Spring and summer are high-allergy times for many, breastfeeding moms included. The common approach is to take an anti-histimine to help alleviate the symptoms. You may not know, however, that these antihistimines can also decrease or dry up breastmilk! These medications are made to dry up secretions and fluids - it will not differentiate between the different body fluids and will commonly decrease breastmilk production. So keep this in mind if you're thinking of resorting to those anti-histimines!
There are several herbs that work well to increase milk production. You may be wondering which one is best for you! Here is a brief summary - there is MUCH more information under Articles & Information and a more detailed and comprehensive one in the Premium Article section. Here is a brief summary though:
My assistant and student, Gina Rogers, wrote a fascinating article on breastmilk for National Breastfeeding Month that I thought was highly informative and wanted to share with you! She writes.....
The 1oz regular and 1oz non-alcohol tinctures are being eliminated and on clearance at 30% off under the coupon codeCLEARANCE(This sale does not apply to wholesale customers.)
Traditionally used as a natural antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral. Safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Fennel Tincture
Price
$13.50
The 1oz regular and 1oz non-alcohol tinctures are being eliminated. The 2oz non-alcohol tincture is getting closer to the expiration date than we'd like (still very good but we're trying to be proactive) so these three sizes/types are on sale at 30% off under the coupon codeCLEARANCE(This sale does not apply to wholesale customers.)
Helps to ease nausea, gas, colic, reflux, indigestion, and heartburn. Aids in bowel movements. May Increase breastmilk production in nursing mothers.
A galactagogue is an herb that is used to help increase breastmilk production in nursing mothers. Below is a list of some of the more effective and popular herbs and some important information about each. For a list of the products that Herb Lore offers that include these herbs, information about which one is appropriate for your situation, and helpful dosage information, please click HERE.
In this highly informative article, you will learn what colic is and what can cause this painful situation and feeding suggestions to help alleviate baby's colic. Learn what foods that mom may be eating that may be problematic, and a list of foods that commonly cause colic in babies so you know what to avoid.
The 1oz regular and 1oz non-alcohol tinctures are being eliminated and on clearance at 30% off under the coupon codeCLEARANCE (This sale does not apply to wholesale customers.)
Traditionally known as a powerful herb for increasing breastmilk production. Great choice for women with IGT, hypoplasia, previous breast surgeries, or a low milk supply from the start.
Many herbalists have extensive knowledge about using herbs, but not many are specifically trained in using herbs with pregnant, trying-to-conceive or breastfeeding mothers. This is a whole other realm of herbalism with critical considerations and consequences for pregnant and nursing mothers and their babies. Our herbalist and company founder, Pam Caldwell, is one of the few herbalists who specialize in this area, with over 20 years of experience. She is knowledgeable about what works and what herbs to use for various problems, and especially what is safe and appropriate for pregnant moms, trying-to-conceive moms, and breastfeeding moms and their babies. What might be safe for a regular person may be contraindicated (or even dangerous) for a pregnant or breastfeeding woman or her baby. The importance of using products made by an expert or listening to advice from an expert when pregnant or breastfeeding cannot be understated. (Click the title above to read more about this important topic....)
Ear Infections, Eye Infections, Fevers, Coughs, Colds, Flu and even Yeast Infections!
In this informative article, learn what herbs are best for immune system health - what to use to keep you and your family healthy (so you don't get sick in the first place), what to use if you do become ill, and how to use each of these herbs and herbal products correctly for best results. Also addressed in this article:
The lists below are not all-inclusive, but will provide a general guideline of some of the most commonly used western herbs that should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
In this expanded and in-depth article, learn what affects milk production, and what the different herbs, products or techniques are that are successfully in helping to increase production.
I have a colleague who's a recently retired IBCLC (International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants). When she was practicing, each time she would test for her certification, she would always get the highest scores in the country. She's extremely knowledgeable and very experienced. I am blessed to know and work with many extremely experienced and knowledgeable lactation consultants.
She wrote a piece yesterday about the formula shortage and what moms can do. She's given me permission to share it with you. Here's what she wrote: (Please note that I have also reached out to some of my other equally qualified and experienced IBCLC's for their input, information and advice that they may have. I will add these below when I hear back from them, in different colors to make new information easy to see. Please check back for any new information. Anyway, here's the first one for you:
Iron Tonic Tincture
Price
$24.50
Helps support healthy blood levels and may help with anemic-type situations without causing constipation like a pharmaceutical iron supplement would.
Didn't make enough breastmilk for your first baby? Now you're pregnant with your next one, or considering getting pregnant again? Are you wondering if you should even try to breastfeed this next baby, considering how difficult or perhaps even impossible it was with your first one? Let me give you some excellent news ...
‘Will the pain medication I have in labor affect my baby?” asks my client Olivia with curious eyes. I think I know the answer she is hoping for and I don’t think I can give it to her. “Yes” I reply, to which I see a momentary flutter of disappointment cross her face. “Most medication reaches the baby in ten minutes.” At a lactation conference put on by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Placer County, Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC says Fentanyl, a common pain medication used in labor, lasts about 2 hours in the mother and can last up to 13 hours in a baby. Babies should not be breastfed for 4 hours after administration. Often times mothers will receive more than one shot, that stacks up and may take a day or more for it to wear off in the baby.
This article give information on the causes of mastitis, who is at greatest risk, how to prevent it, and most importantly, how to resolve it quickly and without the need for antibiotics. (To read the entire article, please Login or Subscribe.)
These were two unexpected and VERY unpleasant issues that began to creep up on me just 3 weeks after the birth of my daughter. Actually it didn’t creep up at all - it actually happened very fast – one minute I was feeling fine and within a ½ hour, I was feeling horrible. Like I had the worst flu of my life. Fever, achiness - it seemed like there was pain everywhere. And I had to take care of my new baby while I was feeling more horrible than I could ever remember feeling. Finally we figured out that I had a breast infection. I did the usual route of a round of antibiotics, which made
Nursing Mother's Liver Tonic
Price
$24.50
These herbs have traditionally and successfully been used as gentle liver cleansers, and are all safe for use while breastfeeding.
Nursing Tea Moringa Blend
Price
$19.95
May help to increase breastmilk production while helping to ease gas or colic. Great choice for mothers with newborns, or babies with gas or sensitive tummies.
Nursing Tincture Moringa Blend
Price
$21.95
May help to increase breastmilk production while helping to ease gas or colic. Great choice for mothers with newborns, or babies with gas or sensitive tummies in the convenient liquid-extract tincture form.
Moms sometimes need to decrease or stop their breastmilk production for a variety of reasons - weaning, adoption, fetal demise, or just an over-abundant breastmilk supply! This article will give you suggestions on how to stop, or simply decrease milk supply while maintaining a manageable flow for their baby, and to prevent plugged ducts and mastitis, which is a real risk when trying to stop or decrease milk supply. (To read the entire article, please Login or Subscribe.)
Learn what a plugged duct is, what can cause them, and how to eliminate it before it turns into mastitis. Find out what herbs and supplements are recommended that will quickly help clear a plug, and to keep them from ever occuring again. Learn what breastfeeding positions will help clear a plug, and why its so important to keep breastfeeding. (To read the entire article, please Login or Subscribe.)
Nursing Mother’s Companion, by Kathleen Huggins (includes a great section in the back regarding the safety of drugs during breastfeeding)
Bestfeeding, by Suzanne Arms
Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, by La Leche League
Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs, by James J. Rybacki & James W. Long (has list of 2000 prescription drugs, listing any interactions with herbs and whether safe or not for pregnancy and lactation)
In this highly informative article, find out why Reflux is commonly incorrectly diagnosed and what other issues may really be to blame. Read about the risks of antacid medications such as Prilosec® and Prevacid®, and how taking these medications can actually GIVE you Reflux when you may not have actually had it in the first place!
The following Flower Essences are included in the Rescue Remedy combination. The following is a list of each of their meanings and how they can be of help to you:
This tea is on clearance at 30% off under the coupon code CLEARANCE . We're moving to a new white bag and must clear out the current gold bag packaging. (This sale does not apply to wholesale customers.)
Traditionally used to dry up or decrease breastmilk. Also helps ease hot flashes in menopausal women.
Sage Tea (or Tincture) is the best herb used to decrease breastmilk production, which is helpful for weaning or when over-production, chronic or frequent engorgement, or plugged ducts is a problem, or in cases of fetal demise.
The 1oz regular and 1oz non-alcohol tinctures are being eliminated and on clearance at 30% off under the coupon codeCLEARANCE (This sale does not apply to wholesale customers.)
Traditionally used to dry up or decrease breastmilk. Also may help alleviate hot flashes in menopausal women.
Sore nipples can be a painful and problematic for breastfeeding women. The following ideas will help heal nipples and also give you ideas on causes of and how you can prevent sore or even cracked, bleeding nipples in the first place. (To read the entire article, please Login or Subscribe.)
Everyone should be taking Calcium/Magnesium supplements, especially pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as menopausal women and children. In pregnant and breastfeeding women, the body will rob from itself to provide enough of these nutrients for the growing baby. This is why many women come out of pregnancy and breastfeeding with teeth problems and thinning bones, muscle cramps and backaches.
Moms and babies can develop thrush, especially if they were given a round of antibiotics. Thrush is a yeast infection in the breast for mom, and orally for baby. Learn what the symptoms are in mom and in baby, what feeds the organism making it extremely difficult to eradicate, supplements you can take and other practices to naturally eliminate this very irritating, stubborn situation. (To read the entire article, please Login or Subscribe.)
Helps ease symptoms of gas, colic, reflux and other digestive complaints including indigestion, nausea, and heartburn.
Valerian Root Tincture
Price
$15.50
We have a few 1oz regular bottles with an old lot number on them (still well within the expiration date) so they're on sale at 30% off under the coupon codeCLEARANCE(This sale does not apply to wholesale customers.)
Traditionally known to be one of the most effective herbs for sleep & relaxation. It is also effective for balancing ADHD.
Vitex Tincture
Price
$34.98
Helps to balance the female hormone system, helping to ease PMS symptoms, menopausal symptoms, and helping aid fertility.
Testimonial
I am really pleased with the results of women taking Pregnancy Tea Plus. So far we have not had to transfer any primips (first-time moms) for anything among those taking it. Without it, we were transferring 20%. C.M., Midwife (homebirth)