3 ways that tea can help my milk supply
Establishing a healthy milk supply isn't always as easy as it sounds. These are three ways tea can help and why:
Hydration
Drinking caffeine free herbal teas are a great way to stay hydrated whilst breastfeeding. Our Milk's Up, Get Up Glow, and Night Owl tea blends are all perfect lactation companions.
Breast milk made up of 90% water, and by the time their baby is 6 months old, the average breastfeeding mum will produce c. 750 ml of breast milk per day. This is additional water that your body is losing, on top of your own body's water usage. So you need to be drinking enough to hydrate both you and your little one.
The NHS recommends that breastfeeding mums should try to drink a total of 2.5 litres of water a day, which is quite difficult in itself, so make sure to mix it up - our herbal teas are the perfect way to so this!
Galactagogues
Galactagogue comes from the Greek “galacta,” meaning milk. It is found in foods and herbs, and can help to establish a healthy milk supply.
Milk's Up breastfeeding support tea blend contains fennel, nettle, fenugreek seeds, lemon verbena and aniseed. These are all herbs which have been used for millennia to support lactation, but also taste delicious!
Fennel is considered a galactagogue by most herbalists, but many also recognise that it’s benefit isn’t in boosting milk supply, but actually making milk more easily available to your baby. This is known as the ‘let down reflex’, and fennel is believed to contain natural chemicals that make this possible.
Fenugreek is a member of the pea family whose seeds are used amongst other things as the artificial flavour in maple syrup. Anecdotal reports of its effectiveness to support milk supply go back to 1945, but no formal studies have been located.
Oxytocin
The release of oxytocin, is one of the most profound psychological benefits of breastfeeding. When you are rushing around and trying to fit in feeds whilst stressed or tired, it can make breastfeeding more challenging.
By taking the time to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea, your body will produce oxytocin, which in turn will help milk flow and production. Caffeine free, Night Owl is a balanced blend of calming herbs soothe your soul, help to relax even the busiest of minds.
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