Kim Wright Lactation Consultant

10/04/2026

Some great advice about positioning and latch. One position or method may not work for everyone. It’s important to find what works best for you and your baby.

You know breastfeeding is going well, when it is comfortable for you and your baby is getting all the milk they need. How it feels is really important for you and our article has information and tips to help you get comfortable.

https://www.laleche.org.uk/comfortable-breastfeeding/

[Image: close up of a baby at the breast, with a deep latch and chin in deep. Text: Comfortable breastfeeding is not about how it looks, but about how it feels for you.]

02/04/2026

Silver ni**le covers are expensive and have no research to back effectiveness. If you use them try and limit the time they are on.

30/03/2026

Just a few things to be mindful of if you are taking the very popular supplement containing Fenugreek.

Mother’s Milk tea is pretty commonly used while breastfeeding and I know a lot of you are probably drinking it. Tea is the weakest form of an herb (besides just eating the plant raw), so if you’re going to drink a tea with boosting supply in mind, it’s recommended to drink 3-5 cups a day for maximum potency. Taking an herb in pill form is more potent than drinking a tea.

Fenugreek, one of the herbs in Mother’s Milk Tea, is also my LEAST favorite herb to recommend. While it has been reported to be an excellent galactagogue for some, and has been used as such for centuries, the few studies that have been done have had mixed results [Swafford 2000, Reeder 2011, Turkyılmaz 2011]. It is similar to clover and has a taste like maple syrup. If you take it, milk supply should increase 24-72 hours after starting the herb, but it can take two weeks for others to see a change. It is commonly found in Mediterranean foods and is considered safe to take while breastfeeding.

Other facts about fenugreek:
⬇️It boosts supply for many, but can drop supply for others. I’ve heard some horror stories of milk supply that plummeted from taking fenugreek
🚽I often hear people report it makes them or baby gassy. Raise your hand if you tried fenugreek and it gave you digestive upsets and nasty smelling gas?!? It also has the side effect of making your body odor smell like maple syrup. My husband thought I wasn’t using deodorant when I was taking it in larger quantities with my second.
💊 If you are taking medication for hypothyroidism or struggle with hypoglycemia, you should not take fenugreek. Fenugreek interacts with the absorption of thyroid medications, so it’s a no-no for those as well as those taking Heparin, Warfarin and other anticoagulants, Ticlopidine and other platelet inhibitors.
🧁Fenugreek seems to slow sugar absorption in the stomach and stimulate insulin. Both of these effects lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
🥜Fenugreek is in the same family with peanuts and chickpeas, and may cause an allergic reaction in those who are allergic to these things.

Did you take fenugreek for your milk supply?

18/03/2026

Did you know that some people experience a drop in supply during the week before their period is due and sometimes during the first days of their period. It can help to take a supplement of calcium and magnesium and to be aware that this may be the reason your baby gets a bit more fussy around this time.

Hormones are powerful little troublemakers sometimes. Your period is one of the classic times they show up and mess with milk supply. If you’ve ever noticed your baby suddenly fussier at the breast or your pump output dipping right before your period, you’re not imagining it.

Here’s what’s happening 👇

Why milk supply can dip during your period

When your menstrual cycle returns, your body’s hormone levels shift, specifically estrogen and progesterone. In the days leading up to your period, those hormones rise and can temporarily interfere with prolactin, the hormone responsible for making milk.

At the same time, many women experience a drop in calcium levels during the luteal phase of their cycle (the days before menstruation). That drop can affect the tiny muscle cells around the milk-making glands that help move milk through the breast.

The result?
• Milk may flow a little slower
• Pump output may decrease
• Babies may seem fussier or want to nurse more often

The good news: this is usually temporary and supply typically rebounds once the period starts or shortly after.

What La Leche League suggests if this happens

La Leche League often recommends a calcium and magnesium supplement during the second half of the menstrual cycle to help stabilize milk supply.

A common recommendation is:

• Calcium: 500–1000 mg per day
• Magnesium: 250–500 mg per day

Starting around ovulation and continuing until your period begins.

Some parents find this significantly reduces the pre-period supply dip.

Other helpful strategies:

• Nurse or pump more frequently for a few days
• Expect temporary cluster feeding (babies are very good at protecting supply)
• Stay hydrated and nourished
• Don’t panic if pump output drops. Pumps exaggerate hormonal dips more than babies do

One more thing that surprises a lot of parents:
Milk supply dips related to your cycle do not mean your supply is disappearing or that you’re “losing your milk.”

It’s a normal hormonal fluctuation.

Most babies ride through this little hormonal roller coaster just fine, sometimes with a bit more snacking along the way.

Bodies are amazing like that. 🩷

25/02/2026

February is Raynaud's Awareness Month

Did you know❓
Raynaud’s phenomenon affects up to 10% of otherwise healthy women aged 21 to 50. It's 9 times more common in women than in men.

Originally it was described as affecting mainly fingers and toes, but it can affect ear lobes, nose and lips as well as parts of the body - including the ni**les.

Some mums experience pain which worsens in the cold, e.g. passing fridges in the supermarket or when exposing the ni**le to feed.

Self-help measures include:
✨Limiting caffeine and stopping smoking
✨Rubbing ni**les with warm oil after feeds
✨Covering breasts with a heat-retaining compress
✨Avoiding decongestants, the contraceptive pill and fluconazole (an antifungal medication)
✨Adding ginger to your diet or bath water

You can read more about Raynaud's and breastfeeding in our factsheet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/raynauds/

If you have any questions, please contact our The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Service 💚



[ID: Raynaud's Phenomenon and Breastfeeding Self-Help Measures. It may be beneficial to add ginger to your diet, drink ginger tea, or put a spoonful of ground ginger in your bath water. Avoid decongestants, the contraceptive pill and fluconazole which can make symptoms worse. Rub ni**les gently with warm oil immediately after feeds or cover the breast with a heat-retaining compress. Stop smoking and limit caffeine intake (both ni****ne and caffeine constrict blood vessels)]💚

21/02/2026

Why is it important to share this? Because it may lead to the thinking that milk is made and stored like this and can “run out”. Increasing anxiety. Milk is made as you need it not stored in “balloons” or “pockets” within the breast.

Just because something is shared widely, doesn't mean it's true.
I really WANT there to be an image of what the lactating breast actually looks like, and I'd share the heck out of it, but this ain't it. Soz

31/01/2026

It’s hard when you’re sick and breastfeeding but it’s important to know what to do, and what not to do, to keep your supply up.

A temporary supply dip can happen when you’re sick. To help prevent it:
✨ Hydration + nourishment first. Fever, congestion, and reduced appetite can lead to dehydration fast. Sip fluids consistently and aim for easy, nutrient-dense foods (soups, smoothies, broths, protein + carbs)

😴 Rest whenever possible. Your body needs energy to recover and make milk. Lower expectations and accept help if you can

🍼 Keep milk removal consistent. Continue breastfeeding or pumping. If you feel miserable, even a few minutes of hand expression or a quick manual pump session helps signal your body to keep producing

👶 Keep baby close. Skin-to-skin and frequent nursing are powerful supply protectors. If you notice a dip and you’re up for it, add a short pump session

💊 Be mindful with medications. Most common cold/flu meds are compatible with breastfeeding, but some (especially decongestants like pseudoephedrine) can reduce milk supply. Always choose breastfeeding-safe options and double-check with an IBCLC or trusted resource.
• Fever reducers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generally considered safe.
• Many cough suppressants and antihistamines are compatible, but may cause drowsiness for you or baby and a temporary dip in supply
• Herbal supplements marketed for colds aren’t always well-studied. “Natural” doesn’t always mean safe for lactation or supply
🧴 Supplements & supply: If your supply dips, focus first on milk removal, hydration, and rest. Galactagogues may help some parents, but they’re not magic and should be used thoughtfully

🔁 Once you’re feeling better: Add a few extra feeds or pump sessions for a couple of days if needed. Your body is incredibly responsive

💛 Do not stop breastfeeding because you’re sick. Your milk is safe for your baby and it’s packed with antibodies tailored to the illness you’re fighting

If you’ve experienced a supply dip while sick, you’re not alone. Have you been through this before?

30/01/2026

Breastmilk is amazing. The more I learn the more amazed I am.

Did you know your Breastmilk is a potent cocktail of hormones. 🙌🏼😱💕

23/01/2026

Helpful resources for reliable information and support.

Kia ora e te whānau, just a gentle reminder that It's important to feel supported during your feeding journey.

Here are just a few of the accounts you can turn to for support during those tough moments:
Hey Māmā - information hub covering all stages from prenatal to pregnancy, postnatal and parenting
Women's Health Action Trust - offers a directory of breastfeeding support across Aotearoa
Te Rito Ora Group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/428369561029609 - community-based service providing breastfeeding and baby feeding information and support
Canterbury Breastfeeding - supporting whānau with breastfeeding information and resources

You don't have to do this alone. Kei a mātou koe hoki 🤍

15/01/2026

Full engorged breasts make it harder for baby to latch. This can make it harder for baby to get enough milk and may cause pain and damage to your ni**le.

15/01/2026

20/12/2025

Good example of how keeping baby close can really impact on how well a baby gets milk and stimulates your supply.