Homeopathic Support for Breastfeeding

Compared to my mother's generation, there is much more information out there encouraging mothers to breastfeed. We now know that breastfeeding reduces an infant's risk of respiratory tract infections, ear infections, eczema, asthma and diabetes, among other benefits. Yet, for many women, breastfeeding can still present challenges. Studies show that although most women intend to breastfeed, many stop earlier than they had planned because when problems occur, support can be inadequate. The World Health Organization's Breastfeeding Committee found that women who intend to breastfeed often experience conflicting advice, lack of properly trained support, and lack of information about how formula feeding can negatively affect breastfeeding.

Personally, I found breastfeeding more challenging than I expected the first time around, but was lucky enough to have the guidance of my midwife from the moment my baby was born. That, combined with a couple of homeopathic remedies, helped smooth out our somewhat rocky start. Later on, I needed the help of a trained lactation consultant as well. Without those supports I would not have succeeded, despite my best intentions.

Homeopathy is an enormously beneficial support for breastfeeding mothers. The medicines are very gentle and safe during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and for newborns. Homeopathy can treat engorgement, breast and nipple pain, thrush (candida albicans), milk supply issues, colic, as well as emotional states that interfere with breastfeeding, such as postpartum depression and anxiety.

Homeopathy is especially useful when the situation is unusual and the prescribed approaches haven't worked. Because homeopathy is so individualized, I am often able to find solutions where others haven't worked. Sometimes there is a chronic underlying issue in the mother's health that needs to be addressed as well.

Here are some examples from my practice:

• Storm called me for treatment of a sharp shooting pain in her breast on one side only, during nursing. She had been told it was thrush and to try gentian violet, which she did to no effect. I took note of her unusual symptoms (common thrush symptoms were absent) and prescribed a remedy specifically for her, called Phellandrium. It worked within hours.

• Jennifer was having trouble with engorgement. Every movement seemed to jar and cause agony. She could hardly breastfeed because her breasts were hard and the nipples were almost flattened out, so the baby had a hard time latching on. She had tried expressing some milk but found that difficult, and cabbage leaves and hot showers had helped a little but the problem kept recurring. I prescribed Bryonia which resolved things quickly.

Homeopathy is uniquely able to take both physical and emotional symptoms into account to find a solution:

• Alice called me with a very colicky baby who cried day and night. She tried several common homeopathic remedies for colic, to no effect. Then Alice told me her baby had a fear of the dark – very unusual in a newborn. I prescribed a remedy based on both the colic symptoms and fear of the dark, and the baby stopped crying and even started sleeping through the night. I also gave Alice Ricinus communis which increased her milk supply.

General advice for women who plan to breastfeed:

• Have your research done before the birth; make a list of support people and their phone numbers to have on hand.

• Establish a good latch as early as possible – and get help in the first 24 hours if you need it.

• Get as much sleep as you can – this will seem impossible, but it is very important in establishing your milk flow. Take naps every time the baby naps, and drink lots of water.

Breastfeeding Resources in Ottawa:

• Homeopathy helps problems such as milk supply, engorgement, thrush, nipple and breast pain, colic, and postpartum depression. homeopathyottawa.com

• La Leche League holds regular meetings and can offer advice on specific problems you might be facing. lalecheleaguecanada.ca

• Lactation Consultants have a high level of training and provide hands on help. They also offer breastfeeding clinics. ovlc.net

• Ottawa Breastfeeding Buddies pairs breastfeeding moms with new moms. Ottawa Public Health Information 613-580-6744.

• Dr. Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding is an excellent resource, as is his website, which offers tons of free advice and videos. drjacknewman.com