Breastfeeding and H1N1

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways you can protect your children from the swine flu.  They will continuously be receiving support and immunity from your amazing breast milk.  The second their saliva touches your nipple they send a message to your body about the specific antibody support they need.  This will vary according to what they have encountered in a day.  The longer you breastfed the more protection you are able to offer your children.  Another great reason to extend breastfeeding – even if it is only once or twice a day, it has a role to play in good health.

Dehydration, Breastfeeding and Homeopathy

Moms and babes at a Fall Red Tent morning

For specific information on dosage, frequency and homeopathic remedies for moms and babes please visit my website www.pipermartin.com

and access my e-book -

 A Homeopathic Guide to a Vibrant Pregnancy.

Homeopathy is a wonderful tool to support mothers that would like to breastfeed short or long term. 

 In the short term there are remedies to increase milk supply, clear blocked ducts and mastitis or resolve a mental/emotional reaction to nursing. 

In the long term homeopathy can assist a woman in maintaining good energy, balance and hydration levels.  A remedy called Phosphoric Acid200C is highly recommended for women that have been breastfeeding several months  or have been breastfeeding intensely (twins or extremely hungry babes) and may be experiencing the following:

• headaches
• low energy (lower than the normal sleep deprivation low…)
• feeling numb or flat emotionally
• thirsty for carbonated beverages
• sleeplessness

This remedy will bring back your vitality and energy and give your body a boost in recharging. 
Drink lots of water – for every cup of coffee, tea or pop you will have to replace it with a cup of water just to stay even in your hydration.  Phosphoric acid states are created by dehydration.

Remedies for Rapid Letdown during Breastfeeding

Homeopathic Bryonia 200C is  a remedy that I recommend when mothers have an intense, very rapid and full letdown response.  Initially babies can feel like they are trying to drink from a fire hose and become frustrated, frightened and overwhelmed by the force of the downward action of the milk.  Usually they are choking, sputtering and generally end up crying. 

On a physical postioning level try nursing the babies one of two ways:

1.  sit up the babe on your knee and let them drink sitting up.  They will be at mouth level with your breast, swaddling the baby tightly with some support for their neck might make this a little easier to pull off. 

2.  lie down flat on your back and let the baby lie down flat on their stomach with their mouth on your nipple.  This will really work with gravity to slow down the flow. 

For more information on homeopathy and using it during the postpartum time please refer to my website and e-book available at www.pipermartin.com

Homeopathy and Breastfeeding

Homeopathy is completely safe while you are breastfeeding.  It will assist both the mother and the baby both physically and mentally/emotionally.  There are a wide range of remedies to support milk supply, heal from mastitis and treat thrush. 

Remedies for increasing Milk Supply – To increase milk supply STAY in BED, SKIN TO SKIN with your baby.  Call on your family and friends to provide you with food and water, rest and the milk will come.  You can also try the following homeopathic remedies to encourage your body.

Pulsatilla 200C- 2 pellets once a day for three days.  Pulsatilla women are usually weepy, in need of company and physical comfort and affection.  They want to feel cherished and cared for postpartum.  If they are feeling lonely or left out then the milk supply will be effected.  This is a milk supply that seems good, then dwindles, comes back up and changes again.  There is a lot of changeability in the mood of the mother and the baby along with the shifts in the level of breast milk. 

Lac Humanum 200C

This is a remedy made of breast milk.  It is important for women that are experiencing difficulty bonding with their babies.  Women that feel uncomfortable with breast feeding and are unsure about their own instincts in this regard.  For example the woman may feel worried about not being able to measure the amount of milk a baby is consuming in a feeding.  She may need a lot of reassurance about her confidence in being able to fully  nourish her child.

Healing from Mastitis

When using homeopathy to treat mastitis it is vitally important to act as soon as the symptoms appear.  You will have a much greater opportunity to heal quickly if you have the remedies on hand and take them when you first notice the following:

• pain, tenderness, shooting pain
• red streaks, red, local spot
• feeling of congestion in the breast
• fever, headache and irritability
• achy feeling, as if you are getting ill

Mastitis usually occurs when you are overdoing it and not drinking enough water.  Go to bed, drink water and line up the baby’s chin with the place on your breast that is painful.  This positioning will allow the baby to drain that particular duct.  The two most important remedies to have on hand are:

1.  Belladonna 1M – 2 pellets as needed – you may need to repeat this remedy a few times to completely clear the pain.  Belladonna states come on fast and get bad quickly.  The fever, heat and redness are strong features – the Belladonna time is 3:00 pm so if you notice it begins or worsens at that time it is likely a Belladonna mastitis.  You may also have a throbbing headache. Belladonna usually effects the right side of the body first and most strongly.

2.  Bryonia 200C – Bryonia has a strong connection with dehydration – usually the lips are very dry and the woman is extremely thirsty for cold water.  There is a high level of irritability, headache and a strong desire to have NO movement, they hold their breasts walking up and down the stairs and wear a bra to bed.  The pace of this remedy is slow and the progress of the pain is slow compared to the quick, violent onset of Belladonna. 

Treatment of Thrush - this appears on both the mother and baby, usually after antibiotics have been in use during the labour or postpartum.  Systemically taking acidophilus daily and giving an infant acidophilus formula to the baby is appropriate to create a healthy flora in the gut.  In terms of homeopathic remedies:

Borax 200C – this is an incredibly effective remedy for thrush in newborns.  Besides the distinctive white patches on the tongue and cheeks babies needing Borax are extremely sensitive.  They will be fast asleep and wake as soon as they are put down.  They startle at the slightest sounds and prefer to have some time on their own vs being caressed and carried all the time.  This remedy may be one to consider if the mother is experiencing postpartum depression – it is a grief remedy and the baby may also be experiencing a type of postpartum depression.  Two pellets for both the mother and baby will usually clear the mouth within 1-2 days.  For more information and support regarding homeopathy and breastfeeding please visit my website and access my on-line book – The Homeopathic Guide to a Vibrant Pregnancy.

Homeopathic Remedies for Breastfeeding

There is a homeopathic remedy called Lac Humanum made from mother’s milk.  This remedy is a little bit of magic for new mothers and babes learning to nurse.  It can be used to boost production and flow for mothers and help to establish a calm nursing relationship.

  Any baby that has experienced suction, resuscitation or supplementation will heal from the experience much more quickly after a dose of Lac Humanum.  This remedy was proven by Melissa Assilem – a classical homeopath from England.  More information on this remedy can be found in her book:  Matridonal Remedies of the Humanum Family or at www.melissaassilem.net