Boosting Breast Milk Production—Naturally

If you’re having trouble producing sufficient breast milk, you’re not alone!

“It’s an amazingly common challenge new mothers face, and it’s almost always stress-related,” says holistic ob-gyn Wendy Warner, M.D. She recommends brewing tea with chamomile and lavender blossoms—two herbs that naturally calm and relax.

“There is also a long list of herbs and other foods that are known galactagogues, which help produce milk,” Dr. Warner says. These include blessed thistle, dill, fenugreek, goat’s rue, anise seeds, caraway seeds, and fennel seeds. Try this twice a day: Steep a tablespoon of seeds or herbs in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain and sip. Or look for natural products that contain these ingredients.

KIWI’s Picks


Gaia Herbs’ Lactation Support tea, with goat’s rue and fenugreek ($5.99, shop.gaiaherbs.com)

Herb Pharm’s Mother’s Lactation System Restoration, an extract blend of goat’s rue and fenugreek, caraway, fennel, and anise seeds ($16.98, herb-pharm.com)

Premama’s Lactation Support Drink Mix, featuring fenugreek, fennel seed, and blessed thistle ($24.99, amazon.com)

And don’t forget to drink lots of water!