Breastfeeding has been a tough journey. My milk did not come in fast enough for either of my children, and I struggled to produce what they needed. Postpartum, I was also extra thirsty and could not eat fast enough. Despite all that, I refused to give up. I read tons of blogs and researched endlessly to get any possible advice, suggestion, or idea that could possibly help. I quickly realized what I ate and drank could be optimized to help boost my supply. Best of all, it did not need to cost a ton.
I wanted to help other moms out there (like me!) who are fighting to not give up on breastfeeding but struggling to make it through those first few months. I outlined the things I focused on in both the food and drink category so anyone who is looking has a quick cheat sheet.
What I focused on drinking:
- Water - I have a big water bottle handy at all times.
- Lactation tea - Great substitute for a morning coffee or to warm you up on a cold day.
- Peach tea - I’m usually not a tea drinker and love my coffee, but peach tea is amazing and a tasty change that helps me stay hydrated.
What I focused on eating:
- Lactation cookies - that include oats, flax seed, brewers yeast, and coconut oil. Check out my lactation cookie recipes!
- Protein - I could not get enough protein when I was pregnant and postpartum (I definitely ate a few whole cows ;)). In my tired slump I focused on quick easy proteins to cook. Eggs, beef, chicken, pork and tofu were my go-tos.
- Complex carbs - Oats, beans, lentils, brown rice, whole grains (beans and lentils can be done in the crockpot)
- Veggies - I focused on iron-rich veggies because I struggled with iron issues. Spinach, broccoli, string beans and sweet potatoes.
I wish you the best of luck in your breastfeeding journey and hope these tips help you use your extra appetite to boost your supply!
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