Legendairy Milk: Natural Product Review

With World Breastfeeding Week this week, I wanted to follow up on my breastfeeding journey to share about a product that made it possible for me to nurse my daughter for over a year.

There are so many reasons that women can struggle with low milk supply, whether it be due to hormone issues or issues with the baby’s latch.  The amount you pump is NOT a good indicator of whether you have a low supply, so I would recommend working with a lactation consultant to determine if it is truly low supply or something else.  Ultimately, after I did everything I could (lots of water, frequent nursing, high fat + protein diet, etc) to increase my supply while working with an LC, it was clear I did not produce enough.

There were two things that helped tremendously to boost my supply and make it possible for me to nurse without supplementing.

First – pumping at 4 am. Thanks to hormones, our bodies typically produce the most milk between midnight and 4 am.  It is probably why newborns wake up a thousand times during those hours. It was literally the WORST, especially when my baby started sleeping through those hours, but it worked. I got up to pump every night at 4 am for 8 months. At 4 am I could pump like 6-10 oz!! If I waited til 5 or 6am, it would only be 3oz.  If you are struggling to get enough milk for bottles during the day, I would absolutely (find a great show on Netflix and) try this.

Second – I eventually needed some extra help and tried supplements.  I tried the classic Fenugreek tea first with little difference until I learned that fenugreek can also hurt supply in some and have other side effects, so I decided to steer clear. I then tried Moringa, which helped for a few weeks, but then abruptly stopped. Finally, I found a local company- Legendairy Milk– that made organic lactation supplements. A friend let me try some she had leftover and I started to see a boost in supply, so I ordered it myself and continued to use until I weaned.

Legendairy MilkThey use a variety of ingredients like shatavari, moringa, milk thistle, goat’s rue, fennel, black seed, anise and alfalfa. You can read more about the historical use of these herbs and science behind them here.

Legendairy Milk makes several different lactation blends, each with a different mix of ingredients.  Herbs work differently for different people and they don’t always agree with everyone (for example, a couple of them lower blood sugar), so you can read the descriptions and see what may be best for you. Overwhelmed by the options, I decided to try the Bestseller’s Bundle and was thankful I did.

For the rest of the months that I nursed, I switched between Pump Princess, Liquid Gold and Milkapalooza. As I got to the end of each bottle, it would become less effective; then when I switched, it would work again. All that to say- don’t get discouraged if it works great at first then starts to decline; try another blend and go back to it in a few months.

I used the recommended dosage- 2 pills, 3 times a day- and that worked well for me. I didn’t experience any side effects and there was no bad taste in my mouth from the pills. They were easy on the stomach too!

Thank you, Legendairy Milk (P.S. This post is not sponsored.), for helping maintain my milk supply and allow me to continue breastfeeding. I am so very grateful.

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Natural Pain Relief

For most of my life, I struggled with some level of back pain on a daily basis.  Chronic pain is just awful and, unfortunately, far too common.  It affects every area of life – relationships, work, exercise, activities; it’s hard to focus on anything other than that pain.  I tried different medications and therapies with no relief, and then suffered the side effects of pills… too much ibuprofen over time actually sent me to the hospital for a week (even though I used as directed by my doctor!).  In fact, recent research has shown that over-the-counter pain relievers increase risk for heart attack and stroke, can have a significantly negative impact on a woman’s fertility, and cause kidney damage.

Eventually, I started looking to natural alternatives to address my health issues and found significant relief.  I still have my bad days, but have found some great solutions that really help.  If you’re looking to try something new without the dangerous side effects of medication, here are my top 5 methods for natural pain relief:

Curcumin SupplementTurmeric

Yes, the spice!  Turmeric has been widely used in Indian medicine for centuries; one of its components – curcumin – is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Research has also shown that turmeric helps aid in the “prevention of cancer, protection against heart disease, reduce Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, ease pain and inflammation, boost bone health, protect the immune system from bacterial infections, and increase the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the body.” (Source)

I take a curcumin supplement daily to help with inflammation & my back pain.  You could also add it to your diet – try this delicious turmeric tea recipe or my Coconut Curry Chicken recipe.


Topricin CreamTopricin

This anti-inflammatory pain relief cream is a safe alternative to medication that is effective for muscle, tendon, ligament and nerve tissue pain. It is safe for the elderly (as it does not interfere with medication), kids, pregnant women, and for all skin types.  It has no odor or fragrance, no petroleum and is non-greasy &, non-staining.  When I have back pain, I rub this on and the results are instant.  Plus, its actually working to promote healing, not just masking the pain.


Pain Relief Essential OilsEssential Oils

  1. PanAway – This blend of wintergreen, helichrysum, clove, and peppermint combines oils that each have anti-inflammatory properties, making for a super-effective combo.  It “…reduces pain and inflammation, increases circulation, and accelerates healing.  It relieves swelling and discomfort from arthritis, sprains, muscle spasms and cramps, bumps, and bruises” (Source: Essential Oils Pocket Reference).  Mix a couple drops with some coconut oil and rub on the area of pain.
  2. Deep Relief – This blend takes the combo above to the next level by adding some additional oils to the mix.  It comes in a roll-on tube already mixed with liquid coconut oil for easy spot-on application.  Here is what it contains:
    • Wintergreen – relieves head and muscle tension
    • Helichrysum – restorative support for nervous system
    • Clove – anti-inflammatory, supports immune function
    • Peppermint – anti-inflammatory, helps relieve headaches
    • Copaiba – supports the body’s response to irritation
    • Lemon – purifying properties
    • Palo Santo – relieves pain and inflammation in joints and muscles
    • Balsam Fir – relaxes the body and soothes muscles
    • Vetiver – grounding, helps with stress and tension

If you’re interested in trying out essential oils, check out my guide to getting started.  Bonus – PanAway comes in the Young Living Premium Starter Kit!


Drink Water

I know, that sounds way too simple, but listen… Our body is made up of 75% water and our brain tissue is 85% water. Adequate hydration is essential to our bodies and brains functioning properly.  We tend to think that we are “thirsty” when our mouths become dry and we crave a drink, but this is actually the last outward sign of dehydration – if you are feeling this, your body is screaming for water.

Chronic pain is a huge indicator of thirst.  For a while, painkillers may work, but eventually the brain will become so dehydrated that it will register all pain until it gets enough water.  And, until it does, the pain will increase and the body will limit the mobility of those areas in order to “prevent the production of additional toxic waste” that water, if available, would wash out. If you are experiencing consistent back pain, leg pain or headaches, take note.

I’ve started making sure I drink 8 glasses of water per day (if not more) to stay consistently hydrated.  When I do have back pain, the first thing I do is drink several glasses of water to see if the pain passes.  Surprisingly, it actually works most of the time. And if it doesn’t, no harm, and I move on to the other options above.


Chiropractor

If you haven’t visited a chiropractor, you are seriously missing out. I have seen dramatic healing by visiting my chiropractor regularly.  I started off seeing her 3 times a week when my pain was constant, and as I improved, it became less frequent.  Now, I see her for adjustments and some PT or massage every two weeks.  What I have found incredible about adjusting my spine is how much it also affects the overall nervous system and brain.  It’s improved the health of my body as a whole… it sounds a bit crazy, but my chiropractor has also helped with my allergies, ear infections, headaches and digestive issues.

It can be hard to find the right one, but if you’re in Austin, I have a great recommendation for you: Tracie Schwab at Backbone Wellness Center.  Plus, most insurance companies will cover your visits (with a copay) up to a certain number each year.


While these natural methods may not work for all types of pain, I pray that they help provide some safe relief next time you are suffering.  Let me know how they work for you or if you have any other suggestions!

 

 

It’s That Time of Year…

Cold and flu season. Up until a couple of years ago, I generally spent December – March being sick all the time.  No matter how many times I washed my hands or tried to stay away from people, I always caught something.  And when I got a cold, it would be weeks, if not months before I got over it; plus, it usually developed into bronchitis or a sinus infection, and even pneumonia once, at some point too.

Well, I joined the club and caught a cold over the weekend.  But, I’m already much better.  Coincidence?  I think not!  Eating healthy gives you the nutrients your body needs to keep your immune system in good shape so that it can do it’s job.  I focus on a few key items in my diet, especially when I’m sick, to aid the healing process:

  • Kombucha tea – contains lots of probiotics that fight off the bad bacteria attacking your system
  • Bone broth – soups with broth made from chicken/beef bones and full of veggies pack lots of nutrients (I’ll be sharing an easy recipe later this week!)
  • Water – drink lots of it… not only does it help move toxins through your body, but it moisturizes mucous and helps move it through the sinuses

I also want to share a few great articles to expand upon some of the supplements I take daily (and more of when I’m sick) as well as a few other natural ways to help prevent or fight off a cold or the flu fast:

Supplements cannot replace a good diet, but since many of our foods are now lacking the nutrients they had just a hundred years ago, they can definitely help boost your system. When buying supplements, make sure you look for those made from whole foods.  Taking fake vitamins that are manufactured from chemicals won’t help… you need real vitamins from real foods.  I find the best selection at People’s Pharmacy and Natural Grocer here in Austin.

Stay healthy!

– Christine