Eating Your Way to More Milk, or, Just Fending Off Hunger
- Posted on
- By Sarah LeMay
- Posted in Breakfast for breastfeeding mothers, Breakfasts for starving nursing mothers, eating to boost milk production, mothers left to fend for themselves with a new baby, self-care advice for new mothers
- 1
Here are 4 totally realistic breakfast scenarios and matching recipes likely to give your milk a big boost, or at minimum, keep you from starving to death. I hope you enjoy, and that someone else will cook for you at least once this week.
Scenario 1
You need fast, like, really fast.
Papaya Smoothie
1 banana (one of the 20 you have in your freezer, if you are like me)
1 cup papaya chunks (the source of the milky magic)
1 cup milk (almond, coconut, cow...)
1 squeeze lemon
Combine all and blend with hand blender, knock it back, and run for the door. Run back in, nurse, and change baby's diaper twice. Repeat. You will still take 1.5 hours to get out the door. Sorry. At least you ate fast.
Scenario 2
It's the weekend. Time to make oatmeal to fuel you up for the week (4 portions). In case you don't have an Instant Pot (yes, you are the only one) here are the stovetop instructions.
Stovetop Steel-Cut Oats
1 cup steel cut oats (the milk-boosting ingredient)
3 cups water
1/4 tsp salt
Bring water and salt to a boil, then add oats. Reduce to a very low simmer and cook 15-20 minutes, stirring from time to time. Turn off the heat and let rest 5 minutes. Keep in an airtight container and serve yourself some when you can't put the baby down through the week and may starve before anyone comes to rescue you. With one arm, put a bowlful in the microwave. Then top with milk, fruit, honey, barley syrup...anything you can reach, actually. Cheese. The kids' leftovers. Candy.
Scenario 3
Your partner is in France for a week without you, leaving you with 4 children, one of whom is 5 weeks old. (This is actually my exact situation, so, I hope you don't need this one... however, if you do, we should chat. Call me.)
This breakfast would work nicely for for anyone left to fend in a similar way!
He-Owes-Me-Big-Time Hot Cocoa
1 cup milk of your choice
1 heaping teaspoon cocoa
3 tsp barley syrup (the milk-booster)
A few tablespoons hot water from your kettle
Your tears of bitterness
Boil the kettle, and pour hot water over cocoa and syrup in your favourite mug. Use his mug if you are sentimental, or just smash his favourite mug against the wall. Choose a wall away from where the children may cut themselves. The garage is good, or the basement. Stir, then add milk. Microwave to desired temperature then stir and enjoy, flavouring the drink liberally with your tears. Make a mental list of all the things you are going to do without children on top of you when he gets back. Pump milk to leave with them with so you can relax in an undisclosed location (the salon, the coffee shop, the book store, and the nursing lounge at Evymama).
Scenario 4
Someone else is making your breakfast. You have obviously hired a doula, or your mother is over, or you chose your partner wisely and not only because they have cute dimples. Good for you! Get them to make you the Papaya Smoothie as well.
Breakfast Barley
1 cup pearl barley (the key ingredient)
3 cups water
pinch salt
Heavy cream or warmed milk
dried apricots, chopped (the other key ingredient)
dried cranberries
nuts
honey or barley syrup
cinnamon
Bring barley, water, and salt to a boil. Simmer with the lid on, stirring occasionally over 25-30 minutes. Divide into 4 bowls and top with other ingredients according to your preference. Enjoy!
Need more milk-making help? Check out our galactagogues and this blog post on pumping for milk production.
Need a lactation consultant in Toronto who does house calls? We love the wonderful Helen Marshall at GTA Breastfeeding
Crying tears of laughter! :D