Q: Hi,
I read the Wise Woman Herbal some time ago but I don't have it with me at this time and have a lactation question. I remember the book gave information about galactagogues but I don't remember if it gave information also about plants that discourage milk production. I'd appreciate it if you could help me with this. I know sage, parsley and peppermint are known to decrease milk supply but I'd like to make sure that whatever method or amount I use is safe for me and my child. My child is 3-years old. I've been trying to wean her for a year, gradually, but she resists the weaning and keeps nursing numerous times, day and night, every time she needs comfort or is tired or bored or wakes up. The weaning experiences a regression every time she's sick with a cold. It's hard to deny comfort to a sick child. I don't have huge amounts of milk, but since she breastfeeds so often, it seems that I always have milk. I think that given her age and stage of development it would help if milk was less available. I think she would understand that there is no milk more than other explanations that might make her feel rejected. Please let me know if Susun Weed has written anything on weaning and what would be the proper technique/herb dosage to use.
Thank you very much for your help.
d.
A: Hello D., yes Susun has written a bit about herbs to help decrease milk
production in her Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year. I too am
away from my library until after the new year, and at that point I am happy
to look at more details. I know Juliette de Bairacli Levy goes even into
more depth on this. Not only the herbs to decrease production, but the
foods to introduce while weaning your child, and even a suggested routine to
follow.
I am a mom too and have talked with many as I struggled over the weaning.
Many of us do. I know it seems easier to just get rid of the milk so they
are forced off, since it hurts us to say no and watch our dear little one
cry. Even if we can say "sorry, not my responsibility, the milk is gone" I
believe they will know our resistance and desire to stop. It seems to that
as we near our desire to wean our child they cling tighter. This then
happens in later years as we near to enforcing a boundary of any sort as
they test to be sure the boundary is there. As much as possible it is great
if we can be firm in our boundary and let go of our guilt enough to stay
present and loving with our child.
Sage is a great tried and true way to decrease milk. Used often enough, I do
not believe it is harmful to the child in the amount she or he would
receive. I have heard some use the tincture, and more often and what I
favor is drinking the infusions of the dried leaves. Sip it through the day
until you find an amount that has effect.
At three you can still talk with your child and be true and direct about
what you want.
lots of love,
please do let me know if you would like me to type from the
above mentioned books for further support,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com
Q: Hello Joy -- Thank you very much for all your kind advice and sharing. You're very right about all those emotions both for mother and child during weaning. It seems particularly hard when the child already communicates and can clearly articulate what she wants and has the physical and cognitive development to ask for it and even go and get it. I have not wanted to wean her cold turkey and have waited to see if she weans herself, but she doesn't. I just want to be prepared and use herbal or other gentle aid when the moment comes that she seems more ready -- and I feel more ready -- to end breastfeeding.
Of course, I'd very much appreciate the additional herbal advice that you kindly offer. Thank you!
Blessings,
d.
A: D., I do understand, I too had an image of my son weaning slowly on his
own. And this happens for many so I do hope it is a wonderful gentle
transition for you :)
I see mention of the sage tea or infusion in Susun's Wise Woman Herbal for
the Childbearing Year, with no warning about consuming it while nursing.
Here are some excerpts from Juliette de Bairacli Levy's Nature's Children.
She has a unique writing style. I love what she writes though do not
personally agree with every choice. I love her passion. I trust you to
find in there what feel appropriate for you and what not....
"Breast-feeding, when the mother is normally healthy and strong, is the
easiest stage of child-rearing. But weaning can be difficult for mother and
babe... With every new child the mother has to choose the time for beginning
the weaning from her breast milk. There can be no fixed rule for this. The
time factor differs with every individual child, and with the mother
herself...."
"Weaning is a time of delicate mental adjustment for the child who could
easily feel rebuffed and deprived. The new foods should be offered with
enthusiasm and love, with care taken to ensure that the child enjoys
them...."
"When true weaning begins, in order to slow the production of milk, the
mother will cut down her consumption of liquids. She should take several
charcoal tablets before meals and eat plenty of garden mint, also sorrel if
it can be obtained. There are several kinds of sorrel and any will serve.
The great reed (Arundo donax) is also credited with possessing powers which
inhibit secretion of milk. The white inner pith is chewed, about a
teaspoon, several times daily. Drinks of comon salt in water are also taken
by the mother. Vinegar in which caraway seeds have been soaked for
approximately ten days is applied to the chest and breast, using a flannel
soaked in the lotion, and binding into place at night for seven nights in
succession.... Next, begin to omit one breast-feed every seven days; give
the infant cow's or goat's milk, warmed to moderate heat (but never boiled),
and fed by the cup and teaspoon. If the milk has been pasteurized, then it
should be fortified by adding some "strong water" made from soaking rolled
oats overnight in tepid water to cover, then pressing out the liquid the
following morning and adding a table spoon of honey [not if under a year
old].... After three weeks of this slow weaning treatment, it is time for
complete weaning. Fix some food such as "Slippery Elm Gruel" [recipe in
book] twice daily, at midday and in the evening. Follow it with some mashed
raw fruit... or offer finely grated vegetables such as carrots....Frequent
drinks of water (or herbal teas), as advised for the breast-fed infant, are
especially important for the weaning infant. On waking, let the child have
a drink of lemon water...or add the lemon juice to barley water...."
It appears to me this is designed for the younger child weaning as she goes
on to say by 18 months the child should be completely weaned. She lived
with gypsies, so her ideas are tailored to this lifestyle. She favors
vegetarianism, raw fresh milk, and raw foods. Perhaps something of what she
writes will be a support :)
lots of love, write any time, for more ideas, discuss options, or just
caring from anther mother,
Karen Joy
Recent Comments