitis:

1.) Stop eating sugar immediately and continue avoiding sugar until your symptoms subside. This includes avoiding alcohol.

2.) Place thin slices of potato on the affected area. The easiest way to do this is to place the thin disks of potato (Russet works best) on a folded paper towel, place them potato-side down inside your bra, and then have the paper towel between the potatoes and your bra. Change these every few hours as they dry out (and get gross).

3.) Rub lavender oil (in a carrier oil) on the affected area. Mix a few drops of lavender oil in a carrier oil such a coconut or olive oil, and rub it on the affected area. I use the Doterra lavender oil, and I’ve also used other brands, but I prefer the Doterra. Try to do this while you’re taking a quick break from the potatoes because I’ve found that the potato and the lavender oil don’t feel great together.

4.) Apply Heat! I use a heated rice bag. This one is available through Amazon Prime. Rice microwaved in a sock does the trick just as well. (I'd also recommend the Boobease Therapy Pillows) 
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Sometimes you’ll be able to beat it, other times you won’t, but if you start using these tricks as soon as you feel an infection coming on, you’ll have a good chance. If you have any other tips or tricks to help with breast infections, please share!

Last week, Ryan, Kennedy and I were so lucky to have the opportunity to be photographed by Lee Pettigrew Photography in our final weeks as a family of three. Despite Kennedy not wanting to let go of her grapes cup, be picked up (the least characteristic trait of hers) and the typical toddler troubles, Lee was able to capture some beautiful moments. Lee is a mother herself so she understands all of the crazy that goes along with getting a toddler to cooperate, phew! I definitely recommend checking her out if you're looking for photos! Her website is: http://www.leepettigrew.com/

Here are some of my favorites:

I am going to preface this by saying; I am going to do an official “potty training boot camp” in the next few weeks. Kennedy and I have been talking about the potty A LOT and we have the Baby Bjorn Potty in the first floor bathroom and the Baby Bjorn Potty seat in the second floor bathroom. She’s been telling me for the last few weeks when she poops or pees so I feel like she’s pretty ready. Well, last night was my first taste of what this whole magical journey will entail.  
 
My husband was at soccer so it was just Kennedy and I. It was the evening and I was tired but she told me she had to poop. I asked her if she wants to go on the potty and she doesn’t scream “NO” which I took as a good sign. I took off her diaper and tried to put her on her Baby Bjorn potty. She refused so, I then tried to put her on the big potty. Again, she refused (by this time poop is literally coming out of her butt). So, I kept her diaper off and kept her in the bathroom with the door open. She sat on the Baby Bjorn potty but every time she sat down she got poop on it which she then told me “Uh Oh” so I had to clean it up. This goes on forever and nothing materialized. I thought, okay maybe she’s done. Finally, she gets off the potty and closes the door on me and the dog in the bathroom (I can’t even remember why the dog is in the bathroom). I tried to get out but she has pretty much barricaded the door (luckily there's a window in the bathroom if I needed an escape). A couple of minutes later through the door I heard an “Uh Oh” and she let me out of the bathroom to discover a pile of poop on the rug. To make it even grosser, the dog tried to eat it.
 
If the thought of a diaperless child didn’t get me giddy, I might be putting this off for a long time :)