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Home > Herbs and Breastfeeding > Natural treatments for nursing momsAlthough many medications are compatible with breastfeeding, it's always a good idea to minimize the use of medications when nursing. Following are various natural treatments for nursing moms that I have collected. Keep in mind that herbal and other "natural" treatments in general are not without risk for nursing moms - herbs can be just as pharmacologically active as meds from the pharmacy. Before using any herbal treatment, investigate whether it is safe for nursing moms.
This is only for mild to moderate dehydration. Intravenous fluid therapy is necessary for the treatment of severe dehydration. See also signs of dehydration. For adults, lost fluids and electrolytes can be replaced with virtually any beverage plus a source of sodium chloride (salted crackers, etc.), or you can use an oral rehydration formula. For children and babies who are no longer nursing, a commercial rehydration formula (like Pedialyte) is generally recommended. For nursing babies and children, breastmilk is best. Here is a recipe to make an electrolyte replacement fluid [source: Diarrhea from the U.S. Pharmacist website]:
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Although there is little - if any - professional literature in this field on the use of homeopathic medicine, my reading and research has led me to the conclusion that these remedies pose minimal - if any - risk to the nursing baby. Homeopathic remedies are reportedly very safe for nursing moms and babies because the remedies (by definition of homeopathy) contain only very dilute versions of the active substances. Many lactation consultants have used or recommended homeopathic remedies to their clients. Most experts believe that homeopathic remedies are unlikely to pose a problem for the nursing baby and mother. Worried about belladonna or other toxic substances in homeopathic remedies? See this information. [top]
Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar with about a cup of water. Lean over the cup and soak nipple in it for a minute or so, then stand over the sink and pour it slowly over the nipple. This can bring immediate relief. If you have itchy nipples, keep in mind that you might have thrush. [top]
Some women experience a drop in milk supply from ovulation (mid-cycle) until the first day or two of the next menstrual period. A woman's blood calcium levels gradually decrease during this period of time, and for some women the drop in blood calcium causes a drop in milk supply. For women who have this problem, calcium/magnesium supplements may be helpful. This practice has also been reported to eliminate most uterine cramping and some premenstrual discomfort such as water retention. The recommended calcium supplement dosage is between 500 mg calcium/250 mg magnesium and 1500 mg calcium/750 mg magnesium (the higher dosage is generally more effective). Calcium dosages this high should not be taken alone, but as a calcium/magnesium (or calcium/magnesium/zinc) combination. Otherwise the calcium will not be adequately absorbed into your body. The amount of supplement depends on the composition of your diet -- the more animal protein, the more calcium/magnesium needed. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, the lower dosage may work fine for you. Start the supplement when you ovulate, and continue through the first few days of your menstrual period. If periods are irregular, then begin calcium/magnesium at 14 days after the beginning of your last menstrual cycle, or simply take the supplement every day. [top]
More information on treating mastitis can be found here: Mastitis and Plugged Ducts [top]
I've collected a few suggestions that are reported to be helpful for migraines: Cayenne Pepper: Taking cayenne inside the nose helps to open up the blood vessels. This enables the blood to get nutrients to all parts of the brain. Warning - this can burn a bit, so keep the grains of cayenne down to as few as possible. To stop a migraine follow these simple steps:
Other suggestions: Taking 500 mg of magnesium per day and increasing your water intake to 8-10 glasses per day can be helpful. One person reported that her migraines were still coming at the time they usually did (during her cycle), but were much less intense and went away faster. Another person resolved her migraine problem by eliminating ALL animal fat the week before menstruation (skim milk, non-fat yogurt ok), and adding evening primrose oil to her diet. If you feel that you need migraine meds, keep in mind that a number of migraine meds are considered compatible with breastfeeding, including Sumatriptan (Imitrex). Here are a couple of outside links: Natural Migraine Treatment FAQ. "This Natural Migraine Treatment FAQ, posted to alt.support.headaches.migraine, attempts to summarize all non-medical treatments that help prevent or cure migraine headaches. Most treatments mentioned here have worked for many people, and usually have a theoretical basis as well. This FAQ doesn't discuss drugs." How to Prevent Primary Headaches/Migraines by Manipulating Caffeine Intake. The author theorizes that all primary headache, including all migraine, may be caffeine withdrawal - might be worth a try! [top]
Lecithin can be very helpful for treating and preventing recurrent plugged ducts. See Lecithin treatment for recurrent plugged ducts for more information. More information on treating recurrent plugged ducts can be found here: Recurrent Mastitis or Plugged Ducts [top]
Place grated raw cold potato on the affected breast. Cover with towels until dry. Repeat if desired. More information on treating plugged ducts can be found here: Mastitis or Plugged Ducts [top]
There are better ways to heal sore nipples. Warm water dips (or saline dips), breastmilk, medical-grade lanolin (Lansinoh, etc.) and hydrogel dressings are more commonly used to treat sore nipples. Any time that mom has sore nipples, the cause of the soreness should also be addressed. Studies are conflicting on whether tea bags are helpful for reducing the pain of sore nipples (Riordan 2005). The tannic acid in the tea (which has astrigent qualities) can cause drying and cracking (Lawrence 2005), and anecdotal evidence suggests that some babies do not suck as well after tea bags have been used.
Buchko BL, Pugh LC, Bishop BA, Cochran JF, Smith LR, Lerew DJ. Comfort measures in breastfeeding, primiparous women. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1994 Jan;23(1):46-52. Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM, editors. Breastfeeding, A Guide for the Medical Profession. St. Louis: Mosby, Inc., 2005, p. 284. Lavergne, NA. Does application of tea bags to sore nipples while breastfeeding provide effective relief? J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1997 Jan-Feb;26(1):53-8. Morland-Schultz K, Hill PD. Prevention of and therapies for nipple pain: a systematic review. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2005 Jul-Aug;34(4):428-37. Pugh LC, Buchko BL, Bishop BA, Cochran JF, Smith LR, Lerew DJ. A comparison of topical agents to relieve nipple pain and enhance breastfeeding. Birth. 1996 Jun;23(2):88-93. Riordan J. Breastfeeding
and Human Lactation, 3rd ed. Boston and London: Jones and
Bartlett, 2005; p. 227. [top] Some mothers have found that taking one capsule per day of evening primrose oil can be helpful for preventing sore nipples due to hormonal changes during ovulation or around the time of menstruation. More here. [top]
Natural Remedies for Labour and Postpartum by Stacelynn Caughlan, Cl.N., C.H., R.N.C.
Page last modified:
09/13/2006
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