herbs and milk supply

[Guest guest]

Parsley can indeed have a huge impact on supply. I dropped my supply one summer very rapidly (in two days) by juicing parsley along with my other veggies. But, as you all say there are many factors here, including her fasting (I have fasted while nursing with no loss of supply--but not with such a young baby), lack of protein and fats (although remember how many women in developing nations make enough milk on very low fat/protein diets), possible hormonal changes and inflammation in her body. It is also very common for a mom at 6 months to pump very little milk, especially as she is nursing her baby. I would not consider that to be very significant in and of itself. The body cannot direct its energy everywhere at once. If she is dealing with any kind of significant infection or inflammatory response, that may well be playing a role. Personally, I would suggest she try stopping the fenugreek, as some people are quite sensitive to it, and take shatavari, which is gut healing and milk thistle in its derivative form (the silybin phytosome)--as it supports healing of the liver and is a strong galactogogue (for this reason, of course). If she had gallstones, chances are her liver is not breaking down fats or hormones properly. Also, if she is indeed having gall bladder problems, the only fat I would suggest she increase at this time is coconut oil, as it breaks down gall stones. Otherwise, she can wait until her appt to increase anything else. She could, however, increase her intake of phytonutrients by adding a green food to her diet. For many women this boosts their nutrition so well, that milk supply responds accordingly.

Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

Intuitive Parenting Network, LLC

I would appreciate your input regarding increasing milk supply for this mom

I am working with a mother that is very motivated to continue to breastfeed.

History-

She has previously breastfeed 7 children for extended time, no problems at all

Current baby boy is 6 months (eighth child) and breastfeeding has been going well

Mother has been healthy. Last Thursday she began having pain that she thought was gall bladder pain.

She began a three day fast with fresh squeezed juice and for pain she made a soup of a bunch of parsley, 3 roots celery, and 3 steamed zucchini. She also had shredded beet, flaxseed and lemon.

As a cleanse she had 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup lemon juice.

She thinks she passed the gall stone then.

She had a sonogram and blood work that she says was all negative.

She is now having a different kind of stomach pain in middle of abdomen and has appointment with gastroenterologist.

She did the cleanse this last weekend. Beginning of the week she noticed that her breasts were no longer feeling full and baby's wet diapers decreased and baby was fussy at breast.

She rented a Symphony and has been pumping for about 2 days and is getting 1-1.5 oz per session.

The mother is worried that the parsley has/or will cause her to stop producing milk

I have given her reassurance, but she is so worried that she is taking quite a few herbs.

I would like your expertise, because she is taking so many herbs and I don't know if any of these will cause additional problems.

She is taking Nature's Way Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle, marshmallow root and raspberry.

She is also drinking tea with barley, fennel and hops. She is also taking dandelion.

She wants to know if she should take Shatavari and Goats Rue?

Today and yesterday the baby was fussy enough at breast that he wasn't feeding well.

Today I showed her how to use the starter SNS and she is feeding her baby her pumped milk.

The feeding I observed with SNS went well.

She is also continuing to pump.

Thanks in advance,

Marine--

Marine, BA, IBCLC, RLC

Marine Lactation Services

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