I’m an exclusive pumper and proud.

Disclaimer: I am not a lactation consultant, I am not a Dr, I have no education in this area at all. This is simply based on my experience.

BRAND NEW MOM HERE!! Here’s what I think.

Before I was pregnant, I swore I would never breastfeed. It just seemed like it would be too time consuming, too exhausting, and kids who get formula are just as healthy and smart.

Well I was right. Breastfeeding is time consuming and exhausting. It’s hard physically and emotionally. I wish there was a button you could press and all the milk would come out but no, you sit there for 30 minutes and sometimes that’s not enough.

One of the first things I’ve learned is that PUMPING IS BREASTFEEDING. I’ll say it again for all the Karen’s in the back. PUMPING IS BREASTFEEDING. And don’t let anyone tell you any different. You may not be nursing but your baby is still getting the milk your body is producing, that is breastfeeding.

Now, do I think breast is best? Nope. Do I think it’s worth the time I’m taking to pump every 3 hours? Kinda but I won’t lie, I’m not totally convinced.

Some benefits I have experienced are:

We haven’t had to buy any formula. I got a free sample of Similac so we were able to use that to supplement before I started producing enough milk. The pump I originally got was provided by my insurance – It didn’t work well for me so I am borrowing a different one from a friend (Thanks Amanda!). I have not started my period yet (HUGE BONUS!!!!!). I had very minimal bleeding after birth (thank you lord). It has helped me lose baby weight (okay, I see you pumping.). Daddy gets to help feed (why didn’t God design men to produce milk too?).

My best advice (again, remember I am not an expert):

GET SIZED FOR YOUR FLANGES! Oh my gosh. My flanges were WAYYY too big. I mean, I could have fit two nipples in one of those babies. To be honest, at first I thought they were too small (24mm) so I literally sent a picture of my nipple to a random lady I found on Facebook and she told me to get 19mm flanges… WOW, she was right! I’m actually impressed. I’m also weirded out by the fact that I sent a picture of my nipple to some lady but hey, it worked. Since getting sized, it no longer hurts when I pump and I get an ounce to two ounces more milk! Now I’m sure someone at the hospital can size you so you don’t have to be psycho and send a boob pic to some rando…

GET MULTIPLE FLANGES & BOTTLES. You won’t want to wash them and dry them immediately after every single use. It’s so nice to have multiples so you can pump, refrigerate, and wash when you can.

REWARD YOURSELF! After pumping, have that piece of chocolate, eat that bag of chips, have a second cup of coffee. Reward yourself for giving up your time and body.

GET COCONUT OIL! I use this instead of nipple cream. It has changed my life. Since I started using it, I no longer get cracked nipples. I apply it once a day. It truly makes a difference in my pumping journey.

BE PATIENT! My milk didn’t come in right away. KEEP PUMPING! I pumped at the hospital every three hours for the entire time I was there and I didn’t get a single drop. It was very defeating. I got home and SHAZAM! It was flowing like a faucet.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF. You are an extraordinary woman whether you breastfeed, nurse, or formula feed. You just preformed a miracle! Give yourself time to heal. Give yourself grace.

Other tidbits-

When you bend over to put on your pants, don’t be surprised when you start leaking. It never fails… When I bend over to pull up my pants after showering, I immediately start leaking. I usually run to the pump and hook up, I don’t want to waste any of that liquid gold.

What is a freezer stash? This gave me so much anxiety when I first started pumping. I had the idea that I had to have hundreds of ounces saved up. 7 weeks into it, I have created a system. I make enough bottles for the next 24 hours; this equates to about 10 bottles in the fridge at all times. However many ounces I have leftover after making sure I have ten bottles, gets froze. So at my early morning pump session, I can usually get enough milk to make two bottles and freeze 3oz. Every bag I freeze is 3oz so it’s consistent. You can freeze more in a bag but I don’t want to waste any – if a bag breaks while thawing or if baby only eats 4oz instead of 6oz… Freezing only 3oz in a bag, I know he will drink it all and not chance wasting any. -milk is good for 4 days in the refrigerator, 6 months in the freezer, 12 months in a deep freezer.

Once I stopped worrying about having a freezer stash, my supply increased. I have approx. 240oz saves so far. Don’t stress yourself out about it.

What is power pumping? Power pumping is 20 minutes, rest 10, pump 10, rest 10, pump 10. This mimics cluster feeding which signals your body to make more milk. I did this twice a day for 3 days straight.. It was time consuming and annoying but it did allow me to produce over 35oz that day and I had an overall increase in milk the days following. If I notice a decrease in supply, I do a power pump. If I have time while pumping, I will do a mini power pump (my own term). I will pump for 15 and rest for 10, then pump for another 10. This has helped me produce more. Ultimately, you need to do what works best for you and it may take a few days to a week to figure out what that is.

Why is baby gassy/fussy? I have started to wonder if what I’m eating if impacting Nolan’s attitude. He will spit up more after some feedings, he will be more gassy or cry more certain days. I don’t know if what I eat makes a huge difference but sometimes I do look at what I ate the day I pumped that milk and think he’s fussy because of it. More on this when I figure it out.

Speaking of diet — I did read where eating oats can help increase supply. Some say the only true way to increase supply is to pump more frequently and empty your breasts every time… I can’t really say if the oatmeal and oatmeal cookies (I got them from Milky Mama) are helping increase it but I’m trying it out. It’s a real scientific experiment.

If you read this far, I appreciate you. I hope my experiences, and what I share, helps you in some way.

Remember… You don’t have to nurse or breastfeed to be a good mom. You’re doing the best you can and that’s enough.

All the best, Mama

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Keeping My Milk Supply Up (through stress, growth spurts & covid without interruption)

Being a mother is quite possibly the most challenging job out there, right? One kid, two kids, three or more – mothering comes with a variety of daily challenges. Add in our current situation of Covid and we’re in a whole new ball game. Mothering now is beyond stressful and comes with new fears we never thought we’d experience in this lifetime. Yet, here we are.

As mothers, we’re almost made to feel like breastfeeding should come naturally to be good moms. Breastfeeding if often yet another challenge for moms, making us either the sole food source for our children which can create a lot of pressure or maybe it didn’t work out for one reason another, making us feel guilty. Before I move into talking about breastfeeding, I think is important to share that I 110% believe that FED IS BEST (under all circumstances). I support all moms in their decisions of how they decide to feed their children whether they breastfeed, pump, use formula or choose a combination of two or all three.

I have been blessed and there hasn’t been a second that I don’t recognize that, especially as I sit in the thick of breastfeeding my five month old. My breastfeeding journey has been different with all three of my children (I’ll share each journey another day) though encouraging supply has always remained the same.

I’ve met so many mothers who struggle with supply and while I am completely aware that every mothers body is different and that some things work for some and not for others, I want to share with you, the things I myself swear by. What do I mean by that? Yes, I have been blessed. I am the person whose milk comes in the day they give birth and (when I pumped) would pump 8 oz on each side in under 10 minutes, BUT stressors affect me too and keeping up with the demands of life have not always come without the extra effort.

When my kids went through growth spurts and were cluster feeding or when I had a long day and didn’t eat enough or drink enough, I always had to give my body an extra boost to keep my supply up as I often felt the dip within a short 24 hours. Everything we do affects our bodies and it’s during nursing that I have noticed this most. Some things you may notice as a result of a dip in supply are a fussier baby, baby nursing constantly (maybe not getting enough), or sore nipples. I always check by trying to hand express and for me, if the milk doesn’t come pretty quickly, there’s been a dip.

So how do you fix it? The first things I did for my first two were drink water and almond milk and eat oatmeal. Within a day or so, I always felt my supply improve and was set back up for continued nursing success. Dealing with Covid has brought new challenges and through nursing my daughter I have been grateful to find my new favorite lactation booster which is the Sweetie Pie Organics Lactation Smoothies.

What do I love about Sweetie Pie Organics Lactation Smoothies?

• Easy! Take them on the go, keep them in your bag and you can have one anywhere, anytime!
• They help SO quickly! I have one the morning after a long day and I never notice the dip I’m used to!
• They’re yummy! I grew up drinking a pear drink (I can’t for the life of me remember the name) that I loved and it tastes just like it. The flavor is apple pear though it is more pear. Some reviews comment on not liking the flavor but if you keep that in mind and you drink it cold, I think you’ll like it just as much as I do!
• Finally, PROVEN INGREDIENTS! Ingredients like flaxseed and fenugreek are known to help support breastfeeding mothers and their lactation.

Drinking these lactation smoothies has kept me from having to chug water bottles and almond milk to bring up my supply which has been much easier and more enjoyable. These do not replace the need for water but should be taken with your daily water intake. These are great for replenishing if you have had a long day and need a boost or daily to keep your supply up.

I’d love to hear about some of your tricks and if you decide to try Sweetie Pie Organics Lactation Smoothies, would love to hear about your experience! Happy Nursing!

XO,

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Lactation Diary during NICU

Finally, I have a chance to write about my experience with my firstborn while he was staying in NICU. This time I am focusing on my lactation story. My son was admitted to NICU because of his breathing and other abnormalities, and he was there for exactly three weeks. I went to visit him 12 hours a day to give him company and provide him the best nutrition in the world, breast milk. I spend 3 hours back and forth commuting by bus-train between my house and hospital. I was exhausted and travel-worn even more because I just had my delivery, but that struggle was nothing than my longing for him.

The nurse recommended a helpful lactation diary book, “NICUに赤ちゃんがいるお母さんのための搾乳ダイアリー” written by Makiko Oyama, a Lactation specialist doctor in Japan, to track my every 2-3 hours pumping. This book helped me a lot to get through the hurdles of breastmilk pumping and encourage me with lots of heartfelt messages. From today onwards, I shall challenge myself to translate those messages from Japanese to English or Bahasa Indonesia. I hope you can found it helpful as well ;).

There it is “Lactation Diary for Moms with Babies in NICU”

<<Bahasa Indonesia>>

Diari Laktasi Ibu untuk Si Kecil di NICU

Segala puji untuk Allah yang telah memberikanku kesempatan untuk menulis pengalaman menyusui anak pertamaku yang dirawat di NICU selama 3 minggu di tahun 2016.

Selalu ada cerita dan hikmah di tiap kelahiran anak.
Itulah yang kurasakan saat aku melahirkan anak pertama di tahun 2016. Aku dan bayi berjuang melalui proses panjang 40 jam kontraksi. Ibu lelah, si kecil pun juga.
Begitu bidan memberi aba “sudah keluar!” aku tak mendengar tangis lahirnya. Dia terlihat lemah biru keunguan, tak bernafas. Dokter langsung memberikan tindakan pertama dan Alhamdulillah, hanya dengan ijin Allah dia bisa kembali bernafas. Karena beberapa kondisi kesehatannya, si kecil harus dirawat di NICU. Duh jadi ke mana-mana kalau cerita proses kelahiran.

Singkat cerita, si kecil dirawat di NICU karena problem utama pernafasan. Selama di NICU, si kecil dapat ASIP dari stok yang saya perah di rumah maupun selama jam kunjung dan susu formula di waktu tertentu. Rumah sakit si kecil dirawat itu sangat pro-ASI, jadi sebisa mungkin kalau ada stok ASIP diutamakan. Tapi, ada juga waktu di mana bayi mendadak lapar, *cemilan kali ya :p, yang mana waktu pencairan/penyiapan ASIP tidak terkejar sehingga di situlah peran susu formula dibutuhkan. Tentang sufor, Alhamdulillah, setelah berdiskusi dengan pihak RS, mereka bisa menyediakan sufor yang muslim-friendly.

Aku berjuang untuk memompa ASI bagaimana caranya agar melimpah, apalagi di awal produksi asi itu sedikit sekali. Tidak sampai 0.1 ml!
Kaget, kok hanya segini. Lalu perawat menenangkan saya dengan berkata bahwa hal itu memang wajar di hari pertama lahir. Tiga hari pertama bayi lahir itulah ASI VIP aka ASI penuh colostrum. Colostrum sangat penting bagi pertumbuhan dan kesehatan si kecil. Sedikit tapi padat gizi. Setelahnya, produksi susu akan bertambah sesuai kebutuhan bayi. Lambung bayi baru lahir masih kecil sekali, sehingga mereka minum sedikit tapi sering. Dengan jumlah segitu InsyaAllah cukup. Yang penting lanjutkan!

Memompa ASI itu perjuangan! Aku harus berjibaku untuk tepat waktu memerah karena satu kunci sukses ASIP: peras/pompa setiap 2-3 jam dengan lama waktu sekitar 30 menit. Perawat di rumah sakit si kecil dirawat merekomendasikan buku diari laktasi karya dokter Makiko Oyama, seorang spesialis laktasi di Jepang. Buku ini sangat membantu saya untuk mencatat waktu pompa, jumlah perahan, dan sebagainya. Karena dicatat, jadi memudahkan untuk lihat jumlah kenaikan produksi ASIP. Selain itu, pesan-pesan dan catatan penting tertulis di tiap halaman jadi motivasi para pejuang ASIP agar pantang menyerah. InsyaAllah saya akan terjemahkan dalam bahasa Inggris dan bahasa Indonesia.

Semoga membantu ;)

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A Case study of early postpartum excessive breast engorgement: is it related to feedback inhibition of lactation?

There is limited information about problems of feedback inhibition of lactation which should be considered as a rare cause of breast engorgement. We report the management of excessive breast engorgement in a mother with a presumptive diagnosis of a defect in the feedback inhibition of lactation.

Abstract available in Journal of Human Lactation, 8 October 2020.
(subscription and log in required to see the full article)

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The Man Cave Part 1

This week’s post is going to be a little different. This is part 1 of a short erotic story I wrote. It’s based on a fun dream I had, so enjoy and stay tuned next week for part 2!

“Welcome to my man cave” he said as he unlocked the door and let us inside.

This wasn’t at all what I had pictured when he asked me back to his man cave after dinner, but that was a pleasant surprise. My experiences with frat guys and the dank basement rooms they watched TV in had rendered me unable to imagine a man cave being so elegant. But here we were in his man cave, and it was definitely elegant. Everything was sleek dark wood and comfortable tweed. Tall bookshelves lined one wall and across from them was a well worn but attractive sofa.

“Have a seat. You like scotch?” He asked.

“I, uh, sure.” I managed to eek out, still surveying his domain. I couldn’t remember if I had ever tasted scotch, but I was in a say yes kind of mood so I went with it. He’d been full of surprises all night, so I shouldn’t have been surprised to find out he was an excellent interior decorator. But I was. Apparently he was also a musician I realized as I noticed the instruments hanging on the wall. 

I took a seat at one end of the sofa as he handed me my drink and took his seat at the other end. He chose a spot that kept a respectable distance between us, much to my dismay. I delicately took a sip and eyed him. He had the kind of sad dark eyes I could get lost in, could see myself telling my darkest secrets to, and yet…was he nervous? He sat, fidgeting with the glass in his hand barely looking at me, such a change from the charming, charismatic gentleman who had met me for dinner. 

“Nervous?” I quietly asked. 

“That obvious, huh?” He said with an embarrassed chuckle.

“Want to tell me about it?” I said, hoping to crack his shell.

“I, uh, well, it’s just that…you’re my first,” he said finally, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Your first?” I said scrunching up my eyebrows. 

“Yeah, I’ve never actually had the courage to invite someone back here,” he admitted looking away.

And there it was. If he had plucked up the courage to invite me here he must have wanted me. It gave me a glimmer of hope; men don’t invite you somewhere private to just talk, and I had no intentions to ‘just talk’. I let his confession hang in the air between us for a couple minutes while I sipped my drink and plotted a way to help his nerves. Finally I caught his gaze and asked, “well, if you weren’t nervous what would you do differently?”

“Well we’d be sitting a lot closer, for starters…”

“So do it.” I said a hint of a dare in my voice and a wry smile on my face.

He sat there for a second before he downed his drink, got up and plopped down next to me. I could feel the smooth texture of his pants against my bare thigh below my short skirt and I felt my breath catch. 

“What else would be different?” I said, taking a sip of my drink for courage.

He smiled and stretched his arm along the back of the sofa behind me caressing my neck. The chills descended down my spine and I felt my nipples harden. I’m sure it was obvious through my silk top, but he didn’t notice. He was gazing at me so intently that I felt a deep blush creep over me. 

“What?” I asked, embarrassed, batting my eyelashes for effect.

“It really doesn’t bother you that I’m old enough to be your father?”

I shook my head, and my soft curls bounced from side to side. He was devilishly handsome, and cultured, and read all the right books. Sure, his hair had a healthy streak of silver throughout, but it gave him a distinguished polish that made my heart race. Anyway, I was here for a good time and I felt certain he was good for one hell of a good time.

“So if I kissed you right now, you would like that?” He said, stirring me from my thoughts.

I slowly nodded, locked in his gaze unable to even answer. And just like that our lips met. He kissed me with a passion I hadn’t expected, a seeking, yearning, need that bubbled up from within him, caressing my lips with his like he was telling me all his secrets with his kisses. When we finally pulled apart I was breathless. He gazed at me for a moment. 

“Oh, I must have spilled your drink!” He said with a start.

Looking down I realized what he was talking about, but it wasn’t my drink. 

“Oh, no, you didn’t spill my drink. I’m leaking…”

“Leaking?” He asked.

“Yeah, I’m a wet nurse.” I said flatly. Most men weren’t into it and some men were put off by it so I hadn’t brought up my job at dinner, but now it seemed I was going to have to do some explaining-and fast. But his eyes told a different story. He wasn’t repulsed by my milk. In fact he seemed downright excited by this information. The look in his eyes was akin to a little boy on Christmas Day, so full of excitement and wonder.

“Is everything ok?” I asked.

He looked away for a moment like he was trying to come up with the right answer for me. Finally after a long pause he looked back at me and said “can I try it?”

“Try what?” I said playing dumb. I knew what he wanted, but I wanted him to say it. I loved how he blushed as his eyes darted to my bust before answering me. 

“I want to try nursing. I’ve always wanted to but I never….” He trailed off. His eyes were still locked with mine searching for an answer, for evidence that his vulnerable admission wasn’t in vain. And as he searched I slowly unbuttoned my blouse and unclipped my nursing bra letting my large, heavy breasts free. 

His eyes widened for a brief moment before he adjusted his position to lay his head in my lap. Gently he caressed me as he lifted a nipple towards his lips and carefully wrapped them around it. Slowly he began to suckle as his eyes closed and he uttered a faint moan. His joy and fulfillment were plastered across his bliss filled face as he began to suckle ever more greedily and his hands massaged me as if he was trying to get my milk to flow faster. As he nursed I ran my fingers through his hair and closed my eyes basking in the ecstasy of two people becoming so completely one together. 

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Milk Dust

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

After giving birth to my second child, I was on the hunt for a product that would increase my milk supply in the case I felt I wasn’t producing enough. My sister in law came across Milk Dust (she also had a baby two days before me) and shared it with me. I was intrigued that I would be able to increase my supply but also lose weight safely at the same time. Plant based, non-GMO and clean are just a few reasons as to why this was the option for me. I typically will have this first thing in the morning for breakfast as my mornings are often busy juggling my two babies. It’s great with water, almond milk and I’ve tried it with coconut milk and bananas. What’s nice is that you can sample it before you commit to a full size and make sure it’s right for you. Sample here: https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1596482&u=2567450&m=100254&urllink=&afftrack= Tag me in your photo’s, I’d love to hear your feedback.

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Progress Update #5: Exploration and stress

So I skipped last week’s progress update because mostly nothing new had happened. I’m still producing between 1.5-1.75 ounces of milk per day and I suspect that that amount will not change unless I were to get myself a nursing partner. Breast pumps and hand expression are great, and I have made great progress using them. I mean in 10 weeks I went from “let’s try inducing and see if it works” to producing more than 1.5 ounces per day. That’s huge! But, there is something about having a human that you like and care about latched on to your breast that changes things. Maybe it’s their scent, or maybe it’s running your fingers through their hair as you watch their cheeks swell with your milk, or maybe it’s the physical closeness of having them up against your body while they nurse, or maybe it’s all three, but that experience clearly has an effect on the body. And I’m wondering how much more of a volume I will be able to achieve without all that. I’m still going to continue trying, and I’m hopeful that I will at least be able to maintain my current volume but I’m tempering my hopes for a liter a day for now.

That leads me to my second big news and that is that I’ve gone back to working in my office part time. I work for the government and when the pandemic hit they sent us all to work from home. That is part of how I’ve been able to achieve the progress I’ve been blessed with so far: by pumping and expressing often and regularly throughout the day. I’ve been somewhat worried about how going back to my office every other will will affect my supply, but so far my body is keeping up. I’ve been (temporarily) blessed with an office (with a door!) so that is helping, but I do notice that I forget to drink enough water at work. That’s my latest goal is to get back on track with drinking enough water.

And my final update is pretty unexpected. When I started inducing, obviously I knew that there was a sexual component of this for me. Clearly I understood that nursing another adult was a sexual act for me, and that it both made me feel sexy, but it also turned me on. What I didn’t expect was how admitting those feelings to myself would open the door to other feelings. I didn’t expect that finally being honest with myself about one desire would give me the space to be honest with myself about other desires. And it turns out little old Phoebe is a lot kinkier than previously thought. So that’s fun, and also kind of stressful, and there’s so many things I want to learn about and see, and try. This process has liberated me in ways I never could have imagined, and I’m beyond grateful for everyone who has been there along the way and encouraged me so far.

Xo

Phoebe

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Trust your instincts

A while ago I wrote about Freakling screaming in pain every night until 1.30am before finally crashing for sleep. We were waiting to see a paediatrician. Well, we saw that paediatrician, and honestly it was garbage.
We had a phone consult with a certified lactation consultant because I was sure Freakling had an upper lip tie causing issues – we were told not to worry.
We had a face to face private consultation with another certified lactation consultant which was recommended by a 3rd. We were told Freakling had a “mild tongue tie” and that they couldn’t feel what I could feel in Freaklings mouth.

I couldn’t get Freaklings top lip to flange during a feed – at all! It wasn’t physically possible.
I couldn’t put bonjela all the way along the outter gums because I would hit flesh half way along like her cheeks and gums were fused together (also known as a buccal tie).
Freaklings tongue was always white, but not like oral thrush.
I could hear Freakling clicking during feeds from day 1.
I could feel a weird tugging with every feed – but it didn’t hurt me, it just felt strange.
Freakling would scream, and cry Every. Single. Night.
Most nights panadol was needed.

The answers we would get from healthcare professionals  – Specialists!!:
“It’s just witching hour” No… Just, no.
“Your baby needs to learn how to sleep” Bullshit. My baby needs someone to help.
“Get noise cancelling headphones for yourself, you need sleep too” Bullshit! I need my baby to be out of pain.
“You need to go to a sleep school for a week stay” BULLSHIT!

My baby is in PAIN… how do I know? Because when someone stabs Freaklings thigh with a needle the painful and distressed cry is exactly the same that we get every night.

We went to the 6 month checkup with the child health nurse, after getting really upset and desperately wanting help, we got the same response “can’t feel it” as though I’m crazy and looking for something that isn’t there. Again, teach baby to sleep…

This pain and need for panadol has been going on for SIX MONTHS! And the only medical professional listening to us is our GP. Because Freakling is thriving, developing well and I’m not in pain…

Freakling and I aren’t liking breastfeeding. This feels wrong. There is something so wrong and nobody is hearing us.

… One more time…
For Freakling.
For our relationship.

Please… if someone can just LISTEN to what is happening.

Once more…

We make an appointment with a dentist with an in house Lactation consultant. They specialise in ties, they advertise it… Please be different… Please SEE our baby as a small human who deserves to be seen and helped instead of shut away in a room alone…

“Come in next Thursday morning, you’ll see the Lactation Consultant first, then the Dentist, have a chat about any options to be considered if there are ties, they can be released that day if there are any”. Okay, not long to wait, we can do this!

The day!

I’m nervous as anything, what if they won’t help either?

I’m handed a form while we wait for the Lactation Consultant:
“Does it hurt you to feed?” No
“Does baby appear in pain with their tummy?” Yes
“Is there a pulling sensation while feeding?” Yes

“Does milk leak out of baby’s mouth while feeding?” Yes!
So many questions. The occasional No, but so many Yes’s.

The Lactation Consultant looks over the list, “These answers lead more towards a Lip Tie, but you’ve been told bub has a tongue tie?”
“Yes, but I can’t do bonjela properly and I can’t get the top lip to flange at all”
“Okay, let’s have a look in bubs mouth”
Freakling is happy and smiling, playing the the Lactation  Consultant checks her tongue and bottom lip.
But when the top lip is lifted – the screaming starts. Freakling is fighting and screaming and trying to push hands away.
“I can see the gate you’re talking about, her cheeks are tied, and her upper lip is so restricted. It’s clearly painful having me check this.” She stops, tells me to cuddle Freakling while we talk.
“The tongue tie is really stretchy and shouldn’t be causing trouble, so I think we can leave that one. But the Upper Lip tie and the two cheek ties are tight and seem to be causing a lot of pain and discomfort. I’ll grab the dentist, we’ll have a chat.”

*Big breath* Someone is actually listening! Someome is seeing that this baby is NOT manipulative, this baby is asking for help!

The dentist comes in, we all talk, he advises, we agree. He needs to check so he can release the ties. Freakling screams again… But it’s quick, they know exactly how they will do this, and Freakling will be fine.
Freakling is wrapped up and taken away to another room, we will have a short wait, like 5 minutes and it will be done.

These ties are released with a laser and there are “exercises” to do to try to stop the ties reattaching during the healing process. 2 weeks and it should be all over. If there’s still trouble then we will release the tongue. Freakling shouldn’t need anything further because it looks like the right muscles are being used.

Freakling is so hungry, so once it’s over it’s time for a feed! With a swollen mouth, numb lip and experience of pain with feeding instead of comfort it is hard to get a latch! I’m trying not to cry, Freakling is so upset and we are hoping like mad that we made the right decision.

The first feed…
It feels… weird…
There’s no tugging
There’s no clicking
The letdown hits me hard!
Freaklings eyes are wide in amazement and wonder. Bright blue eyes are staring and then they ever so calmly fall closed. Asleep.
Time to heal and to rest.

The second feed
Amazing!
Flow is a bit too fast because none of the milk is falling out of the corner of Freakling’s mouth anymore.
Bright blue eyes looking up
A HUGE smile
Legs kicking in excitement!
This!
This is what I remember with Freaklet
THIS is what we are meant to feel!

At 7 months old, Freakling got 3 ties released and the change to her quality of life is Amazing!

Freakling is next level Happy! She looks forward to a feed and tries to move my top out of the way. She smiles and giggles while feeding. She does not scream in pain anymore!

I’m not being melodramatic when I say this:
If these people didn’t help and didn’t listen, I highly doubt we would still be breastfeeding because Freakling was not finding any comfort in this. But now, it is everything our instincts tell us it should be and we are all so so so grateful that they listened!

If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Now, it feels right!

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Do Lactation Supplements Really Work?

If you’re a breastfeeding mother (or even if you’re not), you’ve probably either heard, seen, or used a lactation supplement or aid of some sort.

Some examples include: lactation cookies, drinks such as teas, herbal supplements and more. But can all these things really help boost milk supply? And are they safe? Lets take a deeper look into the science and studies behind lactation supplements and aids and see…

What is a lactation “aid” or supplement?

Another word for a lactation aid or supplement is galactagogue, meaning “an agent that stimulates the secretion of milk or increases milk flow”. So – it is exactly what it sounds like, something that aids you with lactation.

Medications are sometimes used for this purpose (ie. domperidone, metoclopramide) however the general consensus is that breastfeeding/lactation counselling and adjustment of things like technique, positioning and so on, are preferred to use the of any medication. Studies are lacking in regards to the use of metoclopramide for this purpose, however the increase in milk production caused by domperidone is supported by evidence (it is not approved for this use in the USA though). There also appears to be minimal side effects from the use of domperidone in the pregnant population (they are generally mild if reported though do increase with increasing doses).

Herbal supplements are commonly used as well. These are usually given as a tea or in capsule form, however there are also other liquid formulations and “lactation cookies”. Studies on the use of these are limited. The studies that do exist on them, like with fenugreek for example, have conflicting results. One study from 2011 showed a significant increase in the production of milk, while another from 2006 did not.

In regards to both pharmaceutical and herbal galactagogues there is a definite need for further research.

Will they help me with milk production?

It’s hard to say whether or not one of these options may help you since trials and studies have shown mixed results (except for, as I mentioned, domperidone whose positive impact on milk production is generally supported by research; however, it is not a recommended first line of action).

There was a recent systematic review (however – due to the limited research, there were only 5 studies included) on the effectiveness of fenugreek – it was shown in 4 out of 5 studies to increase milk production. However, when it was compared to palm date and Coleus amboinicus it didn’t quite match up. C. amboinicus is traditionally used in Indonesia as a galactagogue – however, there is barely any research on it and the one study that does exist has conflicting conclusions. Palm dates on the other hand, have been studied more and seem to be superior to both in regards to early postpartum increase in milk supply.

As with many things – it may require some trial and error. On the behalf of scientists/people in STEM – it will also require more research.

But is it safe?

If you are prescribed pharmaceuticals, your doctor or care provider should go over the risks with you. Generally, the side effects are minimal with domperidone and there doesn’t appear to be much transfer via breast milk. Metoclopramide on the other hand (which has less evidence supporting its use for this purpose anyways) poses an increased risk for postpartum depression. There are also risks with long-term use of this drug. If either are prescribed to you, your doctor/provider will discuss any specific risks more in-depth.

In regards to the herbal supplements – fenugreek seems to be recognized by the U.S. FDA as relatively safe – as a flavouring. For medicinal purposes, it has been reported to have minor side effects such as GI upset and gas, as well as more serious side effects such as liver toxicity. Keep in mind that there are, again, limited studies on this herb. Large doses of fenugreek should be avoided because they may impact blood sugar levels. Fenugreek also interacts with the drug warfarin. An odd but not harmful adverse effect is that it causes a “maple syrup” like scent to be given off by bodily excretions such as urine and sweat.

In regards to specific products – I couldn’t find many studies. A recent study on Mother’s Milk Tea showed no adverse effects from its use over a 30-day period or in the longer term (first year of baby’s life).

It should be noted that a limitation of this study was that it couldn’t measure how effective the tea was – firstly, because the population they studied were breastfeeding (not pumping for example, where you can objectively measure the amount of milk) and secondly because the mothers using the tea actually already reported having adequate milk supply prior. So how helpful it would be to someone who actually has low supply is hard to say.

I could only find one study on lactation cookies. It was published in 2019 and looks at a biscuit made of banana flower. It showed increased milk production and other positive effects in regards to growth for the babies receiving the milk. Honestly though, the study authors concluded that their study had “proven” that banana flower could be a good galactagogue.. which rubbed me the wrong way. How can they be so sure of their results after only one study on their specific topic and such a small sample size (<60 women)? It doesn’t mean their conclusion is wrong, but it makes me want to demand more research.

With all herbal supplements – one must keep in mind that those who make them do not have to jump through as many hoops to sell them as pharmaceutical companies. This means that herbal supplements may have different amounts of active ingredients than labelled, and that each brand selling the same supplement may not truly be selling the same product in regards to its safety. Just something to keep in mind.

Conclusion regarding safety: it’s hard to say. There aren’t many studies and herbal products aren’t regulated. Although certain herbs can be safe in certain quantities, you can’t be sure how much is in the product you are taking. My advice is if you want to pursue a certain herbal remedy for lactation, speak to your provider or a IBCLC (lactation consultant) first. You should also always let your provider know that you are taking any herbal supplements or vitamins and what they are – because as I mentioned with fenugreek above, they can interact with prescribed medications.

What can I do if I’m having milk supply issues?

Low milk supply is often the reason that women stop breastfeeding – so if you suspect you’re having issues with supply, you should (I feel like a broken record as usual) speak to your primary care provider.

They may have suggestions for you such as having baby go to breast more frequently or pumping to increase supply. You may be having issues with baby latching, or poor positioning during feeding – these can all impact supply (as if baby is not eating properly, those signals to produce more milk aren’t going to be happening inside your body). There could also be other things going on in your body that are impacting supply – even stress.

After an assessment your provider or an IBCLC will be able to counsel you on recommendations to increase supply, or help you with any other breastfeeding challenges you may have. Breastfeeding is not always (or even usually) easy. It comes with a lot of mental and physical challenges. So don’t feel too discouraged if you’re having issues – if you want to continue to pursue it (keyword: want), then there are supports available to help you achieve this. You just have to know what/who they are (your provider, an IBCLC, there are often breastfeeding clinics, public health nurses, etc.), and how to access them (ask for resources from your care provider/maternal care provider).

The internet is an excellent tool however you need to know how to use it to find reliable information. Sharing experiences with other moms is so valuable as support method, and can even be used for informational purposes (like daycare recommendations for example) but it shouldn’t be your first resource for health information. That is the role of your care provider – that’s why it is important to find one you trust and can rely on.

Your internet friend didn’t attend medical school, nursing school, or do 1000+ additional hours of breastfeeding counselling and 90+ hrs of additional breastfeeding education (or other types of schooling that would make them qualified to provide you with health-related recommendations).

“Oh but it’s just an herbal supplement!” – no! FYI: Herbal supplements have risks too.

You can still consume too much of an herb. Even very common herbs (like ones we use frequently in cooking) can have medication interactions or adverse effects if taken with other medications, or by people with certain conditions.

Someone on the internet doesn’t know your health history – so before taking anything, you should speak to a knowledgeable resource like your doctor, pharmacist, nurse/nurse practitioner, IBCLC (when it’s breastfeeding related), etc. It’s true that some providers don’t have all of the knowledge about herbs – and that’s because there is limited data on them. Ask for resources in that case where you can find more information for yourself, or speak to a pharmacist – they are so knowledgeable and (I find) sometimes overlooked in regards to their ability to provide you with answers. If you believe your provider is not providing you with info because of their beliefs (as in – they say no herbal supplements without giving you an explanation/evidence as to why not) – seek a care provider that is better matched to you.

I have listed some breastfeeding resources here, however this should not be your first resource – book an appointment to see (or “see” virtually) your care provider and discuss your concerns with them. You can work on a solution together – it doesn’t mean that use of herbs is out of the question, but that it should be carefully considered and discussed in order to make sure it is a safe decision for you (and your baby).

It is important to remember that aids like this (medicinal or herbal) should come second to lactation counselling/breastfeeding support. This is the gold standard for helping moms with any breastfeeding struggles, including those related to supply!

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Progress Update #4: On the loneliness of ANR

Things have been going well since my last progress update. I’m not producing a solid 1.5 ounces per day and it only seems to be increasing. I’ve also been getting more out with just the pump and relying on hand expression less. I still do a lot of hand expression, though, mostly just to be sure that I’m as empty as physically possible to encourage increased milk production. I’m really hopeful about how steadily my milk volume is increasing. Maybe someday my dream of lots of milk will occur!

One thing I did not expect when I started this journey was how strong the need to nurse another person would be; how ingrained and instinctual that urge was. I knew when I started out that I wanted to nurse someone. There were times when I tried to play down how big a part of this journey that was for me, but let’s be real, I was just kidding myself. As time has gone on though, that interest in nursing another person has only increased. This has been somewhat complicated by the fact that my spouse is definitely not into ANR. We tried, but her heart wasn’t into it, so I’m not going to force her. But that does leave me wondering: where will this journey take me? I love my wife, and I can’t imagine my life without her, but I also know what I feel inside, and a life without ever nursing someone seems so grey and unfulfilling. I don’t really know what to think or do about this situation, so I just try to avoid worrying about it most days. I choose to focus on my successes and stay positive about my journey toward lactation. But there are times where that longing does weigh heavily on my soul. There are days when it feels as though I might burst if I don’t get to nurture another soul with my breasts.

I’m working on a post about hand expression to be published later this week. I’ll try to include lots of links to videos on the proper technique!

Xo

Phoebe

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A (Very Belated) Progress Update #3

This progress update is a couple days late, and I’ll hope you’ll forgive me for that cause it’s pretty juicy!

First let’s talk about pumping! I’ve been pumping a LOT. Often I’ll pump 6+ times a day, and it’s finally starting to show! I produce more than an ounce a day now (at only 6 weeks of pumping) and it appears to be steadily increasing. I could not be more excited to see my volume increasing. I think my daily oatmeal is really helping. Late last week I tried getting up for a 2 AM pumping and it was such a fiasco I’ve decided not to worry about night time pumping sessions for the time being. My spouse and I live in a VERY TINY house (530sq ft if you’re curious) and it’s mostly one large room, so getting up and pumping without waking my spouse was a feat in an of itself. (I managed though!) But then I couldn’t get back to sleep after sitting up to pump for 30 minutes and scrolling the internet. So, I laid awake staring at the ceiling for hours. I was so spent the next day it was just awful. I do still wonder if getting up to pump in the night could be worth it, but I just don’t know if I’ll be able to swing that anytime in the near future. I think if you are someone who has a spouse or partner you live with who is helping you induce through suckling that getting up for a 2 AM suckling session could be much easier and you would probably go back to sleep easier than getting up to pump at 2 AM.

Now lets talk about my breasts. They’re still getting larger, and every couple days I take a picture to compare and track my progress. At this point the increase in size is more that I am filling out in the upper part of my breasts near my chest wall and my nipples have gotten slightly larger. It’s very exciting to still be seeing changes like this because it tells me my hard work is paying off. Speaking of my hard work paying off, I’ve also started leaking. I don’t leak a lot, just a drop or two here or there, but it’s happening more and more. I get cold, I leak. Too warm? I leak. Turned on? Leaking. Brush up against something? Leak. I think I’m on the edge of another big volume increase and that’s why I’m leaking so much this week. Either that or it’s just been a real exciting few days…

Which leads me to my final update for this week: I told my best friend that I’m into ANR!

Yep, I took the plunge and just went for it. She’s been my best friend for a decade and I pretty much share everything with her, so it felt really weird and alienating to not be able to mention ANR in our conversations. I was absolutely terrified. I mean, I’ve met people whose long time spouses have DIVORCED THEM because they wanted an ANR, so I was really afraid she’d shun me or think I was weird. Boy was I wrong! No only had she heard of ANR before but she admitted to me that a couple years ago she was fascinated by it and had read up on a lot of the ANR subreddit about it. She is so chill! How did I get so lucky? Not only did I tell my best friend about my kink, but she doesn’t think I’m a freak for having it and is fascinated by it?! Honestly I’m still a little bit in shock.

Anyway, that’s all I have for this week! Hope everyone is doing well. I’ve got some more cool stuff planned soon. Anyone have any interest in ANR erotic fiction? If so, let me know! Maybe I’ll post some of mine here.

Xo

Phoebe

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The Nothing Exists Radio Hour S3E22: Kristi Prince (Naturopathic health and breastfeeding)

Check out my conversation with Dr. Kristi Prince!

We talk all about Kristi’s experience working as a naturopathic doctor and lactation consultant!

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Supplements: a Complete guide

Today I’d like to talk about supplements. I’m sure you’re probably familiar with at least a couple foods or herbs that people claim to be galactagogues, but did you know that there are literally dozens of foods and herbs that fall in to that category? Or that some of those galactagogues can actually hinder your induced lactation journey if taken at the wrong time in the process? What galactagogues are unsafe for diabetics? Which ones help you build mammary tissue? We’re going to answer those questions and more today, so grab a beverage, strap on your breast pump and let’s get to figuring out those supplements!

Alfalfa

This plant is a common member of the pea family and has long been thought to help increase milk supply. Alfalfa contains phytoestrogens which are a compound found in plants that mimics the estrogen in the human body. Because phytoestrogens mimic estrogen, the body uses them like estrogen thus encouraging certain bodily functions like making breastmilk. Phytoestrogens are good for improving female reproductive health functions in general. By far the best way to get more alfalfa in your diet is to add sprouted alfalfa seeds to foods you already eat like salads and sandwiches. You can even sprout your own alfalfa seeds in a mason jar on your counter at home in under a week or two.

Anise

Anise seeds come from the anise plant which is originally from the Mediterranean. Anise is also a source of phytoestrogens. Generally one gets more anise in their diet by drinking lactation teas that contain anise seeds. One word of caution about anise, it does taste strongly of licorice and that taste (and smell) can come across in your milk if you consume enough of it. So if your partner isn’t a big black licorice fan this might not be the galactagogue for you.

Blessed Thistle

Originally from Europe and the Mediterranean this plant is now considered a weed in North America. Blessed Thistle is believed to stimulate the production of prolactin and oxytocin in the body thus increasing one’s milk supply. While there are no studies that currently support this assertion, there are also no studies that disprove it. Mostly the studies that have been done are disqualified because they don’t meet the basic criteria for a good scientific study (mostly because they are too small of a study or don’t have correct double blind status or enough randomization of the various test groups). The most common way that people take Blessed Thistle is by taking capsules of it or drinking lactation teas that contain it.

Brewer’s Yeast

This galactagogue is a byproduct of the beer making process and is often used in recipes to help boost your milk supply. It is often touted as a super food for lactating mothers because it is packed with vitamins, minerals, a highly digestible form of protein, as well as key amino acids and chromium. Brewers Yeast does not directly affect lactation the way Blessed Thistle or Anise do, but it is good to help replenish key nutrients that are lost while the body makes milk. It is also considered a great mood and energy booster. Most commonly people add it to recipes and shakes as a way to consume more of it, but you can also find it in capsule form. It has the reputation of being bitter so look for Brewer’s Yeast powder that has reduced bitterness and pair it with recipes that have strong flavor profiles like berry smoothies and chocolate chip cookies.

Electrolytes

This was a tip I got from a young mother’s video about her journey exclusively pumping for her new baby. Apparently the baby had something wrong with it’s mouth and couldn’t latch so she had to pump and through trial and error eventually found a pumping and supplement schedule where she was able to pump over 1,000mL per day of milk. She found that one of the things that really helped her keep that number so high was drinking enough electrolytes. At first I was skeptical, but after some research I found that drinking electrolytes can help you replace what is lost when making breast milk thus making it easier for your body to make yet more milk. But before you go out and buy a carload’s worth of gatorade or Powerade, know that those two beverages rely heavily on only one type of electrolyte: salt. If you want to get the benefits of adding electrolytes make sure that you purchase a beverage with several different kinds of mineral electrolytes in it. The electrolyte powder I used is from a company called Ultima Replenisher and it contains all 6 of the electrolytes(as well as yummy flavors!). I try to get 16 ounces per day of electrolyte based beverage on top of my daily water intake. You really don’t need as much as an athelete would need after strenuous competition, but a pint has been definitely helping me.

Fennel

A herb commonly used in cooking, Fennel is a member of the carrot family that is found to have good quantities of phytoestrogens in it. Most people either increase the amount of fennel in their diet by eating foods that are seasoned with it or using capsules of fennel. Sometimes lactation teas will also have Fennel in them.

Fenugreek

By far the most well known of the major galactagogues, Fenugreek is herb native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean as well as parts of Southern Asia. It is by far the easiest of the galactagogue supplements to find in pill form as it is readily available at most local pharmacies. Fenugreek is high in phytoestrogens as well as a compound called diosgenin which has been shown to increase milk flow. Fenugreek is prized for how quickly it can work often showing increases in the milk flow within 24-72 hours. However, because of how Fenugreek works in the body it should really only be taken by individuals with a WELL ESTABLISHED milk supply who just desire more milk. If taken before the milk supply is well established it can actually hinder milk production. Also, Fenugreek is known to lower blood glucose levels and so may not be right for those with diabetes as it can cause unsafe low blood sugar levels. Most commonly Fenugreek is found in capsule form, but it can also be found in lactation teas and tinctures. It is well known for smelling heavily of maple syrup, and that is actually how you know if you are taking enough Fenugreek: when your sweat and urine start to smell sweet and maple syrup like then you know you’re on the right dose.

Goat’s Rue

Originally used in Europe and the middle ease to boost milk supply in goats and cows, today Goat’s Rue is widely viewed as a top galactagogue, especially for people who have had breast surgery or have PCOS. Goat’s Rue is known to help the body build more breast tissue and thus increase milk supply by increasing storage space in the breast. This supplement is best used in the early stages of induction to help your breast tissue develop, but can be used throughout the lactation process to help increase milk supply. Most commonly Goat’s Rue is found in tinctures and capsules intended for lactation support.

Beer

Yes you heard me right! Beer! But it has to be specific kind of beer, namely dark, stout, beers that are high in hops and barley. Beers like that are high in a polysaccharide from the hops and barley that can help increase prolactin levels in the brain. So more is better, right? Wrong. It is found that a single dark beer a day can help boost milk supply, but much more than that doesn’t make that increase dramatically bigger.

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root is a relatively recent addition to the galactagogue family only within the last few hundred years being used to increase milk supply. It works because it contains phytoestrogens to increase the milk supply. It is best used in conjunction with other galactagogues which is why you will most commonly see it as part of lactation teas or tinctures that contain other galactagogues.

Milk Thistle

While often confused with Blessed Thistle, Milk Thistle is it’s own plant with it’s own benefits. Long used for help with lactation, some random tests are now showing promising results that Milk Thistle may help increase prolactin levels. However, Milk Thistle is considered to be a strong liver cleanser and it can pass through your milk to your partner. If this is a concern to you it would be best to avoid Milk Thistle. The most common ways to consume Milk Thistle is in capsules or by drinking lactation teas that contain it.

Moringa/Malunggay

This plant native to Asia and Africa has been used for millennia to increase milk supply. It is high in iron, calcium, and vitamins A, E, and K as well as being a great source of fiber and antioxidants. All of those things are necessary in the production of breast milk. Some women even claim that Moringa can double your milk supply, although that claim is based on their subjective uses of Moringa. Most commonly you will find Moringa leaves ground into a powder that is either used in the production of cookies and bars, or is blended into a tea much like Matcha.

Stinging Nettle

This is a dark leafy vegetable is highly nutritious and contains high levels of iron, calcium, potassium, folic acid, as well as several vitamins and amino acids. All of these nutrients are essential for the human body and are rapidly depleted when you’re lactating. Stinging Nettle can be useful in making sure you have enough to always have a good supply. Most commonly Stinging Nettle is taken through pill form or in lactation teas that contain it. It is best taken in conjunction with other galactagogues.

Oats

By far the easiest galactagogue to get your hands on, oatmeal has been used for centuries to help women increase their milk supply. Oatmeal is high in proteins, vitamins (especially B vitamins), and minerals such as iron, zinc, manganese, and calcium. It is also an excellent source of soluble fiber. In addition to all those nutritional benefits oats also contain phytoestrogens, as well as saponins and beta-glucan which can help increase prolactin levels. If you’re thinking to yourself but I don’t like oatmeal, have no fear you can try oatmeal teas, or try sneaking oatmeal into your favorite cookie recipe. I also put out an oatmeal lactation cookie recipe if you need one to try!

Shatavari

Also known as wild asparagus this plant is native to the Indian subcontinent. Known for centuries to increase milk supply it has only recently been discovered to increase prolactin levels. Many women claim that it can double their milk production. It also contains compounds found to contain breast size and weight. On top of all that Shatavari is high in antioxidants, and is good for your digestive health. Much like Moringa, Shatavari is considered best if consumed in a powder form mixed into a tea like matcha, however you can get shatavari in capsule and tincture form.

This has been a long one and if you’re reading this I commend you for getting all the way to the bottom! If there are any galactagogues I’ve missed let me know and maybe we can do a part 2!

Xo

Phoebe

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Traditional foods to include in your diet as a lactating mother

If you thought popping out a baby would end the problems associated with your pregnant body, you were possibly right. But if you thought it will end ALL your health problems, you were not quite right.

If you’re a new mom and breastfeeding your child, you might have realized by now that the journey is not easy! While your uterus is getting back in shape (until 6 weeks postpartum), you’re feeling an increased demand in resources for feeding a human life every couple of hours. Not getting enough sleep at a stretch impacts the milk supply further. One question that frequents a new mom’s mind is, am I making enough milk for my baby? And then you hear a friend is successfully breastfeeding their child for up to two years, one feels de-motivated and almost disappointed in themselves.

I am here to assure you that you’re not alone. Each one of us has had their fair share of problems with breastfeeding – some couldn’t make the baby latch properly causing acute pain in nipples, some of us couldn’t produce enough milk and did start or thought about starting the formula milk as a supplement or some of us simply didn’t have enough strength to hold the baby every couple of hours to make them feed for another 60 minutes.

In this post, I am sharing traditional age-old food wisdom from the country of my origin (India) which has not only helped me and women in my family in their breastfeeding journey but also played a great role in healing the bodies postpartum.

1. Water: This is recommended by doctors too. Breast milk is more than 80% water so feeding a child every two hours can dehydrate your body. So, it’s natural that your intake of water should be maintained at least 8-10 glasses of water a day to keep up with the demand for breast milk
2. Ghee: If you haven’t heard of this, you might be familiar with the closest equivalent of this , the Clarified butter. There are stark differences in how they are made and eventually the nutritional value they deliver. You can have a read here to know more about the differences. Coming back to ghee. Although intake of this calorie dense food in excessive amounts can lead to obesity or cholesterol problems, the health benefits associated with 1-2 tbsp. daily intake of this super food outweigh any side-effects that it might otherwise have. Ghee is not only a rich source of antioxidant but also relieves constipation and acidity, common conditions during first few weeks after delivery. Ghee is essential for the body to absorb Vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin essential to boost bone health and tooth health
3. Cumin: These iron rich seeds are supposed to stimulate breast milk production. Not only are these seeds flavorful but help relieve gastric problems. You can simply add roasted cumin seeds into any dish or simply have a glass full of water with cumin seeds as the first thing and you can expect to see a boost in your milk-production
4. Fennel seeds: Fennel seeds are supposed to relieve the problem of colic in babies. When a mother intakes a limited amount of these, the benefits are passed onto the baby through the breast milk. You can simply boil about 1-2 tsp. fennel seeds in 1 liter water and drink that water through the day. This will greatly help in reducing bloating after the delivery
5. Pulses or/and eggs: High protein diet including at least one of the two food groups is essential to keep up with the rapid growth of the baby. I used to have a boiled egg as the first meal of the day to get started with the breastfeeding marathon (Ha-ha!) . If you’re a vegan , the protein rich pulses are a must in your diet each day.
6. Nuts and dried fruits: The power packed food should be your go-to snack when you feel strong hunger pangs while feeding the baby in the middle of the night. They not only are rich in fiber, protein and iron but also provide body with essential micronutrients which the body gets depleted of during childbirth.
7. Jaggery: Most of us are aware that having white sugar is detrimental to our health. However, one might feel like eating something sweet once in a while. Organic jaggery (in cube or in powdered form) is a healthier alternative to having chocolates and cakes which are empty calories. Jaggery is known to aid in supply of breast milk too.
8. Carom seeds: Popping a baby out comes with its own fair share of problems for the female body, at least in the initial few weeks. Having gas and acidity is one of the common ones. Carom seeds is one of the best solution for these. Just boil a large quantity of water and add 1 tbsp. of carom seeds and sip the filtered water throughout the day to relieve yourself of the pain.

Wondering how to consume the above food items regularly?

I am sharing recipes of a few Concoctions that include one or more ingredients from above list and provide all the goodness that’s needed during lactation. These are commonly given to lactating mother in Indian households, especially during the first 6 weeks after delivery. They are rich in essential nutrients and good in taste too.

1. Jaggery (gur) and Cumin (jeera): When my mother first made this for me and said that this increases the supply of breastmilk, I honestly thought that it was a fad prevalent in the older generations. I still had it as I have a sweet tooth and used to eat one tbsp of this as a dessert. Now I am not a 100% sure if it was this or a combination of factors, but I did experience an increase in supply of breastmilk with regular intake of this magic potion. If you want to give this a try, this only takes a couple of minutes and you can have it till a few days later.
2. In a wok, warm a little bit of clarified butter or ghee
3. Add a few tbsp. of cumin seeds and stir until they are crackling but don’t burn
4. Add powdered jaggery to above and stir continuously
5. Turn off the flame when jaggery has melted
6. This tastes amazing when hot but you can store it and have a tbsp. of it after meals or whenever you like, a couple of times in a day

• Carrom seeds (ajwain) and fennel seeds (saunf) water: Instead of drinking normal water, sip this water throughout the day and you’ll watch your bloated stomach go away easily. You might not like the taste of it in the beginning but you’ll get used to drinking this flavoured water
  1. In large saucepan add water and turn on the gas
  2. Add both the ingredients and bring water to a boil
  3. Let this boil for 5 minutes until the water absorbs all the flavours and goodness
  4. Let this cool and use a strainer to pour filtered water into container of your choice
  5. It’s good to drink this warm but ok to have at room temperature

• Panjeeri: Now I don’t know the equivalent word for this dish in English nor do I know how to make this myself but I did enjoy eating this for a good 3 months until after my delivery. Making panjeeri involves a long cooking process but this is truly worth it in terms of nutrition it provides, the taste and of course the long shelf-life without adding any preservatives to it. Having a small bowl of this would be a meal in itself. If you’re looking after baby and yourself alone, have this ready by your bedside in case you can’t get up to cook your meals. Of all the recipes that I have seen, I liked the one I share below the best

Panjeeri – Postpartum Healing and Lactation Recipe

The recipes I share above can work wonders both post vaginal and c-sec deliveries but do check with your healthcare provider if you have not had these ingredients in your life before or you think you might be allergic to these.

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