The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Danielle (Everett, WA) on 02/18/2009
I was looking on your site to see if there were any dangers of using ACV while breastfeeding and I see that there are three others with the same question, but couldn't find any answers. I am not having any trouble breastfeeding my 7 month old. My mother in law just started using the daily ACV dose and looks and feels great and has more energy and has not gotten sick this year (she is a grade school teacher). I want to do the same, but want to make sure there will be no problems for my baby or my milk production.
EC: We've been searching the net and this is the typical response to your question:
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Not recommended due to lack of sufficient data.
However, here is one response from mothering.com: (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=886927)
"When I had some problems with plugged ducts in the early weeks of dd's life, I came here and read some of the threads looking for suggestions. Someone suggested apple cider vinegar in order to prevent plugged ducts/mastitis. I did a search on google and found out that it can be used to prevent mastitis. I've been taking a tbsp daily with a little honey and some cold water. I use Bragg - organic apple cider vinegar. You should not have any problems, in fact it will probably be good for you. That's just my 2 cents
Tara"
Dandelion Tea
Posted by Jolynda (Long Beach, California, USA) on 01/19/2009
★★★★★
Our daughter is almost seven months old and she is breastfed. When I first started nursing I would get these terrible shooting pains as soon as she latched on. It hurt so bad that I almost stopped nursing her! I went to a lactation consultant and she said it was probably thrush. Then I went to my doctor and he said I had clogged ducts and that it would eventually go away as long as I continued nursing. He gave me motrin for the pain. However, the pain stayed for over two months! Then a friend of mine suggested trying dandelion leaves or even dandelion root tea. She said that dandelions will not only help with the milk supply, but it will help the milk flow through the ducts more easily. She said we would be able to find the dandelion leaves in an Asian Market, because they are not found in the regular grocery stores. I tried the dandelion leaves as a salad. It's very bitter so you have to put a lot of dressing on it. I ate this salad for a couple of days and the pain went away! I was so relieved! Then I checked online for the dandelion root tea bags (it's caffeine free). I ordered a few boxes (30 tea bags in each box) and I drink one every day! I have not had any nursing issues since! Just make sure you follow the directions on the box. I once let my tea bag sit in the hot water longer than the suggested time and after I drank it, I had a bad stomach ache! The box I ordered says to steep tea bag in a cup of no more than 6 oz. of boiling water, press the bag and remove. It's still bitter but I add 2 scoops of honey to sweeten. Good luck to all the nursing mothers out there!
Dandelion Tea
Posted by Margieson (Japan) on 01/28/2014
★★★★★
What happened to all moms that breastfeeding their babies and then having a problem how to cure the aches of their breast, I do recommend the Dandelion Tea to drink it is such a relief and also a good source of milk supply! When my breast got engorge every time and don't know what to do, My Sister in law bought me a pack of dandelion tea and relate to me how it works and I was amazed that engorgement went away that fast!! I ordered dandelion tea in Amazon.com it's easy to buy from internet than searching in different supermarket. ;)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vanessa (Denver, CO, USA) on 01/11/2009
Please if anybody has any information about taking ACV for weightloss and the side effects it has on breastfeeding, if any, let me know. I was just wondering if there was any reason why I shouldnt be taking it while breastfeeding. Thank you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Leticia (Houston, Texas) on 01/08/2009
Does taking Apple Cider Vinegar affect anything having to do with nursing? My niece has acid reflux and I want to recommend this to her because ACV has helped me so much...can someone shed some light? will it affect an infant thru her milk? If so, what are the side effects?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Aline (Chico, CA) on 01/05/2009
I've been drinking the cleansing dosage of water and ACV and like it very much, but I just heard that, while breastfeeding, I shouldn't drink it. Could it harm my 17 months old son? Is it OK to do a "light" cleansing like this at all? Thanks!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sammy (Johannesburg, South Africa) on 02/26/2015
I have a 3 month old baby and would like to find out if its safe to drink apple cider vinegar. During the day am at work, hence only breastfeed him in the evening, was thinking I drink it in the morning.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 02/26/2015
Dear Sammy,
I put Apple Cider Vinegar in my water every day during my last pregnancy and the entire time I was nursing that baby. I probably used up to 2 T. a day. When my baby was able to drink from my cup he would take sips of my vinegar water, too! :)
I have never heard of Apple Cider Vinegar being a problem for breastfeeding moms.
~Mama to Many~
Gentian Violet for Thrush
Posted by Karen McSpadden (Virginia Beach, Virginia) on 11/29/2008
★★★★★
Natural Breastfeeding Thrush Remedy
In response to the issue of persistent thrush while breastfeeding, I would strongly recommend Gentian Violet. You can pick it up at most drugstores for a couple dollars and it's one of the most effective remedies in my own (frustrating and painful) personal experience with thrush. My daughter and I passed it back and forth for a while and Gentian Violet was the thing that cured it most efficiently.
You paint your nipples and the inside of the baby's mouth three times a day for three days. It's safe to use frequently. Be forewarned-- your nipples (and your baby's mouth) will be a very bright purple so plan to wear breast pads or an old t-shirt during the treatment. Also, I found that once my daughter was older-- over a year, I believe-- she wouldn't nurse from my breasts if they were purple. She didn't seem to be bothered by it when she was younger.
Whenever I have used this remedy, I have had relief from thrush and the accompanying nipple soreness.
Good luck!
Gentian Violet for Thrush
Posted by Mmiller (Tracy, Ca) on 11/17/2009
★★★★★
I experienced thrush with my first daughter and now my second. Gentian Violet is the way to go. As previously stated it is VERY messy. If you rub the area around baby's mouth with oil (I use coconut oil) it keeps the skin clean. Also, soak any stained fabrics overnight in one of the oxy-type laundry cleaners.I use two scoops to a bathroom sink of HOT water. It has worked every time so far however, every so often I need to soak stubborn stains two days. Wash normally after soaking.
Breast Milk
Posted by Shirley (Springfield, Missouri) on 06/20/2008
★★★★★
When you are breastfeeding your newborn and are sore and chapped, try expressing the breast milk, rubbing it into the nipple area, and letting it air dry. When I first start nursing a new baby, I do this 2-3 times a day. It works extremely well! Lanolin cream is great when you need a barrier, but your own breast milk actually heals the soreness. I actually learned this one from my doctor.
My mom taught me that squirting breast milk in your infant's nose is helpful when they are congested.
Breast Milk
Posted by Mesem (Toulon, France) on 01/16/2011
For some support and humour go to Utube and enter 'Phyllis Diller Breast Feeding'. This lady was really onto it. Despite her humour to the contrary she was a natural mother and great home maker. Here in France I think you might get put away for being so pro-mothering.
Anise Seed Tea
Posted by Margaret (Nairobi ) on 07/03/2015
Where can I get the anise seed tea
Breast Milk
Posted by AllieBee (Maine) on 12/12/2020
This is absolutely a ridiculous claim and it's dangerous! It's also shaming many moms who don't follow your EXACT lifestyle! My word! Not a single educated person, dotor, scientist or others would support this outrageous claim. Dear EC team, please take this down, it is spreading very dangerous claims that can harm many families! Breastfeeding is amazing, but cows milk is not anywhere near this "dangerous" or anything of the sort!! Awful Earth Clinic! Awful!
