Herbal Nursing Mom Tea Recipe (2024)

I had a slight panic moment the other day when I realized (while drinking my pregnancy tea) that I will have a newborn in a month or so (nesting is now in hyperdrive).

With a precious new little one comes baby coos and tiny clothes and… breastfeeding! I love the newborn phase but the early days of nursing are always a little tough for me and I feel that it is harder to get enough calories and nutrients when I’m nursing a baby.

This time, I’ve prepared ahead of time asI’ve mixed up a batch of nursing mom tea to have on hand when this little one makes an entrance. I’ve also been busy getting my birth kit in order, eating dates (I’ll keep you posted on that one!), obsessively cleaning (nesting for the win!), and optimizingall of these factors to help make labor easier!

Nursing Mom Tea

Having a baby is a couple years of wonderful exhaustion, and while it is easy to focus on the beautiful baby, it is also important for us as moms to nourish and support our own bodies during this physically taxing time.To the extent possible, it is important to get enough sleep during pregnancy and breastfeeding, eat a nutrient-dense diet, and nourish the body in other ways. I’ve found that this is often easier said than done, especially when you have other children too, but sincebreastfeeding is often done sitting down it is a great time to hydrate and replenish.

Enter… nursing tea!

Tea contains actual vitamins and minerals (really!) and a nursing tea blend also has herbs that may boost and protect milk supply. (More on that below.)

Pair with one of these lactation cookies (or a few… nursing hunger is real!) for a satisfying and nourishing treat.

The Nourishing Ingredients…

This tea has a combination of beneficial ingredients to help nourish the body and support adequate milk supply:

  • Red raspberry leaf– High in vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. Raspberry leaf is also recommended to support hormone health.
  • Nettle leaf– High in chlorophyll and trace minerals, it is said to support urinary health.
  • Fenugreek– Used as a spice in many parts of the world and often added to curries. Contains potassium, vitamin C, anddiosgenin which is the compound that is said to help breastfeeding and milk supply.
  • Fennel– Source of iron, folate, and vitamin C and also helps improve digestion. Some midwives claim that adding fennel to a nursing tea can also help alleviate digestive struggles or colic in the baby as the benefits can pass through the milk.
  • Alfalfa– Known as the “father of all foods” alfalfa is a nutrient dense plant high in vitamin K, vitamin C, and chlorophyll. It is often used in multivitamin blends.
  • ChamomileOne of my favorite herbsand one I use often for children. It is a calming and relaxing herb and can support restful sleep for mom and baby.
  • Dandelion– Good source of vitamins A, C, D, and B, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon.

I order all the herbsin bulk (click links above to see the ones I use) so I canmake big batches of these and other herbal teas very inexpensively. If you aren’t a DIYer and don’t want the initial expense of purchasing herbs in bulk, you can also find this tea pre-made in tea bags.

Some of these herbs are not recommended during pregnancy, so I only drinkthis tea after the baby is born. It is also important to check with your doctor or midwife before consuming any herb while breastfeeding.

Herbal Nursing Mom Tea Recipe (1)

Herbal Nursing Mom Tea Recipe

A simple herbal nursing mom tea to help nourish and support the body during breastfeeding.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Author Katie Wells

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings

36 cups

Ingredients

  • ½ cup red raspberry leaf
  • ¼ cup alfalfa leaf
  • ½ cup nettle leaf
  • ¼ cup fenugreek seeds
  • ¼ cup fennel seeds
  • ¼ cup chamomile flowers
  • ¼ cup dandelion leaf

Instructions

  • Mix herbs and store in a glass jar. To brew, add 1 Tablespoon herb mix to 2 cups of boiling water and simmer on stove for 10-15 minutes.

  • Strain and serve.

  • Can also make by the gallon using ½ cup dried herb mix and store in refrigerator after straining.

Notes

This recipe mixes up a big enough batch of tea herbs for 36 individual cups of tea or 4½ gallons of tea.

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

I’m grateful to have been able to nurse my babies, butrealize that there are many cases where breastfeeding is not possible. Though I have not personally tried it, I have many friends who used this homemade organic formula option with great results.

What helps you stay nourished during breastfeeding? Ever tried a nursing mom tea?

Herbal Nursing Mom Tea Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What tea increases breast milk supply? ›

Some of the common herbs found in lactation teas are fenugreek, blessed thistle, fennel, stinging nettle, goat's rue, moringa, and milk thistle. Fenugreek is an herb with a taste similar to maple syrup.

Does lactation tea actually work? ›

Julie Lamppa, A.P.R.N., a certified nurse midwife at Mayo Clinic, agrees, noting that research doesn't clearly support that they actually work. “The clinical trials which do show that lactation teas or herbs help boost milk supply tend to be small sample sizes and are poorly designed,” she says.

How long does it take for mothers milk tea to work? ›

Recommend drinking 3-5 cups of this/day (new bag each time) and you'll start seeing results in a few days to a week (believe me, you WILL notice a difference). The taste is not great (not the worst I've had), but I add a little bit of juice, or honey, or both and it tastes great. I've tried the lactation chews, etc.

What are the ingredients in mother's milk tea? ›

Mother's milk tea is an herbal tea meant to help increase a mother's milk supply. Its main milk-boosting ingredient is fenugreek, along with fennel, anise, coriander and blessed thistle—herbs that have traditionally been used as galactagogues (aka milk-making aids).

What can I drink to get enough breast milk? ›

Drinks that can increase breast milk supply
  • Coconut water. Coconut water is the liquid found inside unripe coconuts before the nutrients become coconut flesh. ...
  • Coconut milk. Coconut milk is richer in fat than coconut water. ...
  • Lactation teas/herbal teas. ...
  • Lactation smoothies. ...
  • Electrolyte drinks. ...
  • Milk. ...
  • Fruit juices. ...
  • Fenugreek.
Apr 24, 2023

What drinks increase lactation? ›

Certain herbal teas, including fenugreek, nettle, and fennel, have been traditionally believed to promote lactation. Fenugreek, in particular, is a common herb known for its potential lactogenic properties.

How to increase breast milk with homemade tea? ›

Fenugreek is rich in plant estrogen, and therefore, it helps in breast milk supply. Some of the fenugreek seeds recipes that you can prepare are: Fenugreek tea: You can prepare fenugreek tea by boiling some seeds in water for three to five minutes. Strain the fenugreek seeds, and you can have it like hot tea.

How can I increase my breast milk supply naturally? ›

Breastfeeding: How to Increase Your Milk Supply
  1. Nurse, Nurse, and Nurse Again. 1/15. The more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes. ...
  2. Don't Worry. 2/15. ...
  3. Try to Rest. 3/15. ...
  4. Tame Stress. 4/15. ...
  5. Get Support. 5/15. ...
  6. Steer Clear of Beer and Other Alcohol. 6/15. ...
  7. Drink Plenty of Water. 7/15. ...
  8. Feed You, Feed Baby. 8/15.
Nov 23, 2022

How often should you drink mothers milk tea? ›

Drinking up to 3 cups a day, along with hand expressing milk, can hopefully help prepare your body for when your baby arrives.

Does coffee increase milk supply? ›

After being studied extensively, caffeine has not been found to decrease milk supply. In fact, one study found it can actually stimulate milk production. That being said, if your baby is sensitive to caffeine and doesn't nurse well after you consume it, your supply could take a hit indirectly.

What time of day should I drink mother's milk tea? ›

Morning Boost: Starting your day with a cup of lactation tea or a serving of Lactation Hot Chocolate can provide an excellent energy boost while promoting milk production. Many women find that consuming these products in the morning jumpstarts their milk supply for the day ahead.

Does coconut water increase milk? ›

Can certain foods help boost breastmilk supply? Breastfeeding mothers wanting to boost their breastmilk supply may get advice to consume certain foods like oats, coconut water, or brewer's yeast. However, there is limited evidence that these foods help.

Does fenugreek increase milk supply? ›

In the U.S., fenugreek is available in bulk at health food stores or in supplement form. It's also the main ingredient in foods and drinks that help promote lactation, or breast milk production. Most women can consume fenugreek without having to check with their doctor first.

What tea ingredients to avoid during breastfeeding? ›

Some types of tea can affect breastmilk production and cause side effects in the baby. Teas that should be avoided include lemongrass, oregano, parsley, peppermint, ginseng, kava andillicium verum. They should be avoided whenever possible, or consumed only under the supervision of a doctor.

How many Mother's Milk tea can I drink a day? ›

Mother's Milk tea is pretty commonly used while breastfeeding and I know a lot of you are probably drinking it. Tea is the weakest form of an herb (besides just eating the plant raw), so if you're going to drink a tea with boosting supply in mind, it's recommended to drink 3-5 cups a day for maximum potency.

Which herbs increase milk supply? ›

Nettle, blessed thistle, and ginger are other popular herbs that are thought to improve milk production. Keep in mind that taking certain herbs while breastfeeding can have adverse effects. Before adding them to your diet in the hopes of increasing your milk supply, it's important to consult your doctor.

Does red raspberry leaf tea help with milk production? ›

Red raspberry leaf is a traditional remedy for boosting milk production in lactating women. However, clinical research has not shown any benefit to drinking red raspberry leaf tea for women who are breastfeeding.

References

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