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Navigating the journey of motherhood comes with countless questions, especially when it comes to nourishing your little one. Among these questions, timing is everything—particularly when it comes to supporting your breastfeeding journey naturally.
If you're reading this, you're likely either preparing for your breastfeeding journey or already knee-deep in midnight feedings and wondering if there's a natural way to support your milk supply. First of all, congratulations on this beautiful chapter of life!
Second, yes—breastfeeding teas like our Myrtle & Maude Milk Flow Tea can be wonderful allies on this journey, but timing matters.
Many new mothers ask us: "When should I start drinking breastfeeding tea?" It's a question that deserves a thoughtful answer, not a one-size-fits-all response. After all, every mother's body is unique, and so is every breastfeeding experience.
Today, we're diving into the optimal timing for incorporating our lactation-supporting tea into your routine, how to use it effectively, and what results you might expect. Consider this your friendly guide to navigating the world of galactagogues (fancy word for milk-boosting substances) in tea form!
The average breastfeeding mother produces about 750-800ml of milk daily. That's roughly three cups of liquid gold your amazing body creates every single day!
During Pregnancy or After Birth?
This is perhaps the most common timing question we receive, and it comes with an important distinction:
During Pregnancy: Generally speaking, most lactation experts recommend waiting until after your baby has arrived before starting lactation teas. Why? Because the herbs that stimulate milk production (like fenugreek in our Milk Flow Tea) work by mimicking some of the hormones involved in lactation—hormones that are carefully balanced during pregnancy for different purposes.
However our herbalist suggests its safe from the 38 week mark of pregnancy – as this is when you winding down to your expected due date.
After Birth: The ideal time to begin incorporating breastfeeding tea is typically in the early postpartum period, once your milk has come in. This usually happens around 2-5 days after delivery. Starting too early (before your milk comes in) won't necessarily boost supply, as your body is still transitioning from colostrum to mature milk production.
If this is your first breastfeeding experience, we recommend waiting until your milk supply has established—typically around the 1 week postpartum mark —before incorporating lactation teas. This gives your body time to naturally establish its rhythm based on your baby's needs.
For mothers who have breastfed before and know they typically struggle with supply, some lactation consultants suggest starting breastfeeding tea slightly earlier—around day 3-5 postpartum when your milk is coming in.
Many mothers don't think about lactation support until they encounter challenges. If you're a few weeks or months into your breastfeeding journey and notice a dip in supply, that's also a perfectly appropriate time to introduce a breastfeeding tea. Changes in supply can happen for numerous reasons—returning to work, hormonal shifts, changes in feeding schedule, or even just stress (and let's be honest, new parenthood comes with its fair share of that!).
During Pregnancy
Most herbalists and healthcare providers recommend avoiding herbs specifically intended to increase milk production during pregnancy.
At Myrtle & Maude, we've crafted different teas for different stages of the motherhood journey precisely for this reason.
If you're pregnant and preparing for breastfeeding, we recommend our Raspberry Leaf Tea for the third trimester, which helps tone the uterus without affecting hormones related to milk production.
However, with that said if you want to prep earlier then the earliest we would recommend drinking is at 38 weeks pregnant – but please ask your health care provider before starting any new herbal product when pregnant as they know your personal medical history and any medications you might be taking.
During Early Lactation
When you're in those first precious days with your newborn, your body is working hard to establish milk production based on your baby's needs. This is primarily driven by the principle of supply and demand—the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body produces.
During this time (the first 1-2 weeks), focus primarily on:
Frequent nursing sessions
Good latch and positioning
Skin-to-skin contact
Adequate hydration and nutrition
Once this foundation is established, our Milk Flow Tea can complement these essential practices—not replace them.
During Established Breastfeeding
Once breastfeeding is well-established (typically after the first couple of weeks), breastfeeding teas can be a wonderful way to maintain and support your natural supply. This is especially true during growth spurts, when returning to work, or when you're starting to pump and store milk.
Finding the Right Schedule
Once you've determined it's the appropriate time to start a breastfeeding tea, how should you include it in your daily routine?
Here's a gentle framework:
Start gradually: Begin with one cup daily, preferably in the morning or early afternoon. This allows you to monitor how your body responds.
Build consistency: After 2-3 days, if you're tolerating the tea well, increase to 2-3 cups spread throughout the day. Consistency matters more than quantity—regular consumption of smaller amounts tends to be more effective than occasional large doses.
Optimal timing: Many mothers find drinking a cup about an hour before they expect to nurse or pump can be helpful, as some of the herbs may take a little time to support milk production.
At Myrtle & Maude, our Milk Flow Tea is formulated to be gentle yet effective with its carefully balanced blend of:
Fenugreek: A traditional galactagogue used for centuries
Aniseed: Supports digestion and milk production
Fennel Seed: Helps increase milk production and reduce colic in babies
German Chamomile: Promotes relaxation, which can help with let-down
Caraway Seed: Supports digestion and milk flow
Nettle Leaf: Rich in iron and minerals to support overall postpartum health
All ingredients in our Milk Flow Tea are Certified Organic, Certified Vegan, and packaged in biodegradable tea bags—because we believe what's good for you should also be good for the planet your little one will inherit.
Stay hydrated: Remember that our breastfeeding tea complements—not replaces—your water intake. Continue drinking plenty of water throughout the day
Enjoy it mindfully: Use your tea breaks as mini self-care moments. Even three minutes of quiet sipping can be restorative during busy newborn days
Track patterns: Consider noting in a journal when you drink the tea and any changes in milk supply, which can help you identify your optimal schedule
While breastfeeding teas are generally safe when used appropriately, more is not always better. We recommend limiting consumption to 3-4 cups daily of our Milk Flow Tea. Excessive consumption of galactagogues can occasionally lead to:
Oversupply issues(which can cause discomfort and increase risk of plugged ducts)
Digestive discomfort for both mother and baby (as some components pass through breast milk)
Diminishing returns (your body can only respond so much to the active compounds)
Typical Results Timeline
When used properly, breastfeeding teas like our Milk Flow blend typically show results within the following timeline:
1-2 weeks: With consistent use, this is when most mothers report more significant and stable increases in supply.
Ongoing maintenance: Once you've achieved a comfortable supply, many mothers switch to a maintenance approach, having 1-2 cups daily or using the tea as needed during supply dips.
It's important to acknowledge that responses to galactagogues vary widely. Factors that influence your response include:
Your individual metabolism and how it processes herbs
The age of your baby and established feeding patterns
Other aspects of your diet and lifestyle
Whether you're exclusively breastfeeding or supplementing
Your stress levels and sleep quality (both affect the hormone oxytocin, which is crucial for milk let-down)
Breastfeeding burns approximately 500 calories per day! That's equivalent to about 45 minutes of running—all while you might be sitting comfortably with a cup of our Milk Flow Tea.
While we're on the topic of supporting your breastfeeding journey with our Milk Flow Tea, let's remember why this journey is so valuable:
For Baby:
Provides perfect nutrition that changes to meet baby's needs
Contains antibodies that boost immunity
Reduces risk of infections, allergies, and certain chronic conditions
Promotes healthy weight and cognitive development
Creates strong bonding opportunities
For Mother:
Helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size faster
May reduce risk of certain cancers and osteoporosis
Can help with postpartum weight management
Saves time and money compared to formula
Releases oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that promote bonding and can help reduce postpartum depression risk
Supporting this beautiful, beneficial relationship between you and your baby is exactly why we created our Milk Flow Tea at Myrtle & Maude.
When choosing something as important as a breastfeeding support tea, quality matters—both for you and your baby. Our Milk Flow Tea, like all Myrtle & Maude products, is formulated with the highest standards:
Herbalist-Formulated: Our pregnancy range is carefully formulated by expert herbalists who understand the specific needs of each stage of the motherhood journey.
Certified Organic: We use only certified organic ingredients, ensuring you're not consuming pesticides or chemicals during this sensitive time.
GMO-Free: All ingredients are natural and non-genetically modified.
Biodegradable Tea Bags: Our commitment to your baby's future extends to environmental responsibility.
Caffeine-Free: Because you need support without stimulants that might affect sleep (yours or baby's!).
Comprehensive Support: Beyond our Milk Flow Tea, Myrtle & Maude offers supportive products for every stage of motherhood—from fertility to postpartum recovery
The journey of motherhood isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is the perfect timing for incorporating breastfeeding tea. Whether you're proactively supporting your supply from the early postpartum days, responding to challenges weeks or months in, or preparing for transitions like returning to work, the key is listening to your body and your baby.
Remember that while our Milk Flow Tea can be a wonderful support, it works best alongside the fundamentals of successful breastfeeding: frequent nursing or pumping, proper latch, adequate rest, hydration, and nutrition.
We at Myrtle & Maude are honoured to be part of your motherhood journey. From fertility tea to morning sickness support, from third-trimester preparation to postpartum recovery and breastfeeding—our organic, thoughtfully formulated products are designed to support you every step of the way.
JULIA: IMAGE
Our gentle yet effective blend comes in convenient biodegradable tea bags, making it easy to incorporate into your busy mom life. With 15 tea bags per package, you'll have plenty to establish a consistent routine and discover the difference quality, organic ingredients can make in supporting your breastfeeding journey.
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. (2022). "ABM Clinical Protocol #9: Use of Galactogogues in Initiating or Augmenting Maternal Milk Production." Breastfeeding Medicine, 16(5), 371-381.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/bfm.2018.29092.wjb
American Pregnancy Association. (2023). "Breastfeeding: Overview and Benefits."https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-overview/
La Leche League International. (2023). "Herbs and Breastfeeding: Safety and Efficacy."https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/herbs/
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While herbal teas can support breastfeeding, they should complement—not replace—proper breastfeeding techniques, adequate nutrition, and hydration. Individual results may vary. If you're experiencing significant challenges with milk supply, please consult with a lactation consultant or healthcare provider. Always inform your healthcare provider about any supplements or herbal products you're taking while pregnant or breastfeeding. Myrtle & Maude Milk Flow Tea is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
