Don’t get me wrong, breastfeeding has been amazing for my daughter and the bond she and I could create, but it is like a second full-time job! Doctors might tell you breastfeeding will help you lose the baby weight incredibly fast. Of course, that was a selfish reason to start, but the whole experience was amazing, and for 14 months, I was set on providing nourishment for my child as best I could. I fed her as often as I could and pumped at work. When I felt a dip in my supply, I did everything in my power to make sure I was still able to maintain.
When I went back to work and during certain times of the month, I would notice a dip in my supply. On many occasions, I felt like Gollum crying, “My precious liquid gold,” but we made it through the rough times, and I was ecstatic to continue my journey.
I was very close to the lactation consultant where I gave birth, and I would see her once a week to ask the most ridiculous questions about anything and everything. She was more than patient with me and had such amazing support. We would meet in a group with other nursing mothers and discuss the trials and tribulations of motherhood.
I quickly learned the different foods that would help boost my supply in case of a dip. Surprise…alcohol is on the list! Some of the most delicious milk supply-boosting foods are:
- Oatmeal (although steel-cut is the most helpful, instant oatmeal works, too).
- Berries
- Sweet potato
- Eggplant
- Yogurt
- Almonds
- WATER
Ginger and garlic add flavor to your supply while increasing its amount. Although they add little to no flavor boosters, adding flaxseed and brewer’s yeast to any recipe will also boost your supply.
How could I forget, BEER?! The barley used to create beer aids in stimulation and increases prolactin. Scientifically speaking, non-alcoholic beer also yields the same outcome, even though it doesn’t take the edge off of listening to the baby crying for hours on end.
My favorite of all was lactation cookies. Contrary to popular belief, milk-boosting cookies do not contain actual breast milk. However, they are delicious and deceiving to others. My husband loves to eat any of the cookies I make, including these cookies. Before eating them, he had no idea they were specifically made to help increase my milk supply and, quite frankly, didn’t care afterward.
I received the recipe from a mom I met during my weekly lactation meetups. I made them so often that I memorized the recipe. You can try using this one.
Please feel free to add or leave out anything to suit your taste. Although this recipe was passed on to me, I have adapted it many times to suit my cravings, including adding dried cranberries, a little orange zest, and white chocolate. YUM!
