Natural ways to increase breast milk supply

I have stated this before- I am a very avid breastfeeding supporter.  Breastfeeding hasn't necessarily always been easy for me, but when I think of all the benefits, it is definitely worth it.  There are many people that have struggles making and/or producing enough milk.  These are methods that can help your body do so more efficiently. 

Starting with the simple things, that we all know we need to do- just specifying.

• Water - Breastfeeding women need to drink 3.0 liters, or about 13 cups per day.  When you are low on milk supply, making sure you are drinking enough could help a lot.  The best thing to do is always have water nearby and drink it whenever you are thirsty.  Listening to our bodies cues can be the most beneficial.
• Calories - on average, a breastfeeding mom needs to consume about 1800-2200 calories per day (sometimes more).  Again- it is very important to listen to your bodies cues and eat whenever you feel hungry.
•  Fenugreek - seed capsules, tinctures and teas can be purchased in many health food stores and online. You can also buy empty gelatin capsules and buy bulk fenugreek seed powder to make your own capsules.  Fenugreek seeds contain hormone precursors that increase milk supply. 
• Blessed Thistle - can be consumed, powdered, in capsule form found at your local health foods store. The leaves, stems and flowers of blessed thistle can also be stewed in hot water to produce an aromatic tea that provides both extra fluids and the herb's lactation-enhancing properties.  
• Make sure you are not over working yourself and make sure you are getting enough sleep.  Both can be VITAL in the production of breast milk.
• Rescue Remedy - (I swear by this for numerous things.)  This is a homeopathic remedy that is useful for triggering the letdown reflex. You take four drops under the tongue up to five minutes before pumping or nursing. Rescue Remedy can have a slight sedative effect, so use with caution.  
• Mother’s Milk Tea -This tea is a very mild galactagogue containing fenugreek.  Some women find that drinking several cups a day is all that is needed of fenugreek to boost their supply.  An easy way to drink it is to brew a few cups very strong and cool it.  It can be drunk either iced straight or mixed half and half with apple juice. 

Nursing is so worth all the hard work and very beneficial for you and your children.  If you are wanting to nurse, stick with it and try everything you can before you give up.  Good luck!

My lovely friend, Mastitis

I am currently breastfeeding my second child.  I absolutely love breastfeeding and I am a very avid supporter of the cause.  This time around hasn't been the easiest, as I have been plagued with mastitis for (currently) the 4th time.

Some facts/symptoms of Mastitis:

• Mastitis appears to be the body's way of telling mom to SLOW DOWN.

• Typical mastitis symptoms include a fever of 101.3°F (38.5°C) or greater, chills, flu-like aching, malaise and systemic illness.

• Mastitis may come on suddenly, and usually affects just one breast.

• There may be red streaks extending outward from the affected area.

• Very sore and/or painful breasts (usually it's just a specific area on one breast).

Mastitis always seems to occur when I am over-doing it, so it has been my time where I tell my husband to take the kids, and let me rest (besides nursing, nursing, nursing)!  Here is what I have discovered that has cured my mastitis is just a couple days...

• Do NOT decrease or stop nursing when you have a plugged duct or mastitis, as this increases risk of complications (including abscess).
• NURSE, NURSE, NURSE! - Nurse your baby for as long as possible
• Raw Garlic - At least 2-3 raw cloves per day, 4-5 cloves a day if possible. Chop a clove into 5 or 6 pieces and then swallow the pieces whole like pills.  Raw garlic acts as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, without the added antibiotic side effects of the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, or the development of yeast infections or thrush. The antimicrobial property in garlic, allicin, is very sensitive to heat and is destroyed when cooked. In order for it to work, it needs to be raw. Swallowing the cloves with orange juice helps with the taste for me. Allicin is also what gives garlic its pungent odor, so the deodorized garlic capsules that some companies offer are essentially useless, if they are being taken for the antimicrobial properties. However, deodorized garlic is still beneficial for its blood pressure reducing properties and for stimulating the immune system. 
• Tincture of Echinacea - as directed on bottle, 3-4 times per day.
• Tincture of Oregon Grape Root - as directed on bottle, 3-4 times per day.
• Vitamin C - 3000-5000 mg per day (literally load up on it!).
• Cold or Warm Compresses - I've talked to women that like cold, and some that like warm, but I have tried both and they both worked for me.  Rotating between the two would probably be ideal.
• Hot Shower or Bath - let the water just run over your breast and massage toward the nipple. 
• REST, REST, REST! - This is your time to rest, ladies.  Take advantage of feeling like garbage and just lay in bed.  It is what your body needs.

If you feel a plugged duct or mastitis coming on, a great way to kick it before it gets worse is to put a whole cabbage leaf inside of your bra, right next to your breast.  This has worked wonders for many people I know.  If you would like to find out more information on plugged milk ducts or mastitis, I really like kellymom.com.

If you do not start feeling better with-in 24-48 hours, seek medical attention.