Increasing Milk Supply

 

Welp. I took my cutie pie Nora into her 6 month doctor appointment last week and found out that she has dropped from the 40th percentile in weight to the 9th percentile. It's pretty hard for me to hear. I had great plans to nurse Nora exclusively for 8 months and never introduce a bottle. But, alas, sometimes things don't go as planned.

I've successfully breastfed two of my children without milk supply issues. With the other two, I had to stop breastfeeding at 4 months and 8 months. And now, here I am with my 5th baby. Her doctor is telling me my milk supply must not be where it should be. I'm pretty heartbroken. This is my last baby, and I wanted to really enjoy this last time breastfeeding. I love it so much, and I don't want it to end so early.

He sent me home with a bunch of formula, and I have put it away for now. I really don't want to use it. Don't get me wrong, I have bottle fed two of my kids and I don't think that each mother has to do things the way that she thinks is best. But, I really have a strong desire to nurse as long as possible. And I know as soon as I start supplementing, my milk will dry up. My baby is happy and looks healthy, so until she starts acting like she needs more than what I am giving her, I'm going to continue breastfeeding and doing everything I can to increase my milk supply.

So, I'm doing several things and have already noticed an increase in supply! I am so hopeful!! Here is what I have learned through my research and that have been prescribed to me by a doctor that you could implement in your diet and regime if you are struggling with the same issue:

1. Apply 1 drop of Fennel and Basil topically to support increased milk supply; avoiding the nipple area. I try to do this after Nora is done eating so that the smell isn't too strong while she is nursing. (If you would like to purchase these essential oils for your regime, message me and I'll help you out!)

2. Drink Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Herbal Tea every morning. This tea is supportive to increasing milk supply as well. I first heard about it at my pediatrician's office and immediately went to Whole Foods to purchase. It is an acquired taste, but I don't mind it. And I'll do just about anything to help with this!

3. Take 2 capsules of Fenugreek every morning and night. Another supplement known to increase milk supply. I am using the brand "Nature's Way," and purchased this at Whole Foods as well.

4. Eat foods that are known to increase milk supply like oatmeal, brown rice, spinach, asparagus, salmon, apricots, papaya, hummus, and carrots. This is a great article that talks about why each of those things are important.

5. Increase Water Intake! It seems pretty obvious to me that if you are dehydrated, your body will have a harder time producing milk. I am currently trying to drink a gallon everyday. It's a doable challenge!

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Green Eggs: WHOLE30

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today's lunch was made with the holiday in mind. It's a fun one!

I'm nearing the end of Day 4. Kinda sluggish today. A little bit cloudy and I have a some head discomfort. (Check out that compliant language, DoTerra!) Thank goodness for my essential oils that are getting me through the day. I applied peppermint to my head to relieve the discomfort I was feeling, and diffused Balance to help me handle kids when my brain was a little foggy. I'm so grateful for the physical and emotional support oils can give when you do something hard like Whole30!

These eggs are divine, ya'll. And they are a great way to get in the greens your body may be craving. My kids even like them! They have no idea how much kale is hidden inside these eggs. They do have a bit of a dryer texture than normal eggs because I like to really pack in the good stuff. It's not exactly a "recipe" per se, but in case you like instructions, here ya go:

GREEN EGGS
A generous handful (1-2 c.) of your favorite greens (I used a combination of spinach, kale and chard)
4 eggs

Blend ingredients in a blender. Transfer to a pan heated to medium heat. Scramble. Enjoy! I served this with fresh tomatoes and an Whole30-compliant apple sausage.

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Grilled Shrimp over Cauliflower Rice: WHOLE30

Um...this dinner was everything. So incredibly simple. Easy. Delicious! And I had it again for breakfast today. Cause, you know, no rules. That's my Whole30 motto! (Except that there are a ton of rules. But, ya know, it helps me cope.)

GRILLED SHRIMP
2 lbs large raw shrimp, peeled
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
Pinch of chili powder
Squeeze lemon

Heat grill pan to medium-high heat. Place the shrimp in a big bowl and add olive oil and toss with seasonings. Cook shimp. (DO NOT over cook. As soon as they turn red, they're done.) Drizzle lemon juice, and serve over cauliflower rice. I also served with a side of roasted veggies...which I kinda forgot about in the oven. So they're a little well-done! haha!

I buy my cauliflower rice at Trader Joes, but you can make your own, too.

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Sweet Potato Hash: Whole30

Whole30? It's tough, guys. But I'm 1/30th of the way done. And it is doable. If I can do it one day, I can do it thirty. Right?!

This is what we had for dinner on day one. Looks like breakfast to you? I'm throwing caution to the wind and all rules out the door for the next thirty days.

SWEET POTATO HASH RECIPE
1 large sweet potato
1 big pinch of kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Garlic powder to taste
Dried Onion to taste
Dash of dried herbs
 2 tablespoons fat

Peel your sweet potatoes. Grate them in a food processor. Add the seasonings. Heat the fat in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, then add potatoes. Stir fry, allowing to brown. Then, cover with a lid to finish cooking. Done when hash is tender and a little browned. Top with an egg cooked to your liking.

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