Natural Remedies to Increase or Decrease Lactation

Whether you are currently breastfeeding or are planning on doing so, you have probably heard a lot of talk revolving around various concoctions, edibles, products, and prescriptions to increase or decrease your breast milk supply. Natural source drugs are still drugs, and there is no such thing as a 100% safe drug. While many may work (or not work), I wholeheartedly believe that investing in natural, safe, and medicinally proven herbs and foods should be your first stop before considering the alternative!

Lactation is extremely energy expensive and macronutrient requirements (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) for breastfeeding are super important!! Lets start with some important facts about breastfeeding first and foremost!!

1. "Studies have shown that the most healthy breastfeeding persons maintain an abundant milk supply while taking in 1800 - 2200 (or more) calories per day. Consuming less than 1500 - 1800 calories per day may put milk supply at risk, as may a sudden drop in caloric intake." (Staying Health with Nutrition, by Elson Haas pg.576)

2. Comparing a person's previous diet while pregnant vs. newly postpartum and breastfeeding, a person should be eating an extra 500 calories per day on top of their previous diet to keep up with producing enough breast milk for the baby without leaving the person depleted!

3. It is important NOT to count calories or to cut calories during this time

4. Not drinking enough water CAN affect a person's breast milk volume, but drinking more water than what a person's body needs will NOT boost milk production.

5. Breastfeeding persons have used herbs for centuries and they are usually considered safe alternatives for increasing and maintaining and healthy milk supply. Once supply is established it is important to see if the herbs should continue to be used, or if the natural supply is abundant.

6. It is important to breastfeed often and on demand.

7. It is important to have a nutritionally balanced diet to support breastfeeding, but also for your mental health and physical wellbeing!

What Natural Lactogenic Foods BOOST Breast Milk Supply?

• Oatmeal/ Oats

• Barley

• Wheatgrass

• Coconut oil/ butter

• Almond oil/ butter

• Potato

• Quinoa

• Chick peas (hummus!)

• Garlic

What Natural Lactogenic Foods MAINTAIN Breast Milk Supply?

• Spinach

• Oatmeal

• Carrots

• Papaya

• Flax Seed

• Raw Almonds

• Raw Cashews

• Fennel

• Beets

• Yams

• Barley

• Brown Rice

• Sesame Seeds

• Garlic

• Ginger

• Turmeric

• Brewer's Yeast or Nutritional Yeast

• Spirulina

What Galactogagogue Herbs BOOST Breast Milk Supply?

• Cinnamon

• Cumin powder/ seeds

• Fennel seeds

• Fenugreek * - best if taken with blessed thistle

• Basil Leaves

• Chamomile

• Red Raspberry tea

• Caraway

• Nettle Leaf

• Blessed Thistle

• Shatavari Root

• Alfalfa

• Brewer's yeast

• Aniseed

• Goat's Rue

• Malunggay/ Moringa

• Aniseed

* While this is a pretty large list, fenugreek paired with blessed thistle has been said to show the most improvement among my breastfeeding clients!

What Can DECREASE Breast Milk Supply

• Lack of sleep/ fatigue

• Health concerns

• Caffeine (coffee, soda, chocolate)

• Alcohol

• Medications

• chia

• Herbs - sage, parsley, oregano, yarrow, peppermint, and jasmine

• Low caloric intake

• Stress

• Overuse of cabbage for mastitis and/or engorged breasts

How Can These Herbs & Foods be Consumed?

• Tinctures - to be added to warm (not hot) teas, water, or foods, but NOT cooked

• Capsules - to be swallowed with water

• Loose leaf teas - create your own by finding fresh dried herbs, or find a tea that has multiple herbs listed that aid in lactation

• Eaten (ginger, garlic, oatmeal, etc.)

Have any comments or questions? Contact me!