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I’ve been lucky to not have any issues with breast milk production.
UNTIL NOW.
Baby #3 has been a game changer in a number of ways.
My son eats ALL the time, and life is challenging. I have two kids in school, and a very demanding school counseling job.
I knew that stress could affect your milk, but it never got in the way of my production in the past, so I
Mother’s Milk/Lactation Tea
Lactation Tea is great for boosting your supply, not necessarily for maintaining it.
Mother’s Milk contains fennel, aniseed, coriander, fenugreek and blessed thistle. Due to all the natural herbs included in the tea, it is an acquired taste.
Mrs. Patel’s Chai tea was a nice change in taste for me. Mother’s milk tea was effective, but I wasn’t big on the strong herbal taste.
Fenugreek Supplements
Fenugreek is an ancient herb that women have used to increase breast milk production for thousands of years.
Many women have reported that their milk, urine and/or sweat has a maple syrup smell after taking fenugreek supplements. You can find it in most health food stores & grocery stores.
Lactation Cookies
Eating lactation cookies has been my favorite way to increase breast milk production.
You can purchase them, or make your own. There are several on the market, but my favorite are Fenugreek
I usually buy them in bulk off Amazon and take some to work, keep in the pantry, and at least 1 in my purse.
Rolled Oats/Granola
One of the hardest parts about the postpartum journey is losing the baby weight.
A quick way to slim down is to pay attention to your diet–notice I didn’t say diet. While you are breastfeeding, it is important to consistently eat healthy foods so that you can pass along the nutrients to your baby.
With the exception of Vitamin D, your breast milk has everything your baby needs.
I love adding granola to the top of my yogurt for a healthy snack.
Increased Water Intake
I don’t know about you, but I know I’m guilty of drinking everything but water.
It’s easy to drink water when I’m active or outside, but I struggle with drinking the proper amount daily.
One of the ways I’ve combated my lack of desire for water is to infuse it with fruit, lemon/lime and bringing water to work.
I’ve noticed when I am drinking more water that my skin feels better AND I can produce more milk.
Get Adequate Rest
How can getting adequate rest help breast milk production? Feeling tired affects your mood, which in turn affects your milk.
It’s tough to get a lot of rest with a new little one, especially when they are still waking several times at night.
This may mean that you have to take a nap when they are napping instead of doing the dishes or folding laundry. While those things are important, sometimes those things can wait.
Look At Pictures of Your Baby While Pumping
Sometimes pumping at work can be stressful. Finding the time (and sometimes the place) to pump is a challenge, and you often feel rushed to get back to work.
I’m a school counselor, and there have been many times when a simple knock on the door has interrupted my milk flow. Now I try to make a habit of taking out of my phone and scrolling through videos and pictures of my son while I pump.
Not only does this make me feel good, but it also stimulates the hormone oxytocin, which gets my milk flowing.
If you continue to struggle with your supply, consult a lactation consultant. They can go through a few other options with you, such as checking to see if your baby is latched on correctly and taking in an adequete amount of milk.
And remember, every mom is different. Don’t fall into the comparison trap and feel bad if you can’t breastfeed as long as you’d hoped. Fed is best.
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