Low Milk supply - The Chinese Medicine view

Blood=Milk? huh? When a women is pregnant, her menstrual cycle stops and blood nourishes the lining of the uterus making a nutritious home in which her baby is implanted and starts to grow.

Nutrients are needed to support the placenta and give her growing baby the nourishment it needs. Blood volume increases to support this growth

In Chinese Medicine theory, once a baby is born the blood that was nourishing the placenta is transformed into Breast Milk.  Blood and vital energy form the basis for breast milk.  Blood = Milk.

Low milk supply is considered a lack of nutrient blood or vital energy.  For a new mama this can be due to a deficiency during pregnancy, blood loss during labour or not enough time to recover post birth resulting in lower milk supply.  Nourishing the blood is a treatment used in Chinese Medicine to help new mamas with low milk supply and fatigue.

So new mamas it's time to add some blood nourishing foods to the menu.  What foods nourish the blood? Foods rich in sources of Magnesium, Iron and B Vitamins.  Many of these also support hormone production too.   Some of our favourite blood nourishing foods are:

🌱Dark green leafy vegetables

🌱Dates

🌱Goji Berries

🌱Beetroot

🌱Raspberries

🌱Cherries

🌱Cinnamon

🌱Good quality protein (organic meat, eggs, beans)

🌱Seeds & nuts

🌱Sweet potato

Here at HQ we have been busy sourcing quality nourishing ingredients to support new mamas in their journey through motherhood.