People assume that because I am a breastfeeding advocate, that I instinctively align with all natural and holistic approaches. Calling them holistic “approaches” is being far too kind. Quite frankly, I view them as fads…fads or even worse- myths- that grow in popularity and perpetuation, and soon become the norm. So NO, I do not believe, nor promote or endorse, most of the holistic rituals or popular myths I hear of so often. And because I work in the Maternal and Child Health field, I am specifically speaking to child birth and lactation fads…

I have, and will always maintain, that the only advice I give to my patients is derived from evidenced-based medicine. Meaning,  scientist spent years of their time studying the subjects and its effects. Any corporation can slap a “simply natural” on a product, and we consider it gold. But my advice is, do your research! Companies market their products very WELL, and they do it for a reason– to make money, not necessarily to improve health outcomes. When I say “breast milk boosts brain development in babies” you better believe I can fire off the scientific study for my patient’s to read and review. You can’t make claims without peer-approved research findings and studies to back it up.

So let me just say it for the record, I do not recommend taking teas or pills that claim to increase lactation, because hunny, no LEGITIMATE studies have ever yielded such claims.. So, no, I won’t be dropping the words fenugreek, or mother’s milk tea, because the effects of taking these products are simply anecdotal. Think the placebo effect.  Cold cabbage on the breasts? No studies prove that claim either. What I do know is, cabbage is naturally breast-friendly  because the leaf size and shape cups the breasts perfectly, and when refrigerated, they are cool to the touch and soothing to an ailing breast. Cabbage leaves look a lot like the human breasts. But do they resolve breastfeeding ailments? No, just anecdotal at best.

As for consuming the placenta? Oh boy. Okay, let me go back and honor my Anthropological roots. Mammals instinctively eat the afterbirth to reduce their chances of not being detected by other animals or predators. This increases mom and baby’s chances for survival.Think survival of the fittest. But Homosapiens are not under the constant threat of predation in modern times. So, humans incapsulating the placenta to improve breastfeeding and/or improve overall health after the birth of the baby? My answer is, no, don’t do it.  My breastfeeding knowledge tells me this can’t be a good thing for lactation. Why? While the placenta is attached to the uterine wall, it releases progesterone. It is not until the placenta is delivered, that the body’s progesterone levels plunge and kickstart the hormonal process of producing copious amounts of milk. So why would a breastfeeding mother want to swallow her breastfeeding-inhibiting hormonal soaked placenta to increase breastfeeding? Seems contradictory. Makes no sense. Again, no studies prove placental incapsulation improves health or breastfeeding outcomes. Studies actually caution eating the placenta due to all of the environmental pollution it is exposed to during pregnancy. Thanks California smog.

Again, fads and myths are perpetuated like crazy, especially in the breastfeeding, child birth, and pregnancy fields. Do your research. And remember, experienced mothers usually mean well when they give you advice (caution, there are those mothers who don’t mean well when they give you advice), but either way, their advice is usually not the BEST advice. Find reputable sources, study the scientific literature, ask for second opinions, or seek qualifiedhelp.

And please, don’t overdose on fenugreek and breastfeeding teas!! It’s not healthy! Some teas are completely banned in other countries! Betcha didn’t know that. More breastfeeding is the only solution to increasing supply. Not pills, potions, and teas.