The fear of breastfeeding women of not having enough milk for their baby and therefore not being able to feed it sufficiently is an age-old one. And apparently difficult to dispel. I also hear this concern again and again in my consultations. In such cases, I always try to strengthen the mum's confidence in her body. After all, nature has actually set this up quite simply: The more often the baby is breastfed, the more breast milk is produced. The baby's demand automatically regulates the supply of breast milk. At the end of this article, I will give you various tips on what else can boost your milk production.
At this point, however, I would like to talk separately about breastfeeding teas (also known as "lactation teas"). This is simply because new mums keep asking me about them. When should I start drinking these teas? How much should I drink? Which variety is recommended? Also in my article Superstitions and old wives' tales about having children I have already briefly explained that the production of breast milk is mainly influenced by the baby's latching on to the breast. However, the topic of "breastfeeding teas" is obviously still of great interest to mothers. This is also reflected in the immense range of herbal blends available in drugstores, pharmacies and on the Internet. With sometimes gigantic price differences! Converted to one kilogramme of tea leaves, these can be up to 100 euros! But does a tea blend costing 19.80 euros for a small packet really do more than one costing just under two euros? Of course not!
What are breastfeeding teas made of?
The well-known German midwife Ingeborg Stadelmann (born 1956) is probably regarded as a kind of "modern inventor" of breastfeeding tea. Among other things, she has made a name for herself as an advocate of natural and herbal medicine and has created tea recipes for or against almost every circumstance. These include, of course, a breastfeeding tea, which is said to promote lactation and is also mentioned in Stadelmann's widely read book "The midwife consultation" (Stadelmann-Verlag) is recommended. He exists made from aniseed, dill fruits, fennel, marjoram, lemon balm and black cumin. Even other manufacturers sometimes advertise their breastfeeding teas with the addition "according to Stadelmann".
Ultimately, it is always a mixture of herbs that are said to have a certain effect. Many ingredients in breastfeeding teas contain so-called galactagogues, which (are supposed to) stimulate milk production. These active ingredients can be found in herbs or foods. However, a galactagogue can also be administered in the form of a medication, for example if a breastfeeding mother's body is not producing enough milk due to illness.
As with Stadelmann, fennel, aniseed and caraway are regular ingredients in today's breastfeeding teas. The various manufacturers' blends also usually contain other herbs (e.g. lemon verbena, nettle, lemon balm) or seeds (e.g. fenugreek, milk thistle, dill) in different compositions. Some of the herbs used (such as fennel or dill fruits) also have an antispasmodic effect and relieve flatulence, while others are said to provide a pleasant flavour.
Around the globe
Breastfeeding and lactation teas are therefore intended to stimulate the production and flow of breast milk. However, there is still a lack of scientifically reliable evidence for the milk-forming effects of herbal blends. The current study situation is thin and correspondingly inadequate, writes the European Commission. Institute for Lactation and Breastfeeding on its website. There are only a few indications that possibly Fenugreek and milk thistle stimulate milk production could.
But the fact is: Different cultures are said to have different lactogenic effects. Women in parts of Africa, for example, swear by millet wine or salted peanuts. And breastfeeding mothers in Indonesia turn to banana blossom and chicken meat to get their milk flowing. In this way, mothers around the world swear by certain recipes for generations and pass them on.
In Germany, breastfeeding mothers traditionally like to drink fennel-aniseed-caraway tea. I can hardly imagine that they would switch to salted peanuts instead of this mixture to stimulate their milk production...
But what always makes me really angry in Germany is the fact that breastfeeding mothers are still often advised to drink a glass of champagne or beer every now and then to increase milk production. Here I can only say: Hands off alcohol! Firstly, the breastfed child drinks every sip of alcohol that the mother consumes via the mother's milk - and this can cause serious damage to the baby. And secondly, alcohol does not promote milk production, it actually inhibits it!
Breastfeeding tea: Effect without guarantee
As far as breastfeeding teas are concerned, it cannot be denied that we are at least somewhat in the realm of beliefs when it comes to "tutoring milk production". But this can also help, because anyone who believes that breastfeeding tea increases the flow of breast milk could at least feel more confident and carefree - which can certainly have a positive effect on milk flow. In any case, I know many mums for whom a daily cup of lactation tea has become a real little ritual that gives them and their baby moments of peace - without distraction, without everyday stuff, without tension. Such "islands of relaxation" alone support a successful breastfeeding relationship. Find out why breastfeeding is ideal for mum and baby here
So that you understand me correctly: I do not want to deny herbal medicine its justification or certain effects. But I would like to make it clear:
The consumption of breastfeeding teas alone is no guarantee that sufficient breast milk will flow and that breastfeeding will work well right from the start. You should therefore be sceptical about the advertising claims for breastfeeding teas. Some manufacturers even warn mothers with the following advice: If a woman is still breastfeeding, she should not drink the tea blend. before the milk is coming in, it could happen that they too much produce breast milk. Sorry, dear mums, but this is of course complete nonsense! After all, your body doesn't produce breast milk just because you've consumed breastfeeding tea. Oh, if only it were that simple ... But as is so often the case in life, there are unfortunately no simple answers or solutions to complex questions and contexts. And if breastfeeding doesn't go as planned - in the truest sense of the word - then the solution is certainly not to drink breastfeeding tea and everything will be fine.
It is important for mothers to note that a reduced milk supply, despite good latch-on technique and frequent feeding of the baby, can also have a serious physical cause. This includes, for example, a thyroid dysfunction or unrecognised or incorrectly controlled diabetes. In these cases, the problem cannot be solved by drinking breastfeeding teas. It is therefore important to get to the bottom of the causes if there are serious breastfeeding problems.
On the other hand, I would like to emphasise this: If a breastfeeding mother has found a herbal tea blend that tastes good and does her good, there is nothing to stop her from drinking this tea regularly. Because breastfeeding tea does no harm. And - also very important! - it ensures a healthy fluid intake. But it can't work miracles.
By the way: so-called "milk-forming balls" are also said to stimulate milk production. The internet is full of offers and baking recipes. Ultimately, however, these are just useful energy boosts for in-between meals, especially in the postpartum period when breastfeeding mothers need extra calories. However, even these little helpers have no effect on the physiological processes of breast milk production.
What reliably promotes milk production?
Beyond lactation tea and the like, you can do a lot yourself to get your breast milk production going. Your midwife is always a reliable contact person for you. Don't be afraid to seek advice or help from her if breastfeeding is not (yet) going smoothly or if you are worried about your baby thriving. If you have any questions, you can also contact me in my online midwife consultation contact us. Together we will find the reason for your breastfeeding problem and the right help options for you.
You can also use the La Leche League (LLL)contact your gynaecologist, paediatrician's practice or a professional breastfeeding consultant (lactation consultant).
To give you a better understanding of the physiological processes in your body during breastfeeding, I would like to give you a brief overview here:
What influences the production of breast milk?
The role of hormones: Playing for breastfeeding Prolactin and Oxytocin play the main roles. The release of prolactin ensures that your body produces breast milk. Oxytocin, in turn, makes the milk flow when the baby sucks at the breast. This hormone triggers the so-called milk let-down reflex. Incidentally, it is also known as the cuddle hormone, as the body also releases oxytocin during tender touching. This is why a lot of physical contact with your baby ultimately also makes the milk flow better. This also includes carrying your baby frequently. You can find out why close body contact is also good for you and your child by reading here read.
Supply and demand regulate milk production: As already mentioned, the interplay of hormones in the female body means that milk production works according to the principle of demand and supply. This means that the more often your baby feeds from your breast, the more breast milk your body produces. You can experience this very impressively when your baby has a growth spurt. This is when it suddenly demands your breast more often because the current amount of milk is no longer enough. You will now breastfeed your baby more often - and after a short time, your body will have adjusted to the baby's changed needs and more milk will flow.
This means you can boost your milk production by latching on more frequently. It is crucial that the baby does not just suck on your nipple, but surrounds it with its mouth and areola. This is the best way for the baby to suckle and stimulate milk production. Also, always offer both breasts to your baby at every feed.
Many women are surprised after giving birth that they have problems at first, that breastfeeding can cause pain at the beginning and that breast inflammation can also occur when the milk comes in. Therefore, prepare yourself well for breastfeeding. The Online breastfeeding course from midwife Katharina will help you prepare for and overcome the challenges for you and your baby during the breastfeeding period. You can get midwife support for breastfeeding problems from midwife Katharina in her Video consultation. Health insurance companies also pay for this help with questions about breastfeeding.
