It is not uncommon for women to struggle with supply (largely as a result of hormone disruption caused by PCOS, thyroid, etc) – but luckily there are a few solutions that will help get supply up to normal.
1. Myo-Inositol (specifically for PCOS mommas)
Myo-inositol is a natural substance, found in plants and animals, which helps to regulate insulin in a similar way to metformin and may be useful for mothers with PCOS who are dealing with low supply.
It’s a major ingredient in breast milk and taking it supplementally can help boost breast milk production and increase baby’s brain health.
Additional supplements/herbs to take:
You can take therapeutic levels of Goat’s Rue, Moringa, and Shatavari— all proven to improve milk production and flow safely. While different women will have different degrees of response to these herbs, they are generally safe to try. It can take up to 2 full weeks to notice a shift in supply or flow.
- Legendairy supplements. Because our bodies all respond differently to different herbs, I love this variety pack. It features three different herbal blends, so you can figure out what works best for you. The Pump Princess has really worked for me personally when I was breastfeeding my kids.
Foods to help boost milk supply:
- Grains like oatmeal, barley, millet, and quinoa. Eat at least one cup of whole grains per day.
- Spices like fennel, ginger, turmeric, and Brewer’s Yeast. Include at least 1 teaspoon of these spices in each meal, for a total of approximately 1 tablespoon per day.
- Nuts and seeds like flaxseed, almonds, and sesame seeds. Eat at least two tablespoons of nuts and seeds per day.
Here is a great recipe for Lactation Cookies with some of the above ingredients you can make at home!
Make sure latch is right:
If your baby can’t efficiently drain the breast, you may have problems with supply since the breast isn’t stimulated enough. It can be as simple as correcting a bad latch or addressing any anatomical issues that are preventing a good latch from a baby being lip tied, tongue tied, or mama having inverted nipples.
The good news is most of these issues can be corrected, so baby and mom can breastfeed successfully. If you’re having any issues in this department, it’s best to see a pediatric trained chiropractor. Another options is finding an IBCLC near you to help with proper latching.
