Got milk?

To breastfeed or not … that is one ginormous question when it comes to motherhood.

I bet you spent a lot of time thinking about it since you got pregnant, and I’d say that there’s a high chance that you changed your mind or plans when it came to real life.

I wanted to breastfeed, but I also wanted to be able to let go and be in peace with it in case I was not able to .

So I did my research, and it seems that even though all studies in the infant feeding literature conclude that breastmilk is superior to infant formula they all share a Achilles heel : selection bias. – for example, worse outcomes among children of younger, less educated, lower-income, and African-American mothers may correlate with their lower breastfeeding rates | read more here.

But that’s not this post is about. I’m surely not the best person to talk about lactation – there are a lot of specialists you can refer to, or go to our online breastfeeding goddess Kelly Mom

My intention here is to share my experience.

I was induced – so, when my doctor called and said I’d have to go to the hospital the following day, one of the things I did – besides getting my nails done, taking a looooong shower, going to the gym and to yoga – was baking a huge batch of lactation cookies.

I started eating them the following morning – my son was born 2 days later, healthy, but very small.

He weighed 5lbs, and was born hungry … he latched immediately, and I was so happy to see my colostrum coming – I have no idea if the cookies worked, but I surely would do anything and everything to help boosting my milk supply.

So, here’s my list of everything i tried – so far:

1. Lactation Cookies

Tried a few recipes, twisted them all to make them more healthy, less caloric – this so far is my fave!

In between batches, I’d try milkmakers grab&go lactation cookies – not Arizmendi Cowgirl Cookie, but super yummy.

TIP : heat for 30′ in the microwave!

2. Motherlove More Milk Plus Herbal Breastfeeding Supplement

It has mixed reviews – some women love and swear by it, some say it just doesn’t work.

I have to be honest I have no idea if it worked or not – but, IMPORTANT : I was having excruciating stomach aches, feeling bloated and gassy until I read that a lot of women have this kind of reaction to fenugreek

Just stopped taking it, feeling a lot better now!

3. Malunggay Leaf Pills

After my awkward reaction to pills containing fenugreek, started looking for something else.

That’s when I read about Malunggay or Moringa leaf – some articles were about breastfeeding, others about weight loss. 2 birds one stone? hell ya, give me those pills!

Do they work?

I have no idea, just started taking them.

I surely feel more energetic! Will come back to this subject | weight loss | whenever I figure out what helps, since I have not lost a pound since I gave birth.

4. Traditional Mother’s milk tea

Have this one in my pantry, but have not been taking regularly. I’d make a huge jar whenever I felt my supply was low.

I do think this one actually works!

5. UpSpring Milkflow™ Fenugreek + Blessed Thistle Powder Chocolate Drink Mix

2 words : CHOCOLATE DRINK!

I used this one to make my own mexican mocha every morning, super yummy!

1 packet UpSpring Milkflow™ Fenugreek + Blessed Thistle Powder Chocolate Drink Mix

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper – more if you like it spicy!

8 oz milk

1 long shot of coffee

2 tablespoons hershey’s sugar free syrup – for that extra chocolatey flavor, with only 10 calories!