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Your guide to finding the perfect balance for optimal breastfeeding support with Myrtle & Maude's organic Milk Flow Tea
Breastfeeding, while natural, doesn't always come naturally. Many new mothers find themselves wondering if they're producing enough milk to nourish their little ones. If you've welcomed a tiny human into your life, you might be familiar with that 3 AM panic: "Is my baby getting enough?" Enter lactation tea – a gentle, natural companion on your breastfeeding journey.
But like any relationship, it's all about balance. Too little might not give you the boost you need, while too much... well, let's just say there is such a thing as too much of a good thing (even when it comes to milk production). So how often should you actually be sipping on that lactation-boosting brew? Let's pour ourselves a cup and dive in.
Understanding Lactation Tea: Nature's Milk Booster
Before we discuss frequency, let's understand what makes lactation tea work its magic. Lactation teas contain galactagogues – herbs that have been used for centuries to help increase milk production. These herbs work by stimulating the milk ducts and hormone pathways involved in lactation.
At Myrtle & Maude, our Milk Flow Tea is thoughtfully formulated with a powerful blend of organic ingredients known for their lactation-supporting properties:
What sets our tea apart is not just what's in it, but what isn't. Our Milk Flow Tea is caffeine-free, certified organic, certified vegan, and comes in biodegradable tea bags that are GMO-free. Because what goes into your body goes into your baby's – and we believe both deserve only the purest ingredients.
The General Guidelines
For most breastfeeding mothers, the sweet spot tends to be1-3 cups of lactation tea per day. This typically provides enough of the active herbs to support milk production without overwhelming your system or your baby's.
Starting out: Begin with one cup daily, preferably in the morning
Maintenance: 2-3 cups spread throughout the day
During supply dips: Drink 3 cups daily for a short period
Remember that consistency is key. Regular consumption is more effective than occasional larger amounts.
Finding Your Personal Rhythm
While the 1-3 cups guideline works for most, your body might march to the beat of its own drum. Several factors can influence how much lactation tea will be optimal for you:
1. Your Individual Response -Some mothers are more sensitive to galactagogues than others. If you notice your supply increasing significantly after just one cup daily, there's no need to drink more. Listen to your body's signals.
2. Your Baby's Age and Feeding Patterns
Newborn stage (0-3 months): This is when establishing supply is crucial. You might benefit from the higher end of the range (2-3 cups daily)
Established nursing (3+ months): Once your supply is established, you might only need 1-2 cups daily for maintenance
During growth spurts: When baby is cluster feeding and demanding more, a temporary increase to 3 cups daily can help your supply keep up
3. Your Overall Diet and Hydration - Lactation tea works best as part of a well-rounded approach to breastfeeding support. If your overall nutrition and hydration are excellent, you might need less tea. If you're struggling with proper nutrition (hello, new mama life!), the tea might play a more significant role in your supply support.
4. Return to Work or Pumping Schedule Changes -Transitions like returning to work or changes in your pumping routine can affect your supply. During these periods, you might benefit from an additional cup daily to help maintain production.
Your body and baby are the best indicators of whether your current lactation tea routine is working for you. Here are some signals to watch for:
When you drink your lactation tea can be almost as important as how much you drink. Here's our suggested timing schedule for optimal results:
Morning Cup (7-9 AM):Start your day with warm lactation tea about 30 minutes before or after breakfast. Morning hormones are already primed for production, and this gives them an extra boost.
Midday Cup (1-3 PM):If you're drinking a second cup, the afternoon is an ideal time, especially if you notice your supply tends to dip later in the day.
Evening Cup (7-9 PM): An evening cup can help support night feeding, but thanks to the chamomile in our Milk Flow Tea, it may also help you relax and prepare for whatever sleep your little one allows you to get!
Avoid drinking all your daily cups at once. Spreading them throughout the day provides more consistent support to your milk production system.
Did you know? Your breastfeeding journey is quite the marvel of nature. Here are some fascinating facts that might make you appreciate that liquid gold even more:
Your body is a milk GPS:When your baby latches, your body can actually determine what pathogens they've been exposed to and customise your milk with antibodies specifically targeted to what your baby needs!
Night-time milk is different:Your breast milk's composition changes throughout the day. Evening and night-time milk contains more melatonin and relaxing compounds to help your baby sleep.
Temperature control:Your breasts can actually adjust their temperature to help regulate your baby's body temperature – functioning like a natural incubator!
Left side, right side:Most women produce more milk from their right breast, regardless of whether they're right or left-handed.
Distance record:The Guinness World Record for breast milk squirting distance is an impressive 10 feet 2 inches. Now there's a talent you probably don't want to demonstrate at family gatherings!
While fed is certainly best, and every mother's journey is unique, there are some remarkable benefits to breastfeeding that make all those middle-of-the-night feedings worthwhile:
To maximise the benefits of Myrtle & Maude's Milk Flow Tea, consider these tips for integrating it into your overall breastfeeding support plan:
Brewing for Maximum Potency
The way you prepare your tea matters! For optimal extraction of the beneficial compounds:
Use fresh, filtered water
Bring water to a boil, then let it cool for about 1 minute (to approximately 95°C/203°F)
Steep for 5-7 minutes, covered
For a stronger effect, you can steep for up to 10 minutes
Add a touch of honey (if desired) – not only for taste but honey also has its own lactation-supporting properties
Certain foods can enhance the effectiveness of lactation tea:
Oats:Start your day with oatmeal and a cup of Milk Flow Tea
Almonds and other nuts: Make a small trail mix to nibble on with your afternoon tea
Dark leafy greens:A lunch salad followed by tea makes a powerful milk-boosting combo
Hydration:Always pair your tea with additional water – proper hydration is crucial for milk production
One often overlooked aspect of milk production is the effect of stress. High stress levels can inhibit the let-down reflex and reduce overall production. Creating a calming ritual around your daily tea can help:
At Myrtle & Maude, we understand the pregnancy and postpartum journey because we've been there. Our entire pregnancy range is carefully formulated by experienced herbalists who specialise in women's reproductive health.
We're proud to offer support for every stage of your journey:
Morning sickness:Our ginger-based teas and vitamin B6-infused Ginger Gin sweets
Fertility support:Specially formulated tea to support women trying to conceive
Third trimester preparation: Traditional raspberry leaf tea
Breastfeeding support: Our Milk Flow Tea
Postpartum recovery: Healing blends to support your body after birth
What makes all our products special is our commitment to purity.
Every Myrtle & Maude product is:
We believe that nature provides everything needed to support women through the miraculous journey of creating and nourishing life.
The journey of breastfeeding is as unique as your fingerprint – or your baby's tiny toes. While general guidelines suggest 1-3 cups of lactation tea daily for optimal support, your perfect amount may vary based on your body, your baby, and your circumstances.
Start with one cup daily, observe how your body responds, and adjust accordingly. Remember that lactation tea is a support tool, not a magic solution. Combine it with proper nutrition, adequate hydration, regular nursing or pumping, and most importantly – gentle self-care.
At Myrtle & Maude, we're honoured to be part of your breastfeeding journey. Our Milk Flow Tea is crafted with the perfect blend of organic herbs to help you nourish your little one with confidence.
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee. (2018). "ABM Clinical Protocol #9: Use of Galactogogues in Initiating or Augmenting Maternal Milk Production." Breastfeeding Medicine, 13(5), 307-314.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/bfm.2018.29092.wjb
Bazzano, A. N., Hofer, R., Thibeau, S., Gillispie, V., Jacobs, M., & Theall, K. P. (2016). "A Review of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Galactagogues for Breast-Feeding." The Ochsner Journal, 16(4), 511-524.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5158159/
Mortel, M., & Mehta, S. D. (2013). "Systematic review of the efficacy of herbal galactogogues." Journal of Human Lactation, 29(2), 154-162.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0890334413477243
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before adding any herbal supplements to your breastfeeding routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. While herbal lactation teas are generally considered safe, individual responses may vary. Myrtle & Maude products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
