We know that new moms have a lot on their plates, and the desire to produce adequate breast milk to feed their new babies can be a big concern, especially if they are experiencing challenges. Adding stress on top of sleep loss and learning the ropes of new motherhood can make this even more challenging. Luckily, there are several natural supports to help increase milk production and support mom on her new journey.

Ways to Support Yourself Postpartum

Whether you’re struggling with breastfeeding, or just in general, there are a number of interventions you can enlist for support.

• Reaching out for support from a Certified Lactation Consultant is always a great option. Breastfeeding technique and other physiological factors, like a tongue or lip tie, can significantly impact breast milk production.
• Ensure that you’re properly hydrating your body and eating a well-balanced diet. This will keep your energy up and your body in a position to perform and produce the best it can.
• Reduce your schedule and additional stressors for the time being. Focus right now on nourishing your body, your baby’s body, and getting into a rhythm together.
• The Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation recommends incorporating oatmeal into your diet daily, as well as garlic or ginger, in moderation.
• Try herbal supplements to support lactation. If oral capsules are hard to remember, or just not for you, try taking them as a steeped herbal tea or as a tincture. Supportive herbs to look into include fenugreek, blessed thistle, goats rue, moringa, and fennel.

Herbal Supplements for Milk Production

Fenugreek and blessed thistle are part of the top-mentioned herbal supports for milk production. Both herbs have been used for centuries and are traditionally used to support breast milk production.

Fenugreek is one of the oldest known medicinal plants, probably because of its incredible versatility. It contains many powerful properties that can stimulate appetite, support digestion, and help balance blood sugar.

Blessed thistle, also known as holy thistle, is another. It has both sweet and bitter qualities to it, as well as being a cooling herb. Traditionally, it has been used in herbal medicine as a digestive tonic to help increase appetite and improve digestion. It is a common gynecological herb–not to be confused with milk thistle, which is a similar relative.

Not only do these powerful herbs work synergistically to support breast milk production, but they also work to promote healthy blood glucose levels, as well as help in lowering cholesterol levels. This is of benefit not only to new moms, but anyone looking to monitor blood sugar or cholesterol. 

Finding a High Quality Herbal Support

If you choose to take it in capsule form, for simplicity and efficacy sake, the most potent supplements on the market will contain concentrated extracts of each herbal component. While fenugreek and blessed thistle are both strong on their own, they work even better when used together, and an increase in production can be seen in as quickly as 12-24 hours, according to the Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation.

Combining these two herbs into a lactation supportive formula is not only a targeted approach, but is also rich in saponins, vitamins and minerals that help to nourish new mothers. After childbirth is a time to attend to your health as much as your newborn’s, so you can recover from the journey your body has been on for the last nine months.

Introducing Health First Nursing Aid

Health First Nursing Aid is made with all of this in mind. It is a concentrated 5:1 extract of organic fenugreek and organic blessed thistle. It contains 425 mg of concentrated extract of fenugreek (equivalent to 2,125 mg) and 75 mg of concentrated extract of blessed thistle (equivalent to 375 mg) per capsule. Together, as potent herbal galactagogues, fenugreek and blessed thistle help to encourage natural milk production while providing additional nourishment and digestive support for new moms. These herbs may also help keep blood sugar balanced and cholesterol levels low in cases of hyperlipidemia.

During this challenging transition into motherhood, take all the help you can get. Balancing the health of you and your newborn is the ultimate objective, and even just that can feel daunting. Health First Nursing Aid can give you peace of mind knowing that both you and your baby are nourished.

References:
Increasing Breastmilk Supply with Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle | EcoParent magazine
Herbs for Increasing Milk Supply . Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation . Fondation canadienne de l’allaitement
https://ibconline.ca/information-sheets/herbal-remedies-for-milk-supply/
Blessed Thistle
Fenugreek

About the Author: Health First Network

Health First Network is Canada’s leading membership group for independent health & wellness retailers and the exclusive supplier of the premium Health First supplement brand. There are over 130 independently owned and operated retail Members across the country. Click here to learn more about Health First.