Breastfeeding tea to stimulate milk production

There are two types of breastfeeding herbal teas:

– those that may help to soothe baby's colic,

– and those aimed at stimulating breast milk production, through the use of galactagogue plants.

Herbal teas support good hydration and may help on a daily basis to encourage milk production.

There is nothing magical about herbal teas, however. They can never replace a healthy and balanced diet. On-demand feeding — putting your baby to the breast without watching the clock — is also essential.

They generally contain galactagogue plants (which stimulate lactation).

Choosing the right herbal tea

It is, however, worth seeking advice from a specialist in this area — a herbalist, for example — as the consumption of certain plants, such as fenugreek, is not recommended in conditions such as diabetes or hypoglycaemia.

For certain plants such as fennel, you should limit yourself to 1 cup per day, for example, due to the presence of compounds such as estragole which at high doses is dangerous during breastfeeding.

Among the other galactagogues the most well-known and widely used to support breastfeeding, fenugreek stands out — used since antiquity for its galactagogue properties and to support recovery after childbirth. Our breastfeeding snacks contain fenugreek.

Fenugreek should, however, be avoided by pregnant women (as it may trigger uterine contractions), and used with caution by those with diabetes. Speak to your doctor if this applies to you.

Caraway is another plant traditionally used in herbal teas.

You can buy your breastfeeding herbal tea in shops, after discussing it with your lactation consultant or midwife. We recommend choosing an organic one. If you're feeling creative, you can blend your own herbal tea by visiting a herbalist and buying plants in bulk (organic if possible).

The benefits of moringa are also recognised for breastfeeding, but are more commonly found in a breastfeeding food supplement, or in our breastfeeding bites Milk moonies for example. 

Galactagogues

With childbirth and the delivery of the placenta, progesterone levels drop, allowing abundant milk production to begin.

In this first phase, it is mainly hormones that come into play through interactions with the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland (notably the well-known prolactin). This is referred to as endocrine lactation.

In a second phase, prolactin levels drop, but lactation is maintained by local mechanisms (known as autocrine lactation). It is the effective local drainage of the breasts that keeps milk secretion going.

In other words, if the breasts are not stimulated regularly and effectively enough, milk production will decrease. Hence the importance of putting your baby to the breast often, without watching the clock.

When should you use them?

What La Leche League says: "The use of galactagogues should be reserved for situations in which a careful assessment has not identified a treatable cause (...), and when an increase in the frequency of feeds and/or milk expression has not produced the desired result."

AKA Call your IBCLC first! Your lactation consultant will be able to advise you on what steps to put in place to boost your milk supply.

Useful in specific situations

As part of good breastfeeding practice, plants and other galactagogues can be helpful allies during challenging periods, such as:

– In cases of severe fatigue or stress, to boost milk supply,

– When returning to work, which also leads to a reduction in feeds or pumping sessions,

– During your baby's growth spurts, around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, when their needs increase and they ask to feed more often (the so-called "nursing marathons"),

– When starting hormonal contraception, which can have the side effect of reducing milk supply,

– Finally, specific situations such as relactation, breastfeeding an adopted child, or illness in the mother or baby may require the use of galactagogues. These particular circumstances call for specialist support.

Baby colic is very common and is often due to an immature digestive tract. If you are not affected, count yourself lucky!

Some plants may have — such as fennel or verbena — a calming effect on the stomach. 

It is advisable not to give these to young children. When consumed as herbal teas, some of their active compounds may pass into breast milk and help relieve colic, gas and other tummy troubles in babies. Before consuming these breastfeeding herbal teas for colic, speak to your healthcare professional. Breastfeeding herbal teas can therefore be true allies when colic is intense.

It is also advisable to reduce dairy consumption if colic persists. A baby massage can also help soothe your child.

You can drink herbal teas throughout the day (1–3 cups per day, varying the plants and fruits used).

During breastfeeding, water requirements increase by around 700 ml/day. Breast milk is composed of approximately 87% water.

If the mother does not drink enough water, there is no risk to the infant, who receives what they need. This comes at the mother's expense, as she may experience certain discomforts associated with insufficient fluid intake.

Scientific evidence consistently shows that neither increasing nor restricting fluid intake affected the volume of milk produced.

For more information on this topic, see our article: breastfeeding hydration.

We designed our breastfeeding herbal tea conceived as a breath of fresh air, an invitation to travel, to treat yourself or someone else. The breastfeeding herbal tea we had always dreamed of.

At last, a blend rich in plants that support lactation, bringing together sensory pleasure and genuine benefits. With pieces of apple, caraway and lemongrass. And always 100% Organic, 100% Natural and made in France.

A delicious recipe for all breastfeeding mothers, or those who simply want to reconnect with their own rhythm during a moment of pause 

Breastfeeding herbal teas, thanks to their galactagogue plants, may help support lactation, provided your breastfeeding is already well established. They also have the benefit of encouraging you to drink more and of giving you a moment to reconnect with yourself over a pleasurable pause, even if just for two minutes.

They do not, however, replace good breastfeeding practices such as frequent, on-demand feeding, effective latching, and a healthy diet. Remember that a breastfeeding mother also needs an extra 500 kcal per day compared to what she was consuming before her pregnancy.

Take time for you mama!