Herbs and Breastfeeding
By Susan Perri, Clinical Herbalist
Breastfeeding
is the best option for feeding your newborn,
if circumstances allow, for many reasons.
Nursing your baby is a natural and normal
conclusion to the experience of pregnancy
and birth. In fact, it serves as a powerful
link from the period of gestation to parenting.
It is the new umbilicus, a living link between
mother and child, still providing nourishment
on a level that exceeds the physical.
Breastfeeding
encourages the postpartum rebalancing of hormones.
It also is responsible for the production
and circulation of prolactin, the "mothering"
hormone. Breastfeeding fosters the bonding
of mother and infant, and is a profoundly
intimate human experience. It is the ultimate
fulfilled expression of one's womanhood to
satisfy her new babe's hunger with this perfect
first food from her own body.
Breastmilk
is natural immunity. Mom's white blood cells
are passed on to baby through her milk. Colostrum,
or the richer "pre-milk" is loaded
with antibodies from the mother to help protect
the baby from illness. Breastmilk is also
naturally abundant in essential fatty acids,
or EFAs. These substances are responsible
for a variety of important physiological functions
in the body, most notably brain cell health
and development. EFAs support the rapid cognitive
development in growing infants. In fact, European
infant formulas must be made with an EFA supplement
in order to be approved for sale and consumer
use. The U.S. unfortunately has not adopted
this policy. Breastmilk is wise; it changes
to meet the unique needs of your baby as your
baby changes and grows. Formula will never
do that.
Galactagogues
Galactagogues
are
those herbs that establish and promote the
flow of mother's milk. They often have high
calcium contents and vary in taste. The recommended
use of the following herbs is in tea form,
as the added liquid intake will also help
to increase milk. It's important for nursing
moms to pay attention to liquid intake and
stay well hydrated.
Blessed
thistle root (Cnicus benedictus): bitter
tasting, this one is best used in combination
with others.
Hops
flowers (Humulus lupus): also
somewhat bitter, hops is an effective galactagogue
with the added benefits of sedative, relaxant
qualities. The addition of hops to a galactagogue
brew will help both mother and baby to settle
down at the day's close.
Fennel
seed (Foeniculum vulgare): sweet
fennel seeds add flavor and palatability to
a galactagogue tea blend. They also have value
in treating digestive upsets, making them
ideal if baby has bouts with gas bubbles in
her sensitive tummy.
Fenugreek
seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum): another
sweet seed, fenugreek is mild tasting and
reminiscent of maple syrup. These seeds are
wonderful for increasing and enriching a scanty
milk supply, and like fennel they are also
useful for colicky complaints.
Borage
leaf (Borago officinalis): high
in calcium, borage leaves are mild tasting
and make a strong addition to any galactagogue
brew.
Engorgement and Mastitis
Nursing frequently
and on demand will help to quickly establish
a healthy and comfortable milk supply, and
avoid blockages in the ducts. It is just in
those first few days following your milk's
arrival that can be so uncomfortable, with
seemingly enough milk for three babies and
plenty of swollen discomfort. This will change
as your body normalizes and adapts to baby's
specific needs. But while you are waiting
for this marvelous equilibrium, here are some
suggestions...
-wear loose,
comfortable clothing; nothing restrictive
-avoid underwire
bras
-poultice
the breasts with cabbage leaves to reduce
heat and swelling; this can be done by placing
a large leaf in each cup of your nursing bra,
and changing frequently.
-massage
out any lumps or blockages in the ducts, moving
from the armpits downward and inward, and
expressing excess milk by hand or pump.
Attend to
engorgement promptly, as it can lead to the
more uncomfortable breast infection mastitis.
Mastitis is a blockage in the milk ducts of
the breast, usually visible beneath the skin's
surface as a red, swollen lump, and is tender
to the touch. Mastitis is often accompanied
by a fever and achey, flu-like symptoms. Continue
to nurse your baby, or express excess milk
to keep the ducts clear. The infection will
not harm the baby, and in fact continuing
to nurse is the best thing to do as it will
steady the milk supply and relieve engorgement.
Continuing to poultice with cabbage leaves
will offer relief from pain and alleviate
swelling. Vitamin C can be taken to aid natural
immune function, 500 mg every 3 hours. The
use of lymphatic
herbs
will assist drainage and boost the immune
system's response to the infection. These
are all safe for use by a nursing woman, and
fine to pass along to baby.
Cleavers
(Galium aparine): useful
for swelling, which blocks proper and necessary
drainage, and boosts blood-cleansing capacities
in the body. Use fresh flowering tincture
of cleavers, 30-40 drops in warm water every
3 hours.
Calendula
(Calendula officinalis): excellent
for promoting the flow and drainage of lymphatic
fluids, calendula is especially beneficial
in dissolving blockages. Because it is difficult
to find in tincture form, drink one cup of
the infusion every 4 hours, or three times
a day.
Prickly
ash (Xanthoxylum americanum): stimulates
lymphatic flow, increases immunity, and dissolves
deposits and blockages. Take 20-30 drops of
the tincture in warm water every 3 hours.
Echinacea
root (Echinacea augustifolia, purpurea): use
this antibiotic alternative in conjunction
with your chosen lymphatic(s) for its innate
infection fighting capabilities. Divide the
body weight in half to determine the amount
of tincture drops to take, and repeat this
dose every 3 hours.
Garden
sage or parsley eaten
or brewed for tea will act as the opposite
of a galactagogue, drying up excess milk to
reduce blockages in the milk ducts and improve
swelling, helping the infection to heal. Use
small quantities over a short period of time,
so as not to threaten the establishment of
an adequate milk supply. These are wonderful
to remember for use when it's time to wean...
Nipple Conditioning
The best
prevention for sore nipples is protection.
Newborn babies have a tendency to camp at
the breast, and this frequent use can cause
some wear and tear. Conditioning of the nipples
can begin during pregnancy, with simple and
natural emollients. Almond oil is a good option,
or lanolin. Lanolin, unlike the almond oil,
can be used after baby arrives and is established
in nursing. Lanolin will not interfere with
baby's ability to latch on to the nipple correctly,
nor will it harm baby to suck on nipples wearing
lanolin. It need not be removed to nurse,
and can be applied prior to feedings to protect
and nourish the nipples. Regular use of lanolin
will help to prevent tears on the nipples,
which aside from being painful provide an
opening for bacteria and increase the likelihood
of developing mastitis. Lanolin can be found
in the baby supplies section of your drugstore;
a popular brand is "Lansinoh". Allow
fresh air to visit the breasts. Go braless
for periods of time, or leave the nursing
flaps of your bra open for a "breather".
Seek help
from a lactation specialist or breastfeeding
advocate if nursing continues to be an uncomfortable
experience. It could be that the baby is not
attaching to the breast properly, and these
people are trained to provide guidance and
support. Please refer to the Appendix for
resources on breastfeeding support. LaLeche
League is an international organization for
breastfeeding advocacy, and has trained support
people who will come to your home, free of
charge, if need be.
This text intends
to provide information on the traditional
uses of native plants, not to prescribe. If
your child is not well, please seek the assistance
of a competent health care provider.
Susan
Perri is a Clinical Herbalist, author, and
mother in upstate New York. The article is
excerpted from her book The
Complete Herbal for Pregnancy and Childbirth.
For more on books, herbal medicine instruction,
and high quality herbal formulas, visit www.bcbotanica.com
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