Tea to increase lactation: a review of popular lactation drinks and whether they really help

Updated: 06/02/2021 Even the best artificial feeding will not replace mother's milk, which contains everything necessary for the full development of the child. That is why women, faced with the problem of insufficient milk production, resort to various methods of stimulation. The basis is frequent latching of the baby to the breast, sufficient fluid intake, and the use of herbal teas based on lactogonic herbs.

Despite the skepticism of medical workers regarding traditional medicine, herbal remedies not only continue to be popular among the population, but are also often recommended by doctors for additional preventive measures. Especially during breastfeeding, when the use of medications must be avoided at all costs.

Lactation teas are a combination of several herbs that improve milk flow. Some of them have been tested and their effectiveness has been confirmed, others remain strictly grandmother's remedies.

Most often used in collections:

• Fennel.
• Caraway.
• Anise.
• Melissa.
• Galega (goat's rue officinalis).
• Oregano.
• Nettle.
• Peppermint.

Fennel is considered milk-producing, due to the fact that it has always been consumed by women during breastfeeding, but this property is in doubt. The main reason for including fennel in herbal teas is its effectiveness in combating colic in children.

The number of plants in the composition may vary, some contain vitamin supplements.

According to the form of release, they are distinguished:

• Granulated.
  Packaged in a jar with a lid, it dissolves well even in warm water.
• Bagged.
  The release form is similar to regular tea; the package usually contains 20 bags, which must be brewed and steeped for about 10 minutes. Sometimes more - it’s worth studying the manufacturer’s instructions.

Plants, in parallel with their positive effects, most often have a number of contraindications that should be studied before purchasing.

Features of herbs:

• Melissa.
  The most harmless of plants, it has no significant contraindications.
• Nettle.
  Increases blood clotting; should not be taken if you are prone to thrombosis.
• Fennel.
  Reduces blood pressure, should not be taken for hypotension.
• Anise.
  Contraindicated for gastrointestinal diseases.
• Caraway.
  Do not use if you have gastritis or gallbladder disease.
• Galega.
  Chemical analysis of the plant revealed the presence of toxic substances. In small doses they do not pose a threat, but you should not drink a drink with galega too often and for a long time, at least without consulting a doctor.

Modern manufacturers offer a huge selection of products, from classic collections to vitamin drinks. We present the rating of teas for lactation 2021. The best 12 products that were selected by our experts based on user reviews and ratings.

There are contraindications, be sure to consult your doctor!

Which lactation tea is best to buy?

The first thing to remember: herbal tea is a helper, not a panacea. Only with an integrated approach, including frequent latching of the baby to the breast, consumption of large amounts of liquid, and the use of herbal remedies, can a positive result be expected.

When it comes to choosing tea, there are several main criteria:

• Release form.
  If you like the granular version, you should pay attention to HiPP “Fruit with vitamins”, Bebivita, HiPP Natal. Fans of sachets can choose from Bebivita in sachets, Evalar LaktoMama, Fleur Alpine, and Babushkino Lukoshko.
• Time of receipt.
  Herbal infusions are not recommended for use during pregnancy, but some manufacturers have a different opinion about their products. Two examples from our selection are Bebivita in bags and HiPP Natal. Therefore, if you need to start taking it before birth, it is worth considering these two options, after consulting with your doctor.
• Effect on the child.
  Each plant has a certain chemical composition that penetrates into the milk and enters the child’s body. To relieve your baby from colic, it is recommended to take formulations containing fennel. It is included in almost all fees for nursing, but most often a positive effect is noted in relation to Bebivita, Health “Mom’s tea”, HiPP Natal.
• Range of action.
  If you want to experiment, you can replace the standard herbal mixture with a vitamin complex, such as HiPP “Fruit with Vitamins”. This option is also suitable for those who do not like the “hay taste” or are afraid of the side effects of plants. “Lactogon” combines vitamins with microelements, herbs, plus iodine - an ideal option for promoting health. An easier option: “Granny’s Basket” with rose hips.

Products to increase lactation

To stimulate the production of breast milk, a nursing mother can include special products in her diet, for example, Lactamil. It contains a complex of special herbs that give a lactogenic effect: cumin, nettle, anise, fennel. "Lactamil" contains not only herbs, but also milk protein, fatty acids, dietary fiber, a complex of vitamins, and microelements. Their combination can promote rapid recovery after childbirth and increase the quantity and quality of breast milk. Unlike folk recipes and homemade “herbal remedies,” lactation products undergo clinical trials and have precise dosages of medicinal plants.

Additional effect of herbs

At the beginning of the article, we looked at the contraindications of herbs that you should pay attention to when choosing. But plants have a whole range of qualities (except for stimulating milk production), some of them positive.

Worth considering:

• For a calming effect, you should take lemon balm mixtures.
• Nettle is useful for vitamin deficiencies, liver diseases, gall bladder, and anemia.
• Fennel lowers blood pressure, soothes, and has an antispasmodic effect.
• Cumin is an antiseptic, diuretic, antidepressant, and helps improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Galega (goat's rue officinalis) is used in folk medicine for diabetes, has diaphoretic and diuretic properties.

Taking into account these features of herbs, you can choose a collection that will perform an additional function - have a therapeutic effect if a woman has certain health problems.
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The process of breast milk formation

During lactation, the concentration of certain hormones in the mother's blood increases. Prolactin is the main hormone that triggers milk production. Its formation is supported by frequent breastfeeding.

To ensure sufficient milk secretion, on average, it is necessary to latch on to the baby at least 12 times a day (including at night). Babies for the first three months are fed on demand. Due to frequent and prolonged sucking, the body of a nursing woman receives signals to form a new secretion.

The entire lactation process is based on two basic principles:

1. the more often breast stimulation occurs, the higher milk production;
2. the more secretion is excreted, the more abundantly it is produced.

Drinking cannot affect the volume of milk secretion. Even if you use tea for nursing mothers, but neglect the key conditions for successful breastfeeding, no positive changes will occur. But if a woman often feeds her baby and at the same time drinks, for example, tea with milk for lactation, she is unlikely to encounter a shortage of breast milk.

Review of popular drinks

There are many teas to increase lactation of different compositions and brands. They are produced in filter bags, granules, and in bulk. The following are the most common herbal drinks.

Hipp

The product is produced by a German manufacturer. Hipp tea is absolutely safe for baby and mother. The collection consists of fruits, berries, medicinal herbs, a vitamin and mineral complex necessary for women during breastfeeding. The drink does not contain chemical components (dyes, preservatives), as well as gluten and lactose, and rarely causes allergic reactions.

Hipp tea comes in granules and bags. The first option is much more common. To brew the mixture, you need to pour 1 - 2 m spoons of the composition into 1 tbsp. hot boiled water. Drink the resulting liquid within 15–20 minutes. before breastfeeding the baby. The average price for a package of tea (weighing 0.2 kg) is 300 rubles.

Humana

Another high quality tea is Humana. The drink is enriched with vitamin C, helps normalize the digestive system and strengthen the body's protective functions. Plant components can improve the production of breast milk and prolong the lactation period.

One can (volume 0.2 kg) is designed for 45 servings of the finished drink, 100 ml each. The lactogenic agent must be consumed ¼ hour before feeding the baby. The cost of Humana tea does not exceed 150 rubles.

Lactavit

Lactavit is a domestically produced product designed to improve lactation. Available in individual bags and in bulk, it has a specific taste. The collection contains caraway and anise seeds, nettle leaves, and fennel. The drink stimulates the production of breast secretions, normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, calms the nervous system, and has a positive effect on the quality of sleep of the baby and mother.

To brew herbal tea, you need to place a bag with healing contents in a glass with 100 ml of boiling water. Leave for 10 minutes. Consume within 30 minutes. before feeding the baby. A package of Lactavit with 20 sachets will cost mommy 170 rubles.

Grandma's basket

Babushkino Lukoshko is a herbal tea produced by a Russian manufacturer. The drink stimulates lactation, eliminates cramps, bloating, intestinal colic, stabilizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and has a calming effect on the central nervous system.

A tea bag is brewed in a glass of boiling water. Take the resulting product within 15 minutes. before putting the baby to the breast. The average price is 105 rubles.

Babyvita

Bebivita tea for nursing mothers contains chokeberry and hawthorn berries, lemon balm, cilantro, lovage, and rose petals. The drink has a specific taste, but it smells nice. To improve the taste, it is allowed to add a small amount of milk to the brewed mixture.

Tea is prepared according to the standard procedure - a bag of medicinal raw materials is placed in a glass of boiling water. Consume within 20 – 30 minutes. before feeding. The average cost per package is 150 rubles.

Nestik

Nestik is an instant granulated tea with glucose, the effect of which is aimed at stimulating lactation. It has a pleasant taste, helps to calm down and relax. To make the drink, dissolve 1 m of granules (heaped) in a glass of warm boiled water. A jar of herbal tea (volume 0.2 kg) will cost a nursing woman 115 rubles.

Leros Baby

Herbal tea Leros Baby is produced in the Czech Republic. The packaging contains paired bags without labels. To brew the mixture, you need to tear off one filter bag along the line and place it in a glass of boiling water. Leave for 10 minutes. Take immediately after brewing, but no more than 2 times a day. This product is great for relieving babies of colic and flatulence. The average price of a package of such herbal tea is 85 rubles.

Lactaphytol

The composition of herbal tea to improve lactation includes: nettle leaves, anise seeds, caraway seeds, fennel, dill. Tea has a lactogenic, antispasmodic, and carminative effect. In addition, the drink improves appetite and the functioning of the digestive system. The product is contraindicated for use during pregnancy.

To take it, you need to brew 1 – 2 sachets in a glass of hot boiled water. Drink tea to enhance lactation 2 times a day. The average cost is 190 rubles.

Weleda

Weleda lactation tea contains anise, fennel, cumin seeds, fenugreek herb, and knotweed. This composition helps to enhance secretion production and prolong the period of natural feeding of the baby. The product has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract of mother and baby, improves appetite and quality of sleep.

Before use, brew 1 tea bag with a glass of boiling water and leave for 5 minutes to infuse. The allowed daily volume of the drink is 3 – 5 cups. The price of a package with 20 filter bags varies from 650 to 850 rubles.

BIO Lactomama

Herbal tea for nursing mothers produced by Evalar contains herbs grown in the foothills of Altai, free from pesticides and chemicals. To preserve valuable properties, the manufacturer additionally packages each sachet in an individual envelope. Thanks to the instant processing of raw materials with steam, the herbal mixture retains the maximum amount of beneficial qualities.

Before taking, the bag should be brewed with a glass of hot boiled liquid and left for a few minutes to infuse. Drink no more than 3 – 5 cups per day. The average cost of a package is 130 rubles.

How to check if your baby has enough milk

The desire to drink “lactogonics” is often dictated by the mother’s anxiety about the amount of her milk. Women come to the conclusion that their baby is not eating enough if:

• they manage to express less milk than they expected;
• the breasts stopped filling too much and became soft;
• the feeling of “tide” has disappeared or become dull;
• The child began to ask for the breast more often.

In reality, the main criterion for the sufficiency of breast milk is gains. If in the first six months of life the baby gains more than 20 g per day (500 g per month), the mother can be sure that he is well-fed. In this case, you can additionally count the number of urinations. A healthy, well-nourished baby pees 10-12 times a day. Under such conditions, talking about a lack of breast milk is groundless.

If the weight gain and/or the number of urinations is less than the indicated figures, there is indeed cause for concern. It is important to find the reason for the current situation. A lactation consultant will help eliminate possible errors in the organization of feedings, correct latching and give recommendations on increasing milk secretion. At the same time, problems with the baby’s health should be ruled out. After all, they can also prevent him from gaining weight.

It happens that a woman drinks tea to increase lactation in order to feel psychological confidence in her ability to feed the baby. However, such means cannot be called absolutely harmless. Therefore, it is worth studying the information about the product in advance. This can be done not only using the manufacturer’s website, but also through reliable independent sources. It is important to have a clear understanding of the risks and obtain the opinion of a competent specialist.