How to Increase Lactation and Breastfeeding with Herbs and Diet

Lactation and breastfeeding are some of the most important choices a new mother has.  When my eldest son was born, 27 years ago, there was no one around to help me breastfeed him. The nursing staff was….well, just not very helpful. I found LaLeche League and by the time my second son was born, I knew a bit more. Thank goodness times have changed!  All sorts of help is available now—there are lactation counselors and the medical community is much more supportive. But, when I was nursing, I didn’t know about galactogogues—herbs that can help with the production of milk, the milk let-down and even allow a nursing mom to treat colic in her baby! Looking back, there were definitely times when I could have used that information.

 

There are a number of useful galactagogues that can be used right after a baby is born.  These galactagogues are substances that can help with the milk supply and aid lactation.  I’ve chosen the ones listed because, for the most part, they are foods.  One of the things to remember is that the constituents of the herbs and foods can pass into the breast milk just like drugs can. 

The point is to choose these constituents to help both mom and baby and to minimize any chance of harm.  It always pays for a nursing mom to remember that part of whatever she eats or drinks can pass into her breastmilk and therefore into her baby.  If you don’t want your baby to have it, don’t ingest it yourself!  If your baby seems to not be enjoying her/his milk, or if he/she seems irritable or acting differently after nursing, it may pay off to look at your diet to see if something YOU are eating is bothering baby.

Herbs that stimulate milk production or quality

All of these herbs are or have been used as foods and they all stimulate milk production or quality.  Quality—especially the antibodies, vitamins, minerals and fats in your breast milk are vitally important to a baby’s development of his/her immune system, nervous system, brain, skeleton and muscles.       

• Anethum graveolens (dill weed).  You can use dill weed on just about any food from meats to vegetables to adding dill to a salad.  Use about ½ a teaspoon.
• Fagopyrum Esculentum (Buckwheat).  Buckwheat contains rutin, useful for decreasing blood pressure. Buckwheat also limits the spikes in blood sugar.
• Lepidium sativum (garden cress).  This can be added to salads and vegetable stir frys. Nasturtium, often seen in gardens is a member of this family—the leaves can also be used in salads.
• Foeniculum vulgare (fennel).  Fennel can be used to stimulate milk production as well as treat infant colic. Fennel seeds or the root can be eaten to achieve this effect.
• Cnicus benedictus (Blessed thistle) has a long history of use as a galactagogue. It can also help with uterine postpartum bleeding. It is best used fresh in salads.
• Cenothera biennis—evening primrose oil—is high in those wonderful omega-3 fatty acids that are SO important for everyone—but especially for newborn babies. These are the fatty acids that are SO important in your baby’s brain and nervous system development.
• Galega officinalis (Goat’s rue) has been used as a galactogogue in the dairy industry for many years—the herb is added to feed.  It is also used to make cheese. Goat’s rue is best added to a salad.

Herbs for Mom and Baby

• Pimpinella Anisum (Anise)—for colicky baby.  Add some anise to a calming chamomile tea for yourself and your baby will get soothed as well.
• Anethum graveolens (dill weed)—for colicky and gassy baby. Dill weed can be added to salads and soups. You can add dill to a tea as well.
• Foeniculum vulgare (fennel).  For colicky and gassy baby. Fennel seeds can be chewed The fennel seeds also help soothe mom’s stomach and help freshen breath!  Fennel seeds are often given out at Indian restaurants because of their carminative effect—a carminative calms upset stomachs and reduces the amount of gas produced.
• Fenugreek (trigonella graceum foecus) Important--- don’t use this herb during pregnancy as it can increase uterine contractions.  Immediately after delivery, it has been used by midwives for centuries to both get the uterus to contract. You would only need to use it for a few days after delivery.  It is also used as a galactagogue, to help with lactation.
• Urtica dioica (nettles) is great as a nutritive as well as a calming herb.  New moms have a pretty high level of stress and being able to stay calm can be very important.  Avena (oats) also has this effect. Another Nervine that is helpful is chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
• Cimicifuga racemosa (Black cohosh)—after delivery, black cohosh helps with the milk let-down reflex.  This is important as the first few days of breastfeeding can be the most problematic.
• Carum carvi (Caraway)— can help a colicky baby calm down and sleep better.
• Avena sativa (oats)—Oats are a great nutritive, acts as a galactagogue, can lower cholesterol and is also useful as a calming Nervine.  Have an oatmeal breakfast, and both mom and baby will be better nourished and relaxed.

Herbs to avoid while breastfeeding

Remember, anything YOU eat can potentially get into your breast milk.  Most herbs and foods won’t harm your baby, but they could very well give some unpleasant side effects—diarrhea, gas, colic or irritability.  If your baby seems to react to something in your food, make sure you give it up for awhile.  Also, the following herbs should not be used if you are breast feeding.  

• Aloe (Aloe vera, A. ferox, A. perryi)
• Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
• Borage (Borago officinalis)
• Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus)
• Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana)
• Chinese rhubarb (Rheum palmatum)
• Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
• Elecampane (Inula helenium)
• Ephedra, ma huang (Ephedra sinica)
• Joe Pye (Eupatorium purpureum)
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
• Purging buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus)
• Senna (Senna alexandrina)
• Stillingia (Stillingia sylvatica)
• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)