How to Increase Breastmilk Naturally
When Atticus was born, my mom had a huge pot of seaweed soup ready for me. It’s a traditional postpartum tradition in South Korea to make this soup after birth to help nourish the mama but also help boost breastmilk production. And boy did my milk come in. My breasts were as huge as torpedoes!
I know that seaweed is not everyone’s cup of tea, so listed below are some other helpful ways to encourage good supply. Of course, the same general tips hold true like staying hydrated and eating a nutrient dense diet.
Reduce Stress & Tension: In order for you to make milk and have good let-down, we have to ensure your qi (energy) is flowing freely. Qi stagnation is a common pattern that we see in new moms. Gentle massages are highly recommended. You can often hire postpartum doulas to provide therapeutic massages after birth. Enlist your partner, friends and family if you’re comfortable. Get acupuncture during your fourth trimester to assist your recovery and enhance circulation of qi and blood. They can even prescribe custom herbal formulas to help with prolonged lochia, abdominal discomfort as well as increasing breastmilk.
Stay warm, Eat warm, Drink warm: Simply put, cold things stagnate and impede movement and circulation. Do your best to keep your body warm and eat & drink warm things. If your having trouble with supply, one possible pattern at play may be cold or yang deficiency. Yang is the warmth and energy in the body. If it’s running low, we can do more damage by exposing ourselves to cold and only eating things like salads and smoothies. Opt for warm teas, warmed and cooked foods. Also keep your body covered, especially your feet, the back of your neck and your lower abdomen and back.
Acupressure: Apply pressure to these acupressure points 2-3 times per day in between your acupuncture appointments; GB21, CV17, SI1. To apply acupressure, first accurately locate the point, then press into the point to your comfort level. Be aware that it may be sore. Move your finger in small circles for about 60 seconds per point.
Breast Massage: You may be naturally drawn to massage your own breasts as a breastfeeding person, but for some of us, it may feel a bit foreign. That’s okay! It’s not too late to learn and connect with yourself in that way. It's also not as weird as you think. It may become a relaxing way for you to ease stress and relieve tension. If you’d like to learn more about holistic breast health and a rejuvenating massage sequence, sign up for our self study e-course: The Ultimate Guide to Breast Rejuvenation.
Here are some resources for postpartum health:
The connection between our physical and emotional well-being offers profound insights into our health. The Heart and its correspondence to our emotions and bodily functions are the core of this ancient healing system.