Birth Blessings Childbirth: TT: Herbs

In the beginning of November I got really sick. It was a Tuesday, my day off, so I was out and about with the boys...Costco and then the park. I started to get a tummy ache at the park and it rapidly progressed over the next few hours to include body aches, extreme tiredness, headache, nausea (I had my barf bucket ready...but it stayed empty), diarrhea, chills, and slight fever. At first I thought I had a stomach virus b/c I had NO respiratory symptoms. My back pain lasted for days so then I went to the doctor to get checked. They tested everything under the sun and all tests were normal (even though initially they thought bladder infection so I took antibiotics)...

SO, looking back I think I had H1N1 or some other FLU. I've never had the FLU in my life! I was pretty proud I actually made the thermometer move b/c my normal temp is 97.5 and it was 99.1. My first recorded fever! I thought I was dieing and could not do anything. Luckily my Auntie Sharon came to my rescue the first night and my babysitter Beth in the morning (I couldn't walk). She fed the kids breakfast, dropped Jackson off at school, and took Owen and Gavin for the day. I slept all day, except to pump and drink Ginger Ale. I was able to drive to pick them up but it took all my energy and I was walking like I'd just given birth...ssssllllloooowww. My sister came the second night and my mother-in-law came the third night. You might be wondering why I needed all this help when I'm married. My husband happened to be 8 hours away on business with no cell phone reception! The irony of it all.

The moral of the story is that my milk supply went down. I've never had this problem before. The first baby I nursed (Jackson) created such a good supply, I could've feed 4 babies. Literally. I had an entire freezer devoted to his milk. It was very painful. I even tried to donate it! My second nursing baby (Owen) made just enough and it was more comfortable. We didn't have excess so used a tad bit of formula when I wouldn't pump enough for the sitter. This is my third nursing baby (Gavin) and again I had an oversupply which caused clogs and mastitis and pain... it was more than surprising to be low! He actually cried at the breast b/c he wasn't getting enough (after the week of illness) and drank an entire bottle of formula in seconds (he hates the stuff!). Wow. Way to hurt a mom's ego.

I called upon my resources. Facebook friends. My doula Rosie. My natural friend who gave birth at home and couldn't breastfeed her first baby (but it worked with the second!). My Bradley class friend. Etc. They all recommended some herbs. So I was obedient and took them. THEY WORK! A week into it the dairy was back in action - and strong! I love nursing and was not about to give up, so I am so very very thankful for these natural remedies.

More Milk by Motherlove, purchased at Babies In Bloom for $26.