Homeopathy for Breastfeeding Support
- Nora Pettik
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 11
Boosting Milk Supply and Tackling Breastfeeding Challenges
Breastfeeding is one of the most natural ways to nourish a baby, yet for many mothers it brings challenges: low milk supply, oversupply, pain, or emotional strain. Homeopathy, with its gentle and deep‑acting remedies, offers safe support for both mother and baby. Let's look at common concerns and how specific remedies can help.
Are you struggling with milk supply?
Sometimes milk does not come in as expected, or it reduces because of stress, tiredness, or illness.
In homeopathy, low potencies are used to help make more milk, while higher potencies are used to help reduce it.
Key remedies to encourage milk flow:
Urtica urens – A well‑known remedy that helps the milk glands work better when milk is too little. But in high potency, it has the opposite action and is often chosen to decrease or dry up milk when there is oversupply, weaning, or when milk secretion needs to be checked.
Ricinus communis – Helps increase milk when given in a low potency, and helps reduce milk when given in a higher potency.
Alfalfa – Supports the mother’s strength and nutrition so that the milk becomes richer and more abundant.
Dulcamara – Can help when milk is not enough without a clear reason.
What if you have too much milk?
An overabundance of milk can be as troublesome as too little. It can lead to engorgement or mastitis if not balanced.
Pulsatilla – Suits mild, emotional mothers who are sensitive, with changeable flow and oversupply. (more about Pulsatilla here)
Lac caninum – Balances milk when supply shifts between breasts or is excessive, often with feelings of insecurity.
Ricinus communis – In higher potency, it is traditionally used to reduce over‑secretion.
Painful or inflamed breasts?
Mastitis is a common breastfeeding hurdle. Homeopathy has a trio of remedies with distinct pictures:
Phytolacca – Shooting pain radiates from the nipple; breasts feel hard and nodular.
Belladonna – Red, hot, throbbing breasts with sudden inflammation and a feverish feeling. (more about Belladonne here)
Bryonia – Pain worsens with motion or touch; the mother prefers to lie still and not move.
Cracked nipples and blocked ducts?
Phytolacca is best when there is breast inflammation, radiating pain, and general glandular involvement.
Castor equi is chosen when the main complaint is very deep, cracked, bleeding nipples with extreme local pain, even without mastitis.
Silicea – Supports the clearing of blocked milk ducts, encouraging natural drainage and helping lumps to soften.
Baby vomiting milk
Silicea – The baby vomits milk easily but stays calm; often linked to slow growth or sensitive digestion.
Aethusa cynapium – The baby vomits milk soon after feeding, often curdled, with weakness or even convulsions; shows intolerance to milk itself.
Did you struggle to breastfeed previous babies?
Lac humanum – A special matridonal remedy that strengthens the mother–child connection and helps both mother and baby start fresh when past attempts at breastfeeding were difficult.
Homeopathy for Breastfeeding: Natural Balance and Healing
Homeopathy respects the natural rhythms of mother and child. By choosing a remedy that matches the individual picture, it can ease breastfeeding difficulties, stimulate or reduce supply as needed, and support healing both physically and emotionally. (Read more about how to collect a whole symptom picture)
References:
William Boericke – Homeopathic Materia Medica
John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Materia Medica
James Tyler Kent – Lectures on Materia Medica
Constantine Hering – Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica
Disclaimer: The information provided here should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified and licensed healthcare provider. The information provided is for informational purposes only. For professional assistance, please book a consultation!
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