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5 Herbs That Can Increase Breast Milk | Hea Boosters


Even before your little one is born, everyone around you suggests breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding can be a wonderful way for you and your baby to bond. While there are several benefits for your baby, there are benefits of breastfeeding for you too. For the first six months, nursing your baby is one way of ensuring that they are protected from various illnesses, helps in proper neurological development, and reduces the risk of having respiratory issues.

 

a woman breastfeeding her baby

Moreover, you don’t need to stop breastfeeding your child once they have started eating solid food, you can continue to breastfeed your baby for the next six months along with proper food to ensure they are getting complete nutrition. However, if you have problems like producing enough milk or the flow of milk, then below we have listed five natural herbs that can help increase breast milk.

5 herbs to increase breastmilk:

1. Shatavari:

An Ayurvedic herb, which has been used for centuries by women to battle lactation issues. Galactagogue properties of this herb help in increasing hormones like prolactin and corticoids, which are essential in enhancing breast milk production.

How to use:

You can make herbal tea using Shatavari or you can also buy Shatavari supplements that help in increasing breastmilk. No matter which form you consume this herb, it works effectively in increasing breast milk supply.

2. Fennel Seeds:

Fennel seeds are considered one of the most common and useful herbs that are consumed by women worldwide. Fennel seeds contain phytoestrogens, which are essential for increasing breast milk supply, which makes it one of the best natural supplements for increasing the milk supply. It also helps in improving digestive health, blood pressure, and reduces asthma and other respiratory ailments.

How to use:

Steep one spoon of fennel seeds in hot water with one spoon of honey (optional). You can consume this concoction a couple of times throughout the day or you can simply chew on a spoonful of roasted fennel seeds whenever you remember.

3. Torbagun Leaves:

Another herb that is recommended to nursing mothers who are struggling with low breast milk production This herb has been used for almost ten decades for improving lactation in breastfeeding mothers in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

How to use:

Steep half a teaspoon of these leaves in boiling water. It can also be added to your food items and consumed regularly.

4. Fenugreek Seeds:

Another important ingredient that is generally used in Indian kitchens is fenugreek seeds. It is considered a miraculous herb when it comes to increasing milk production in nursing mothers. It contains enzymes like diosgenin and phytoestrogen, which work wonderfully in replicating breast milk-producing hormones.

How to use:

Boil a teaspoon of seeds along with a pinch of turmeric. To this add a teaspoonful of honey. You can drink this tea at least a couple of times throughout the day.

5. Milk Thistle:

This flowering herb contains estrogen, which is very helpful in improving lactation issues as well as enhancing breast milk supply in nursing mothers.

How to use:

Milk thistle is easily available in the market in the form of capsules. You can take 2 to 3 capsules a day. If you prefer the most natural form, then you can make tea using milk thistle. Just steep 1/2 teaspoon of milk thistle in boiling water for 20 minutes and consume this tea 2-3 times a day.

Breastfeeding is a personal decision: 

The choice to breastfeed or not is your decision as a mother. It is normal if you have any doubts whether you can continue breastfeeding for a longer time or not, do not feel embarrassed or worried. Do thorough research, educate yourself with as much information as possible, and seek out help from experts and other mother friends, who can clear your doubt.

Every mom should make the decision to breastfeed their baby or not based on their conditions, physical and mental well-being, or whether they are producing enough milk.

Medical advantages of breastfeeding for babies:

Breast milk gives all the sustenance your child needs during the initial years. It is rich in vitamins and nutrients that builds your child’s immunity, decreases allergies if any, and keeps away other ailments. Various studies have shown that breastfed children have lower chances of:

Seasonal and general allergies: 
  • Asthma
  • Chest and Ear contaminations
  • Bowel issues
  • Dermatitis
  • Leukemia (in the adolescent age)
  • Overweight (during adolescence)
  • Type 2 diabetes
Medical advantages of breastfeeding for mothers:

Breastfeeding can be beneficial for a mother too. Not only does it help you burn sound 300-500 calories but also helps you bond better with your child. Also, for moms, breastfeeding reduce the risks of:
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Fewer chances of breast cancer
  • Or ovarian cancer
  • Osteoporosis

Conclusion:

Breastfeeding your child can be one of the most beautiful periods of motherhood. It helps both the mother and her baby to bond and has several physical benefits too. Initially, all mothers need some time to figure out what is useful for their baby, like which latching position helps or whether pumping out breast milk is more beneficial. Also, a few mothers may not naturally have a steady flow of milk. A lot of it depends on their lifestyle too, however, the herbs mentioned above can help with the flow and quality of your breast milk.

 

Studies:

Relation between breastfeeding and bonding:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3916850

Benefits of breastfeeding:
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/breastfeeding/conditioninfo/benefits

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