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Professor Zhang Chunling offers Chinese medicine advice on breastfeeding

In response to the World Breastfeeding Week and to support working mothers to sustain breastfeeding, Professor Zhang Chunling, Professor of Practice in CLNC, shares Chinese medicine advice on breastfeeding, including dietary therapy and acupressure, to address common breastfeeding concerns such as insufficient milk secretion and blocked duct.

From the Chinese medicine’s point of view, breast milk is produced from Qi and blood. Milk deficiency can be a result of insufficient Qi and blood, deficiency of spleen and stomach, emotional distress, and poor circulation. Mothers should avoid food that is cold and raw or excessively sweet and spicy during breastfeeding, which can damage the spleen and stomach, and cause blocked duct. Breastfeeding mothers should ensure good nutrition, avoid exposure to cold, and maintain a relaxed and happy mood.

To address these breastfeeding issues, Professor Zhang recommends the following health tips:

·        Dietary therapy

Dietary therapy should focus on nourishing Qi and blood as well as the liver and kidney to ensure a good supply of milk. Some popular soups include papaya and crucian carp soup, lotus root and octopus soup, five-finger peach and chicken soup, peanut black-eyed pea and pork trotter soup, Cordyceps flower soup with dried yam and wolfberry, and Du Zhong black bean soup with walnut.

·        Acupressure

Alternately apply pressure on the acupuncture point “Lesser Marsh", located on the ulnar side of the little finger, for 5 minutes at a time and 1-2 times a day.

·        External application to relieve breast engorgement

The white part of scallions can be used for external application. Wash the scallions with the roots attached, wrap them in gauze, and steam them. Apply the scallion wrap to areas of the breast where milk flow is blocked, but do not use on damaged or eczema-prone skin. Wipe the breast clean with a hot towel after application to avoid stimulating the baby’s lips with scallion juice during breastfeeding.

Other breastfeeding concerns:

·        Is it safe to take Chinese medicine during breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding women can take Chinese medicine to regular their Qi and blood to help with the milk flow. However, if there are other health issues such as cold, joint pain, or skin itching that require the use of Chinese medicine, it is advisable to consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to ensure it is safe to continue breastfeeding.

·        How long should the baby be breastfed?

It is recommended that women breastfeed for 8 to 10 months after giving birth, but the actual duration should be determined based on the mother's physical condition.