Many people want to relactate but are unsure if it’s possible or if it’s “allowed” and I’m here to tell you yes you can!
Can I just take some herbs and/or meds?
Galactagogues are medications or other substances and herbs believed to assist in initiation, maintenance or augmentation of milk supply.
Commonly used galactagogues:
Fenugreek, blessed thistle, fennel, goats rue, shatavari, moringa, oatmeal, brewers yeast, garlic, mothers milk tea, chaste tree / vitex
Don’t believe everything you see on Tik Tok. Many herbal legend “galactagogues” include - blue gatorade, starbucks pink drink and body armor. These drinks will NOT increase output or speed up production.
A well hydrated parent is ideal for milk production but drinking more of any liquid do not increase your supply.
Prescription Drugs used often include:
Metoclopramide - L2 - exercise caution due to side effects depressions, drowsiness, dizziness; wean slowly to reduce drop in milk supply, AAP list as drug of concern
Domperidone - L1 - doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier, not currently legally marketed human drug and is not approved for sale in the US. AAP listed as usually compatible
Relactation Roadblocks - certain meds, hormonal birth control, hypothyroidism(underactive), smoking, anemia, retained placenta, IGT (insufficient glandular tissue), history of hormonal issues, any type of breast surgery or injury
🤱🏾Want to know how to relactate? Want to induce lactation to share feeding with a partner?
👩🏾⚕️Find a trusted IBCLC that will be encouraging on and of your journey!
🍼Methods include rebirthing techniques and creating an environment that fosters self attachment. Pumping/Stimulating/Feeding 8-12x a day.
3 steps for inducing lactation
Preparing the body to make milk
Stimulate chest as in pregnancy
Approaches - hormonal, pharmaceutical, herbal, pumping and manual stimulation
Choice depends on age of baby and if they are here yet and parents preference
Start to make milk - usually before the baby arrives
Stop hormonal therapy, 6 weeks prior to baby arrival ideal, store the milk
Feeding the baby at the breast and continuing to grow the milk supply
Nurse with at breast supplementer
Maybe discontinue pumping; check to see if baby is transferring effectively and efficiently
💕Consistency is crucial. Time it takes to relactate will vary and deeply depends on your level of commitment.
🌻Additionally, having a good herbalist that can help guide your clients through the process if/when using herbs to induce or improve lactation. Acupuncture helps with blood flow, which helps milk production because the milk is made from the blood.
🌿Check out this source www.rootandsoul.com for a Black doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, doula, lactation educator/counselor. IBCLC’s you need to save her as a resource!
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