The truth is, when you are nursing, this is a time to be super careful. What is safe for one woman and her baby may not be safe for another woman and her baby.
Postpartum is a time to work very closely with your practitioner. Appropriate dosing and delivery depend very much on the age + weight of your baby, any symptoms that may arise between the two of you, and consistent monitoring for any change with use.
Just a reminder, be mindful of recommendations online or in Facebook groups while pregnant or nursing, and always ask your provider first. There is individualised support needed depending on the unique situation.
So What Are My Favorite Nursing Herbs for Mothers?
All that being said, these are the nursing herbs that I love and generally recommend—again, I look at what’s best for Mother and baby on a case by case basis—as these herbs can be very supportive to the body during this important time.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha calms without sedating, regulates sleep, supports the thyroid & adrenal glands, rich in iron, help with muscle pain + cloudy thinking.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a sleep aid, helps with high anxiety and stress, assists digestion and elimination, calms colicky infants and teething babies as well as soothes restless children.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek significantly increases milk production in lactating women, rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, C, thiamin, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, and selenium.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, digestive, and its sedative properties relieve anxiety and assist with stress, hypertension, depression, high blood pressure, muscle spasms, heart palpitations, tension headaches, and circulatory issues.
Nettle
Nettle lowers inflammation diuretic properties (goodbye excess pregnancy fluid), strengthens adrenal function. Helps pregnant mothers avoid hemorrhage, helps to build up iron stores again postpartum, calms the body, boosts breastmilk supply. Nettle Leaf is high in Vitamin K, iron, and calcium.
Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaf strengthens and tones the uterus + helps bring the uterus back to its normal size, helps “afterbirth,” provides B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and iron, and helps stimulate milk for breastfeeding.
Thrive
Want to learn more about breastmilk/breastfeeding, baby’s first foods, supporting baby’s with teething, using foods and herbs medicinally to heal and thrive, and much more? Check out my course, Thrive Mother and Child Programme, begins on 9th June.
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