The Ivy Doula Group, Birth and Lactation Support

03/23/2026

We couldn't say it better! "Think before you drink!" Thank you LALactation

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?

03/21/2026

03/21/2026

03/21/2026

WHAT?! Why on earth would you give an older sibling colostrum (or breastmilk for that matter)?
• Immune boost
• Gut health
• Brain superfood
• Supplemental protein, vitamins & minerals
• It's "yummy!"
The Ivy Doula Group, Birth and Lactation Support

03/20/2026

1️⃣Week from today!🥳 Learn about different options to treat oral tension and/or tethered oral tissues (ties).👅 Share your experiences with surgical treatment, non-surgical treatment, delayed treatment, and non-treatment. 🩺 Ask questions about tongue ties, lip ties, and cheek ties❓️We're here for it all! 🫂

Please remember to register! If you're hoping to make it, either...
📧 email Mandee.ivydoulaandlactation@gmail.com
✉️ message The Ivy Doula Group, Birth and Lactation Support
📱text Mandee at
(267) 973-4489

03/20/2026

Check your medicine cabinet: 90,000 bottles of children’s ibuprofen recalled after reports of gel-like particles, FDA says.

03/20/2026

Wearable pumps can be a game changer, but only if you’re using them correctly. I do multiple fl**ge fittings and bottle consults every single day, and these are the most common mistakes I see (and how to fix them):

1. Assuming “one size fits all” fl**ges
Most wearable pumps come with standard fl**ge sizes and they’re often wrong
👉 The fix: Get properly fitted. Your ni**le size can change postpartum, and the wrong size can tank output and cause pain. Fl**ge inserts come from 13-24mm to make a more optima fit

2. Using it as your primary pump too early
Wearables are convenient, but they’re not as effective at building supply in the early weeks
👉 The fix: Use a primary pump (like a hospital-grade or strong double electric) to establish supply first, then bring in the wearable for convenience

3. Not centering your ni**le correctly
Because you can’t see what’s happening as easily, it’s common to pump slightly off-center, which means less stimulation and less milk removal AND possible ni**le damage. Ouch
👉 The fix: Take an extra few seconds to line things up before turning it on. It matters more than you think

4. Turning the suction up too high
More suction ≠ more milk. In fact, it often backfires and leads to swelling, pain, and reduced output
👉 The fix: Start low and increase gradually. Comfort = better letdowns

5. Wearing it too long (or too often)
Wearables can make it tempting to “set it and forget it”, but longer sessions don’t always mean more milk, and can actually cause inflammation
👉 The fix: Stick to effective session lengths (usually 15–25 minutes) and watch your body for signs of overuse

Bottom line:
Wearable pumps are a tool but not a replacement for good technique and proper setup. When used correctly, they can give you freedom without sacrificing output

Wearables do tend to leave milk behind which will sabotage supply over time. If you’re not responding to your wearable, trouble shoot ASAP. Comment WEARABLE to learn more about different wearable pumps

03/20/2026

Amen!

03/20/2026

We agree!

03/18/2026

Moment 😌 *breathe in. breathe out.*
🌿"Soft face, soft cervix."
Our bodies are complex and interconnected. If you're holding tension in your face, it's likely you're holding tension in other parts of your body, including your cervix. Think about being relaxed and open. "Soft face, soft cervix." Your body knows how to do this!