Today's post is taking a vacation from our series on the everyday oils. We do have more of the everyday oils to discuss and I'm excited to continue that series, however, today I want to share with you something personal that our family has been going through. If you've followed our posts and/or spent any time with us in the past 2 years, you know that we've been on a unique journey. We've been learning what it means to have a premature baby and how to work with Doctors, Therapists, Specialists, Teachers and Social Workers to see that he reaches HIS full potential. It's been an incredible journey, full of triumph and setback. We have learned so much and come so far by trusting our professional team as well as our own intuition.
I mentioned triumph and setback. Since our son's birth, there has been a timeline in place for reaching developmental milestones and goals- much like there is for a full term child only with adjustments allowing for his prematurity and all that comes along with that. He's taken a bit longer to develop fine and gross motor skills, verbal and non-verbal communication and healthy normal function of his brain and body systems. This uphill battle is further complicated by sensory issues and aversions, which are common in premature babies. Our triumphs have been in gross and fine motor skills, non-verbal communication and cognition- He's smart as a whip! Our setbacks have been in tackling his aversions. Oral aversions are common in babies who were born premature and often are the cause of feeding delays and issues. It's inconclusive exactly why this is, but one can only assume it has something to do with the extensive medical intervention that takes place directly after birth and continues for months- Endotracheal tube used to intubate when on a ventilator, Orogastric tube used for feeding, etc.
I mentioned triumph and setback. Since our son's birth, there has been a timeline in place for reaching developmental milestones and goals- much like there is for a full term child only with adjustments allowing for his prematurity and all that comes along with that. He's taken a bit longer to develop fine and gross motor skills, verbal and non-verbal communication and healthy normal function of his brain and body systems. This uphill battle is further complicated by sensory issues and aversions, which are common in premature babies. Our triumphs have been in gross and fine motor skills, non-verbal communication and cognition- He's smart as a whip! Our setbacks have been in tackling his aversions. Oral aversions are common in babies who were born premature and often are the cause of feeding delays and issues. It's inconclusive exactly why this is, but one can only assume it has something to do with the extensive medical intervention that takes place directly after birth and continues for months- Endotracheal tube used to intubate when on a ventilator, Orogastric tube used for feeding, etc.
We have successfully hurdled past all feeding issues associated with his oral aversion and now have been focusing on one last issue- Drinking from a cup. For whatever reason he has been terrified of a cup of any kind, no matter how closely it resembles a bottle. He cries- kicking and screaming whenever a cup is introduced. We have no idea why and it's been extremely challenging to make any headway.
I mentioned trusting our own intuition in addition to our professional help. Enter, our new found love of essential oils. We've spent the past couple months getting our feet wet with the Premium Starter Kit and understanding how to use the oils. One thing we've learned- They only work if you use them. We use them, every day and they work! Young Living offers over 100 different Essential Oil singles and blends as well as many other products. We've started to experience oils and other products outside of the Everyday Oils.
This month, we started using Cedarwood. It caught my attention for it's effectiveness with focus and sleep. I've been diffusing it at night with lavender and also rubbing it topically on our son during the day to help with focus. It has other uses that I disregarded. It never occurred to me that he could benefit from the way Cedarwood reprograms the cells and releases old memories- That just seemed like a benefit for someone older with more life experience. What was I thinking?!! He's had more life experience that needs to be let go of than anyone I know! Well, it's been 3 days and today we had a major breakthrough!! Today, he didn't cry and kick and scream at the sight of the sippy cup. Today, he gave the cup a chance. He held it- never done that before. He chewed the rubbery spout- never ever would he do that before. He gave it a chance. He didn't actually drink from it but, for those of you who have seen his disdain for a cup in the flesh, you know how huge this is!! Baby steps. He'd only ever touch it long enough to throw it across the room as far away as possible. Today, it was as if the cup was a long lost friend. I couldn't help but think that he was letting go of old memories that are hindering him. Perhaps memories of being in the NICU on a ventilator- being intubated- having feeding tubes- not to mention the countless other medical procedures who's memories would undoubtedly be stowed away in his tiny developing brain. I can't imagine.
I mentioned trusting our own intuition in addition to our professional help. Enter, our new found love of essential oils. We've spent the past couple months getting our feet wet with the Premium Starter Kit and understanding how to use the oils. One thing we've learned- They only work if you use them. We use them, every day and they work! Young Living offers over 100 different Essential Oil singles and blends as well as many other products. We've started to experience oils and other products outside of the Everyday Oils.
This month, we started using Cedarwood. It caught my attention for it's effectiveness with focus and sleep. I've been diffusing it at night with lavender and also rubbing it topically on our son during the day to help with focus. It has other uses that I disregarded. It never occurred to me that he could benefit from the way Cedarwood reprograms the cells and releases old memories- That just seemed like a benefit for someone older with more life experience. What was I thinking?!! He's had more life experience that needs to be let go of than anyone I know! Well, it's been 3 days and today we had a major breakthrough!! Today, he didn't cry and kick and scream at the sight of the sippy cup. Today, he gave the cup a chance. He held it- never done that before. He chewed the rubbery spout- never ever would he do that before. He gave it a chance. He didn't actually drink from it but, for those of you who have seen his disdain for a cup in the flesh, you know how huge this is!! Baby steps. He'd only ever touch it long enough to throw it across the room as far away as possible. Today, it was as if the cup was a long lost friend. I couldn't help but think that he was letting go of old memories that are hindering him. Perhaps memories of being in the NICU on a ventilator- being intubated- having feeding tubes- not to mention the countless other medical procedures who's memories would undoubtedly be stowed away in his tiny developing brain. I can't imagine.
I was quietly observing from the other side of the room, in complete shock, and I snapped this pic for Dad. I was overcome with emotion. I will never know if he's been held back by trapped memories but I do know that today was a break through for us- for him. These oils work. They do what they say they do. We use them and that has been our experience. Incredible!
Uses for Cedarwood
According to the Essential Oils Pocket Reference by Life Science Publishing, Cedarwood is also used for hair loss, arteriosclerosis, ADHD, and skin problems such as acne and eczema. When inhaled, Cedarwood stimulates the limbic region of the brain, the center of emotion, and stimulates the pineal glad which releases melatonin. It was found in clinical test by Dr. Terry Friedmann that this oil may help with ADD and ADHD in children. It is recognized for it's calming and purifying properties.
Oh! Did I mention that Cedarwood is on the list of Young Living oils under $20 for wholesale members? It's true.
Oh! Did I mention that Cedarwood is on the list of Young Living oils under $20 for wholesale members? It's true.
This blog is strictly about Young Living Essential oils and products and it is the only brand I recommend. Whenever a particular oil is talked about here, I am referring to Young Living's oils ONLY.
