Posted by Les Mauvaises Herbes
Nursing tea? Yes, please.
Before having my daughter, I thought all breastfeeding women had legendary milk letdowns worthy of a geyser. To hear my friends tell it (whose breasts would squirt at the slightest sound of a thirsty baby), they could have put out forest fires with their inexhaustible supply of milk.
To my great surprise, that was not my case.
Not only did I have expectations regarding milk production, but I also had them regarding breastfeeding. I naively believed it was something naturally easy.
Hahahahaha, I really make myself laugh today! Ahem, ahem…
The breastfeeding saga
Even though we are full-fledged mammals, breastfeeding is not something that happens in the blink of an eye. #ouch
Furthermore, milk production is not guaranteed for everyone. Obviously, several elements can affect breastfeeding, but in general, it is governed by a matter of supply and demand. The more a baby nurses, the more they stimulate lactation. Therefore, you must ensure that the baby is latching well and nursing frequently.
A quick note before continuing
Nursing teas should not be viewed as a miraculous solution to a milk production problem. There are possibly other reasons behind the lack of milk. Is the latch good? Does the baby have a tongue-tie that is too short? Do they have torticollis? It is important to consult and build a good support system to try to find what is behind a low milk supply. A support network for a breastfeeding mom is worth all the teas in the world!
If you are experiencing difficulties, I advise you to call on a doctor, a nurse, a midwife, or a lactation consultant, all of whom will be able to support you. You can also be paired with a breastfeeding mentor (refer to Nourri-Source!).
If you and your baby do not have any particular conditions, but your milk production is still low despite frequent nursing sessions and the baby having a good latch, you will be happy to learn that you can use medicinal plants to support your breastfeeding journey!
In addition to galactagogue plants that can help increase milk production, you can kill two birds with one stone and add other allies with various properties to your tea to help treat all sorts of minor ailments. Indeed, plants ingested by the mother have effects on the baby if they are consuming breast milk. Some are calming and help soothe babies (hello, sleep after the chaos caused by too-short nights), while others reduce gas (the dreaded colic!).
I used plants throughout my breastfeeding journey, according to my needs. I primarily used my nursing tea at the beginning to stimulate my milk production, and a little later to maintain it when I returned to work and started pumping.
Breastfeeding's herbal allies
Some plants promote lactation, while others are nourishing, calming, and digestive. Beyond the galactagogue plants that act on the mother, all of the plants' properties can be felt by both mom and baby.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)
The two greatest allies for lactation are fenugreek and blessed thistle. To boost their effectiveness, it is recommended to consume them in synergy, meaning together.
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Nettle is also a galactagogue. Highly nourishing, it is also useful after childbirth to remineralize the system and provide iron and protein. Has anyone ever told you that giving birth is like running a marathon (while losing blood)? Well, it is!
Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
Galactagogue and digestive, fennel helps with milk production and reducing colic and gas in infants. You can consume fennel seeds either as a tea or in your meals! It worked very well in my case.
When I pumped my milk a few hours after eating my partner’s famous fennel rice, my milk production was always higher. WHAT?
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is a calming plant that can be preferred to soothe the baby and support mom through the emotional roller coaster.
German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile promotes digestion and relieves restlessness, nervous tension, and insomnia.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip is relaxing. It therefore helps relieve symptoms of stress and insomnia.
Depending on the properties you are looking for, you can select the plants that best suit your needs and create your own blends.
Try our recipes!
Here are the three teas that accompanied me in my daily life as a new mom.
Pssst! All the blends are just as good hot as they are iced (which is highly appreciated in summer!). Happy lactation, moms!
Lactation Tea for Overwhelmed New Moms
An all-dressed herbal tea perfect when you need 1) a boost for lactation, 2) to regain your strength after childbirth (a real marathon), 3) to soothe gas and colic, 4) to help baby sleep for more than 15 minutes, and 5) to calm the nerves of an anxious and stressed new mother. A 5-in-1.
Bam!
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
12 mois
Rendement
85 g / 635 ml
Niagara Lactation Tea
Looking to support your milk production? Opt for a powerful galactagogue plant duo: fenugreek and blessed thistle!
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
12 mois
Rendement
100 g / 400 ml
Maternity herbal tea - basic care
A very simple yet incredibly delicious herbal blend, to be consumed without worry and in abundance for at least the first year of breastfeeding. It supports the mother's nervous system, the baby's digestion (gas, discomfort, colic) as well as the mother's, and enriches breast milk.
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
12 mois
Rendement
95 g
Note
This article is not intended as a pro-breastfeeding campaign; I am simply presenting herbal allies that can support breastfeeding for those who can and wish to breastfeed. Also, it is recommended to consult your doctor or an accredited clinical herbalist regarding the use of herbs while breastfeeding.
Also, before consuming medicinal plants, it is important to seek advice in case of allergies, health problems, or to verify potential interactions with any medications you are taking.
