Is milk tea really… as healthy as you think?

Many postpartum mothers are often worried about whether they have enough milk to breastfeed or not? In fact, the proportion of women experiencing this problem is becoming more and more common. An effective solution to this situation that many women believe to use is milk tea.

Because this tea is not only effective for mothers who do not have enough breast milk, this tea is also useful in getting in shape after giving birth . Besides, an advantage for many people to put their faith in milk tea is that most of the ingredients are from natural herbs.

For first-time mothers, you will probably also have many questions and questions surrounding this product category. For example: Is the mother elected to drink milk tea safe and has the expected effect?

In this article, aFamilyToday Health will help you to have an overview of milk tea as well as answer the above questions for you.

Troubleshooting: What is milk tea?

Milk tea is a mixture of different herbs used as tea. Usually pregnant mothers can drink it several times a day during their postpartum period . Currently, this tea has a lot on the market and is advertised as a supplement to increase breast milk production.

So the question is: is the role of this tea really as the name suggests? There have been a few studies on milk tea, but the results are not entirely clear. Despite this, there have also been a few cases reporting that they have had a significant increase in breast milk production since using the product.

Even if the herbal ingredients in tea stimulate the secretion of milk, the key to a mother's body to produce good milk for her baby is to drink water regularly throughout the day to give her body enough. required amount of water.

In addition, taking the time to take care of yourself is also an important factor to help release " love hormone " that is beneficial for mother's milk production in addition to using milk tea.

Herbs are used in milk tea

Here are some herbs you may find when you read the ingredients on the packaging:

1. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is an herb that tastes similar to a maple syrup (a syrup made from red maple tree sap). Although there is still little evidence for fenugreek's dairy effects, few studies have shown that the herb may help increase breast milk production .

However, for those who are both pregnant and breast-feeding, this herb should not be used. Because, it also has the effect of causing uterine contractions. In addition, there is still some other information that fenugreek works similarly to estrogen. Therefore it may not be safe for hormone-sensitive cancer patients.

2. Milk thistle (Milk thistle)

Milk thistle is popularly used for digestive problems as well as for lactation. In fact, similar to fenugreek, there are not many studies to prove this effect of milk thistle. However, you will easily find this ingredient in milk tea products.

3. Fennel seeds

Anise seeds have not been thoroughly studied enough to demonstrate effectiveness in increasing lactation. Two of the small recent studies reported that anise actually improves breast milk production.

4. Stinging nettle

This herb is full of nutrients, especially antioxidants. It is traditionally used to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure . Although it is not safe for a pregnant woman due to its potential to constrict the uterus, there are cases where stinging nettle is used to aid with increased lactation for a favorable lactation. Overall, more studies are still needed to prove this.

5. Duong Luu Luu (Goat's rue)

Calendula, also known as chamois bean, is known to have good effects on the liver, adrenal glands and digestive aid. In addition, this herb also has potential benefits for nursing mothers. This herb is said to be well tolerated. However, like all of the above, more research is needed to confirm this effect.

6. Moringa

Moringa is a common ingredient in milk tea. Moringa is a herb that has been commonly used around the world for many years, especially in areas in North America.

It is widely advertised for its nutritional properties as well as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In fact, the effects of moringa have been studied a lot in animals, but in humans, it is still quite small, especially with its beneficial effects on milk. Even so, not many reports of side effects have been reported so far.

Is drinking milk tea safe for mother and baby?

It is important to note that while some of the effects of herbal and herbal products are still unknown, it is essential to use caution when using it, especially in the case of pregnancy pregnancy and lactation. Because it is possible that different side effects can happen at any time.

Therefore, for safety, it is best to consult a doctor before taking herbal products and only use things that you have used before or without any problems. medically.

There are still some herbs that are not safe to consume while breastfeeding. So, before using, you should prepare and update in detail the list of ingredients that are not safe for yourself and your baby.

How to use the most reasonable?

In general, milk tea is prepared in the same manner as other teas, that is, still using hot water and soaking the tea for a while before use. In addition, some types can still be mixed in large quantities and then used gradually. This depends on the tea's instructions.

Sometimes, you can still add a little sugar, ice or some other flavor you like. Regarding the amount used, it also depends on the recommendation on the tea label, but in general, the amount will fall within 1-3 cups per day.

Tell you other ways to increase breast milk effectively

If tea isn't your cup of tea or the use of the product is not working as expected, there are other ways you can improve your breastmilk intake. Some popular remedies include:

Eat dairy crackers: Especially those that contain oats, wheat germ and flax seeds.

Apply the skin-to-skin method with your child: This not only helps both you and your baby to have relaxing and cozy moments, but feeling happy, filled with love will also be a hormone that helps your milk release more. .

Increase breast pump more often: Postpartum breast milk production is based on the principle of supply and demand. The more and more often you pump, this will fool your body into thinking it needs to produce more milk.

Avoid using certain drugs, smoking, or wearing bras that are too tight. All of the above negatively affect lactation.

Breastfeeding is a very enjoyable experience but equally important. In addition to using milk tea, you can try the above methods to increase lactation even more!