Just in case info

[RoadWorkAhead]

I'm due with #2 in late January. My first DS is kind of weaning (as in only latches and only every couple days, though he'll be welcomed back if I can talk him into it : ). When I had DS we ended up witha a short NICU stay, a terrible, horrible, awful, IBCLC and threats of DCF and removal from my arms if I persisted in BFing, and yet I did and proved them wrong, but we dealt with nipple confusion, terrible thrush, and some supply issues (though not as bad as many). I'm BFARing and know I can can BF exclusively, and all that, but I feel like I never got in the supply to begin with that I could have had b/c I was forced to nurse, pump, finger feed, and repeat and DS was unable to altch due to confusion for more than 24 hours as my milk was first coming in (and they sent me home w/o a pump : after rental hours ). This time around I want to make sure that I bring in all the supply possible so that I can BF exclusively without a single drop of supplementing, tandem DS if he so desires, and pump to boot ()major anxiety over having an emergency and no available expressed milk). Anyone have any recommendations on which herbs are best to start with to ensure a good supply? I've taken fenugreek, blessed thistle and alfalfa alone and in combos with good luck, but not until DS was older and I noticed the severity of my dropping supply, but didn't know if I could start any the day of delivery or just before JIC some of this wasn't just due to the issues we had in the hospital

[indeospero]

You can start herbs as soon as your baby is born, but not before. Fenugreek and blessed thistle combine well for most people. Goat's rue is especially recommended for BFAR (you can get a tincture from Motherlove), as it helps to rebuild damaged breast tissue.

It's OK to start herbs immediately, but it can make engorgement more difficult if you do. It's usually a good idea to wait until your milk comes in to start them, especially since you already know you have a great supply (congratulations!), and supply tends to increase for subsequent BFAR babies anyway. If you wait till the milk comes in, you may find you don't need any herbs at all! Or if you do need them, they begin taking effect within the first 24 hours, so no harm in having waited.

Sounds like you had a really rough start in the hospital with your first babe. I bet if you're able to BF early and often this time, without bottles etc., you won't have any trouble at all. Best wishes!

[deditus]

Nourishing herb teas will help you in your pregnancy and fortify your milk also. I am still drinking my pregnancy tea: nettle, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, spearmint. Oastraw would probably be good, too. The days I don't drink it, I am a lot more tired. Best of luck for #2!