Some herbs and natural remedies should be avoided while nursing because they are medically recognized as containing anti-lactogens, that is, compounds that decrease a mother’s supply of milk. The amount of these herbs normally used in cooking are unlikely to be of much concern. It’s mostly the larger amounts that might be used therapeutically, which could pose a problem.

Learn more about which herbs are safe and which herbs to avoid while breastfeeding.

The intricacies of the human body are almost magical, with no one system or function working entirely on its own. Within a mother’s body, the processes that lead to menstruation, pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding are all interconnected. Just a handful of hormones can dictate each of these functions, with different organs and actions responding in their own way. A fascinating and, sometimes, bewildering example of this is the relationship between menstruation and breastfeeding.

The Sudden Shift from Pregnancy to Postpartum

After you’ve done the work and have pushed a new little human out of your body and into the world, your body knows it’s done something incredible. Every muscle screams it. Your organs seem to fall back into place with every step, every inch of your bottom aches, feeling bruised, swollen, heavy, and in shock.

As a first time mama, I was so focused on preparing for birth. This life changing event was one I would approach with total preparation. I read all that I could, and did all that I could to prepare.

While preparing extensively for birth is a wonderful idea, I made the mistake of overlooking the crucial postpartum recovery period and what the first days and weeks with a newborn is really like.