Foods and galactogenic plants
Foods and galactogenic plants promote lactation, in the event of a drop in milk due to fatigue for example. Before having recourse to these dietary or other remedies, it is desirable to check that this drop in milk is not due to a lack of stimulation (baby does not suck enough), severe fatigue or a bad position of the baby at the breast. .
Certain episodes such as the baby's growth spurts (around 3 weeks, 6 weeks) may suggest a decrease in breastfeeding when all you have to do is put the baby to the breast more often and take rest so that breastfeeding continues normally.
I - Foods to promote for better milk flow
Foods that promote lactation : Carrots, Fennel, Cumin and caraway, Almonds, cashews, dates, Malt powder, Cooked barley, cooked lentils, Cereal coffee, Green salad, Watercress, Millet, Quinoa, Non-alcoholic beer, Fenugreek in capsules or to grind oneself into seeds (using a coffee grinder) or sprouted seeds… According to the form (capsule or food), integrate it into salads, during or outside of meals.
Foods that decrease lactation : parsley, dill, mint, and especially sage and soy because of their phytoestrogen content.
Each culture has its foods to eat and to avoid in order to have good milk production. We must beware of hearsay on the subject: it is not uncommon to see a food to be avoided in one country while it will be recommended to breastfeeding women in another country. The best is to try it for yourself and see the results.
Galactogenic plants : green anise, basil, celery, cumin, fennel, nettle and verbena. < / span>
There are many herbal teas to make yourself, here are some recipes:
First recipe :
- Crushed anise: 2 teaspoons
- Basil: 2 teaspoons
- Crushed fennel: 2 teaspoons
- Nettle: 2 teaspoons
- Verbena: 2 teaspoons
From this mixture, leave infuse 2 tablespoons for ½ liter of water for 5 min.
Second recipe *:
- 1/3 teaspoon of seeds cumin
- 1/3 teaspoon of fennel seeds
- 1/3 teaspoon star anise (star anise)
Third recipe *:
- 10g of angelica seeds
< span style = "font-w eight: 400; "> - 50g of anise
- 30g of caraway
- 40g of fennel
- 40g of galéga
- 20g of hops
- 20g of white dead nettle < / span>
* Heat 1 liter of water, put a handful of the preparation, turn off the heat and let infuse 5/10 minutes, no more.
Drink 1 liter per day for 3 days, then 1/2 liter per day for another 3 days. If engorgement is felt, decrease the quantity.
Talk to your doctor: some plants may interact with certain medications.
II - Homeopathy to promote the flow of milk
Again, the homeopathy cited here is as an example. There are as many remedies as there are cases, and it is advisable to consult a homeopath who will refine the protocol according to the needs of the nursing mother and her condition.
Here are some great classic remedies:
- Ricinus communis: it increases milk secretion. Be careful with the dilution: in 3CH (three granules three times a day) to increase milk secretion but in 30CH it stops (practical for difficult weaning). When used in combination with Urtica Urens it is very effective. 3CH: 3 granules morning and evening, away from meals (or more, until you feel the flow of milk).
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- Urtica urens: it facilitates milk flow when you have to deal with engorgement painful. It is also indicated in cases where the breasts itch (with a burning and stinging pain). It is a good remedy for reduced milk production, in small dilution. 4CH: 3 granules morning noon and evening.
< / span> - Agnus castus: 5CH 3 granules 3 times a day.
- Phytolacca: It is recommended for cases of mastitis, hard breast and painful, cracking and / or fever associated with severe fatigue. 9CH: 3 granules 3 times a day.
< / span> - China: it is the remedy for the exhausted woman, pale, who feels empty, hypersensitive, typical of the young mother. She does not tolerate noise (crying), lights, smells ... the picture is complete if she has bloating all over the abdomen and if there has been significant fluid loss, hypotension or anemia. 7 CH: 3 granules 3 times a day.