It is not uncommon for women in the Bay Area to struggle with an insufficient supply of breast milk for their babies. Most women who are breast feeding find it easier to use only breast milk and not supplement with formula. Some moms find it very stressful and emotionally difficult to have to add formula to their baby’s diet.
The good news is that acupuncture and herbal medicine can help to increase the supply of breast milk. Chinese medicine sees two main reasons for an insufficient supply of breast milk – bodily depletion from pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum demands; or excess stress that blocks the breast milk from flowing. Of course, both of these issues could be at play simultaneously. While there are several ways to address either of these issues, acupuncture is effective at both strengthening the body and reducing stress levels.
The other good news is that acupuncture for low breast milk supply does not involve putting needles in the breasts. The most commonly used points for this issue are on the lower legs and lower arms, the center of the chest on the sternum, and above the collarbones. A point just below the breast can be added if the mother is interested and the area is not overly sensitive. Regular acupuncture treatments will be required (typically a few times a week for the first few weeks) to help increase the supply.
A thorough health history and reading the mother’s pulses will tell the practitioner what the causes of the low milk supply are. Additionally, those will guide what herbal medicines may be prescribed to help increase milk supply. These herbal medicines are, of course, safe to use during breast feeding.
If you or a mother you know is struggling with low milk supply, have them contact me for more information. I love to support mothers especially during the sensitive period after birth!
