Safe Herbs to Use While Nursing

Hi Corey,

Get a colonic. That is safer. Ask her when you go.

She is in Quakertown at ###-###-####

Hope this helps. D.

Please do not start dieting until you are done nursing. Your body needs all the calories it can get to keep up your milk supply. And I would hold off on any supplements until after you are done also, especially the colon cleanse, because you have no idea if they will have any adverse effects on your baby. As a nurse, I can tell you that the colon cleanse will certainly clean you out, including important electrolytes such as potassium, and you should really wait until it's just your body at stake and not the baby's.

Hi, I just wanted to put in my two cents. I am a personal trainer and I also run a prenatal/postpartum fitness program called Baby Boot Camp. I agree with you that you should not start any herbal supplements until you are finished nursing but I also think you should not diet at all until finished nursing. When you nurse, you need extra calories not less and Weight Watchers employees may not be qualified to make that call. Have you spoken with your OB/Gyn about this? Until you are finished nursing you should make good food choices and try to get as much exercise as you can fit in. I know this is difficult but it is safer and healthier for you and your baby. Please speak with your doctor before you start any diet.

Also, for more articles on losing weight and exercise check out www.babybootcamp.com and click on Fitness Center.

Weight Watchers is a great way for nursing moms to lose weight b/c they take into consideration the extra caloric needs for nursing. I know that if you lose weight too rapidly your milk supply may diminish. I've been on Weight Watchers for several months and I can lose 1-2 lbs/ week without affecting my milk supply. I'm not familiar with the Dr. Oz weight loss plan, but if you want to continue nursing, you may want to stick with Weight Watchers until your baby is weaned just to make sure that you're not losing too much and that way you are not taking any chances with the herbs. Good luck!

Weight Watchers is of course safe. The supplements you'd have to look at the ingredients. You could look them up & then look at the list of herbs that you're supposed to avoid during lactation on www.KellyMom.com
Personally, I'd hold off a few months till your child weans himself. You could do WW in the meantime & actually get MORE points (a lot more!) while nursing. Some one in a REALLY good health food store may know the answer for sure, but KellyMom.com is a good place to start.
Hope that helps some!
(by the way--good for you for still nursing!!!!!)

I would ask your pediatrician or contact someone from La Leche League. They should know more about it and be able to give you information. Best of luck!

Hi Corey,
I also considered trying the Acai Berry supplement and the colon cleanse supplement however I wanted to tell you, if purchaseing it online do not buy from Nature's Acai. I made the mistake of ordering just the Acai and they charged me for all of these other charges I didn't order. I had to go through disputes at my bank and sending the unopened item back. I just wanted to tell you to be careful. Also, As far as your question, I would say to call your OB, he or she should guide you in the right direction. take care!

It was my personal opinion that no herbs were safe while nursing. Since they are not regulated I feel that you truly do not know what you are getting in that bottle. At least prescription medications are regulated and tested so you know exactly what you are getting and what effects it could have on your child.

Why not just rejoin Weight Watchers and be done? The program works without supplements and they do take nursing mother's needs into consideration. Although when I joined my baby was 18 months old and was not getting the bulk of her nutrition from me so I did have to drop my points intake down as if I was not a nursing mother.

I wouldn't use any herbal products while nursing. I know a lot of people use them w/o problems, but most herbals haven't been tested for safety and efficacy and for standardization of dosing. You also don't know what could pass to the baby. As far as colon cleansing, you have to be careful because you could lose lots of electrolytes this way and could potentially cause some problems (dehydration, decreased milk supply, dizziness, heart palpitations). Weight watchers worked for me when I actually stuck to it. It makes the most sense out of any diet plan. I highly recommend it, but have heard some not so great things about the colon cleansing/acai berry way.

I agree with everyone..hold off on the herbs (btw, great job for nursing this long!)

I have always been warned not to diet while nursing...BUT I was also told that the "South Beach Diet" is the best way to eat everyday (this was told to me by two doctors). I would suggest Phase 2 and 3 (do NOT do 1 while nursing). So, how about eating South Beach style and not restricting your calories? You will lose the unnecessary weight yet still have a healthy milk supply for your little one.
Good Luck!

Corey, I would consult your lactation consultant, physicians and pediatrician first. I know when I started herbs (I wasn't nursing at the time), my doctor recommended I look for a certain seal on the bottle that meant it was tested and approved although not by the FDA. Also, you really should consult your physician before strating any diet, but especially now when you are recovering from delivery and nursing.Please let us know how you make out.

You posted this several months ago, and you may have found some other ideas by now, but in case you might be interested, here are some articles about weight loss while breastfeeding...

http://www.llli.org/NB/NBweightmother.html

Best wishes,
J.