During Pregnancy
* Herbal Teas:
Nettle, oatstraw, alfalfa, red raspberry leaves, red clover blossoms.
MMM mentions to mix equal amounts of each herb (with slightly more of alfafa and red raspberry leaves), and steep one handful of the mixture into 1 quart of boiling water for at least 10 min and drink it throughout the day.
Some moms also add a bit of goat's rue and fennel. Fennel should not be used in large quantities as it can be a uterine stimulant.
*Progesterone Supplementation:
For those with IGT, natural progesterone supplementation (oral, injection, cream) early in the pregnancy and continued throughout the pregnancy might help with breast tissue growth.
*Goat's Rue:
Goat's rue can be taken during the last month as it helps promote breast growth (See http://www.lowmilksupply.org/goatsrue.shtml for dosage information).
*Shatavari or Mallunggay:
Shatavari or malunggay (Go-Lacta) can be taken during the last trimester. Mothers who have taken it often reported to have more milk for their baby (See http://www.lowmilksupply.org/shatavari.shtml for dosage information of Shatavari).
*Fish Oil:
Fish oil seems to help with energy levels during pregnancy and will increase the fat content in breastmilk.
*Hand Expression of Colostrum:
If you have a history of low supply, you can start expressing colostrum after the 34th week of pregnancy. MMM says to express colostrum in a spoon and then draw it up in a small syringe. The same syringe can be reused for 48 hours (and refrigerated in the meantime). After 48 hours, you should place the syringe in an air-tight plastic bag and freeze it. MMM mentions that in some cultures it is believed that expressing colostrums prior to the birth brings in more milk!
*Dry Period prior to the Birth:
MMM mentions that the dairy industry has noticed that a dry period at the end of the cows' pregnancy helps bring in more milk, compared to cows who keep "nursing" throughout their entire pregnancy. Dr. Hartmann suggests that mothers who are concerned about this offer just one breast to their current child during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Nettle, oatstraw, alfalfa, red raspberry leaves, red clover blossoms.
MMM mentions to mix equal amounts of each herb (with slightly more of alfafa and red raspberry leaves), and steep one handful of the mixture into 1 quart of boiling water for at least 10 min and drink it throughout the day.
Some moms also add a bit of goat's rue and fennel. Fennel should not be used in large quantities as it can be a uterine stimulant.
*Progesterone Supplementation:
For those with IGT, natural progesterone supplementation (oral, injection, cream) early in the pregnancy and continued throughout the pregnancy might help with breast tissue growth.
*Goat's Rue:
Goat's rue can be taken during the last month as it helps promote breast growth (See http://www.lowmilksupply.org/goatsrue.shtml for dosage information).
*Shatavari or Mallunggay:
Shatavari or malunggay (Go-Lacta) can be taken during the last trimester. Mothers who have taken it often reported to have more milk for their baby (See http://www.lowmilksupply.org/shatavari.shtml for dosage information of Shatavari).
*Fish Oil:
Fish oil seems to help with energy levels during pregnancy and will increase the fat content in breastmilk.
*Hand Expression of Colostrum:
If you have a history of low supply, you can start expressing colostrum after the 34th week of pregnancy. MMM says to express colostrum in a spoon and then draw it up in a small syringe. The same syringe can be reused for 48 hours (and refrigerated in the meantime). After 48 hours, you should place the syringe in an air-tight plastic bag and freeze it. MMM mentions that in some cultures it is believed that expressing colostrums prior to the birth brings in more milk!
*Dry Period prior to the Birth:
MMM mentions that the dairy industry has noticed that a dry period at the end of the cows' pregnancy helps bring in more milk, compared to cows who keep "nursing" throughout their entire pregnancy. Dr. Hartmann suggests that mothers who are concerned about this offer just one breast to their current child during the last trimester of pregnancy.
After the Birth
*Placenta Encapsulation
Placenta encapsulation after birth has helped mother produce more milk and is also a very good remedy against post partum depression.
Recipe proposed by Michelle (bielickiflutes@gmail.com), one of the MOBI moms:
Placenta encapsulation after birth has helped mother produce more milk and is also a very good remedy against post partum depression.
Recipe proposed by Michelle (bielickiflutes@gmail.com), one of the MOBI moms:
How to Prepare Placenta Capsules
*Rinse placenta well. Cut off obvious clots, calcification, cord and membrane. Cutting off the membrane helps it not foam when it is steamed.
*Steam in a steamer basket or instead, on top of a bed of sliced lemon. FYI, you will probably want to throw out the steamer basket afterward unless you want to spend a lot of time cleaning. For this reason, the bed of lemon slices is genius (to another encapsulator's credit!). Steam along with lemon, ginger and jalapeno.
*Once steamed, slice into thin strips. Lay strips out onto cookie sheet and bake in oven on lowest setting until completely dry. They will be REALLY hard.
*Next, crush/grind and encapsulate. I like a coffee grinder best for grinding. Makes about 100-150, 00 size capsules. Standard recommendation is to take 2-3 capsules 2x a day, or as needed.
*Nurse Often:
After the birth, it is important to keep the baby skin to skin, nurse him often and eventually pump for extra stimulation.
*Tongue/Lip Tie:
Have the baby check for tongue tie and lip tie right after birth. Check Dr. Kotlow’s website for more information on tongue tie and lip tie: http://www.kiddsteeth.com/articles.html
*Domperidone:
Some moms had great success with starting 90mg per day of domperidone right after the delivery. However starting domperidone so early can lead to oversupply which can in turn damage breast tissue.
More information can be found on Dr. Newman website:
http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Domperidone%20Getting%20Started.asp
*Lactogenic Food/Herbal Teas:
Eat a lot of lactogenic foods such as oatmeal, green leafy vegetables etc.. and continue with herbal teas.
After the birth additional herbs can be taken such as hops flower, fenugreek, blessed thistle, marshmallow root, etc..
Check the book “Motherfood” by Hilary Jacobson for an extensive list of lactogenic foods
*At-Breast Supplementation:
If you need to supplement your baby with donated breastmilk or formula, it is better to supplement at the breast using a SNS (http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breastfeeding-devices/51/supplemental-nursing-system-sns) or a Lact-aid (http://www.lact-aid.com/), rather than a bottle.
See handout from Dr. Jack Newman for more details:
http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Lactation%20Aid.asp
And a video here:
http://www.drjacknewman.com/video/inserting%20a%20lactation%20aid-1.wmv
NB: MMM stands for "Making More Milk", a book written by Diana West and Lisa Marasco which contains a lot of resources on low milk supply and its causes.
After the birth, it is important to keep the baby skin to skin, nurse him often and eventually pump for extra stimulation.
*Tongue/Lip Tie:
Have the baby check for tongue tie and lip tie right after birth. Check Dr. Kotlow’s website for more information on tongue tie and lip tie: http://www.kiddsteeth.com/articles.html
*Domperidone:
Some moms had great success with starting 90mg per day of domperidone right after the delivery. However starting domperidone so early can lead to oversupply which can in turn damage breast tissue.
More information can be found on Dr. Newman website:
http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Domperidone%20Getting%20Started.asp
*Lactogenic Food/Herbal Teas:
Eat a lot of lactogenic foods such as oatmeal, green leafy vegetables etc.. and continue with herbal teas.
After the birth additional herbs can be taken such as hops flower, fenugreek, blessed thistle, marshmallow root, etc..
Check the book “Motherfood” by Hilary Jacobson for an extensive list of lactogenic foods
*At-Breast Supplementation:
If you need to supplement your baby with donated breastmilk or formula, it is better to supplement at the breast using a SNS (http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breastfeeding-devices/51/supplemental-nursing-system-sns) or a Lact-aid (http://www.lact-aid.com/), rather than a bottle.
See handout from Dr. Jack Newman for more details:
http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Lactation%20Aid.asp
And a video here:
http://www.drjacknewman.com/video/inserting%20a%20lactation%20aid-1.wmv
NB: MMM stands for "Making More Milk", a book written by Diana West and Lisa Marasco which contains a lot of resources on low milk supply and its causes.
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