The nourishing qualities of plants and herbs are amazing and have been used for centuries by breastfeeding mothers around the world.
Both of my babies had tongue-ties which made latching very difficult and my supply dwindled. I was lucky enough to have some "more milk" tea hand made for me by my local herbalist. I drank at least a litre of the tea every day and it really helped with my milk production. If you can't find a herbalist to make a blend for you then there are many to choose from online.
These were the key ingredients to my “more milk” tea:
Goat's Rue, Fennel Seed, Red Raspberry Leaf, Nettle and Chamomile.
Most mothers do not need herbs to stimulate milk production – instead they need rest, relaxation, hydration, nutrition, and a baby who has an excellent latch and sucking reflex. It is impossible to make sufficient milk if you aren't hydrated!
If all of the above is normal or has been addressed and you still need to increase milk supply – then read on!
Below is a list of the herbs used in my tea and a little information about each.....
Goat’s Rue - another powerful herb for stimulating the production and flow of breast milk. It is a good choice for women who experience issues from the beginning. It has been shown to increase milk production by up to 50%!!
Fennel - this herb is great for increasing your supply, and is also extremely helpful in relieving symptoms of wind or upset stomach. It is the perfect herb to take with Fenugreek, when wind is a problem.
Red Raspberry Leaf - not only does it help to increase breast milk production, but it also will help the uterus recover after birth. It is also really high in vitamins and minerals.
Nettle - for generations, women have used this herb to help make more breast milk. It is also known to enrichen the milk as is high in those all important vits and mins!
Chamomile - a wonder herb which will help mum feel more calm and relaxed which in turn will help milk production.
Note there are some herbs that decrease milk supply:
Oregano, Parsley, Peppermint, menthol and spearmint, Sage (which is actually used for weaning or for healing mastitis), Sorrel, Thyme, Chickweed, Periwinkle and Cocoa.
Also beware of these herbs which could harm the baby via the breast milk:
Rhubarb root, Evodia, Star anise, Sophora root, Ginseng, Bladderwrack, Angelica Root, Indian Snakeroot, Wormwood, Coltsfoot, Chaparral, Petasites root, Ginkgo, Kava, Valerian, Coptis, Aloe, Senna, Borrage, Licorice, Basil, Ephedra and Rue.
BIG love,
Star xx
