That moment when everything just clicks…

Two days ago I wrote a blog about my hair starting to fall out which is normal for moms who are postpartum. Well, guess what? I just woke up with my full-on first menstrual cycle. I delivered my surrogate baby only three months and two days ago and I thought I had more time!  That’s when it clicked, my hormones were starting to go back to normal. However, my supply hadn’t dipped like with my previous postpartum periods over the last few years. Perhaps this time was different because I was on a set pumping schedule, taking supplements and drinking lactation teas on a regular basis. 

I naturally have low milk supply so I pump roughly every two hours during the day, with my last pump at 12:30 a.m. and my first pump at 6:30 a.m. I tell my clients that keeping up on their electrolytes is important and no, it’s not just drinking coconut water. Your body needs Potassium, Magnesium, and Sodium. When you drink 80 oz of water a day, your body is not refilling these vital minerals. Combine those supplements with Calcium, you then have a great way to fend off the dip in supply when Aunt Flo shows up.

I don’t recommend these for everyone but I drink Earth Mama, which contains Fennel and may help increase milk production, and Mothers Milk with Fenugreek. In previous pumping journeys, these have helped me increase and maintain my supply. I don’t always recommend Fenugreek because for some moms it can decrease supply. I only suggest it as a last resort when moms have tried all other methods to increase supply. 

So if your supply is dipping, try adding in those supplements, and don’t forget to power pump once a day for at least 5 days during your time of the month. You should be able to maintain your supply or get it back up soon.