MOTHERS MILK SMOOTHIE

Now I’m not a lactation expert by any means, but I am breast feeding 3 babies so I have been doing my research on how to increase my milk supply. There are lots of things you need to do in order to increase your supply, such as get heaps of rest (yeah right!), drink lots of water and eat extra calories – basically, looking after yourself!

Aside from looking after yourself (which isn’t always easy to do when you’re looking after little ones), you can also treat yourself while boosting your milk supply. This is one of my favorite Smoothie recipes that I have created based on ingredients that are all said to increase lactation, and it’s delicious!

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup of rolled-oats

½ cup of greek yogurt

1 banana

1 cup of coconut water

1 small handful of almonds

1 teaspoon of honey

¼ ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

In a blender, combine oats, yogurt, banana, coconut water, almonds, honey and cinnamon with ice and blend until smooth. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve immediately.

OATS

Some people think it’s an old wives’ tale, but eating oats can help to increase milk supply and as a bonus, have properties that support the immune system. Oats impact the milk-making hormones produced by the pituitary gland.

NUTS

High in proteins and essential fatty acids, nuts are the perfect compliment to any diet. The amino acids in nuts are building blocks for serotonin, which is a necessary neurotransmitter for lactation. The best nuts for improving milk production are almonds, whether by the handful raw or through almond milk. Almonds are also rich in Omega-3 and Vitamin E.

COWS MILK / YOHGURT

Cow’s Milk has calcium and EFA. It promotes lactation. If you’re lactose intolerant, I would suggest substituting this with almond milk or coconut yogurt which you can usually find at the health food store.

COCONUT WATER

Staying hydrated is essential when breastfeeding. Coconut water is naturally isotonic, which means it contains mineral salts needed by the body that can be low when dehydrated.

Note: Although all of these foods and herbs may help increase milk supply, they will not correct poor supply problems caused by a poor latch or restricted feeding. Always consult a doctor, midwife or lactation consultant first to get advice on technique and feeding patterns.