My Review: Motherlove Herbal Company
Monique | Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 12:46AM Severus has been a champion nurser from the very start. Much like Caesar before him, who latched on and didn't pull off until he started to talk. Well, not really that long of course, but with Caesar, sometimes it felt that way.
I didn't make enough milk for him, so we ended up occasionally supplementing with formula until he was around 6 months old and he breastfed and did solids. Mercutio was on the verge of becoming the first exclusively breastfed baby, until The Great Travesty of 2009 happened, and we started supplementing until breastfeeding stopped completely at around 5 months.
Now Severus is carrying the torch! Officially the first Minion to be exclusively breastfed past the age of 4 months. The big boy is on his way to solids now {I know. I weep!}, and I'm certain that we'll make it to that point!
I sincerely don't think it would have happened without Motherlove.
Knowing that I have low supply issues, I bought Mother's Milk Tea while I was still pregnant. But Severus' tummy was not pleased with the fenugreek, so I just did the only thing I could think of - I kept Severus at the breast, almost constantly. {I LOVE COSLEEPING!}
I looked for other ways to boost my supply. I don't own a breastpump, my rental went back early on, {not that I ever pump much anyway} and couldn't find anything supplement wise that didn't contain fenugreek.
One late night, while trolling Twitter, I saw a retweet from @MotherlovePR looking for a nursing mom to review, I quickly glanced over the site, saw they offered fenugreek free supplements and tried really hard not to beg when I sent along my interest.
I shared my arduous breastfeeding whine to Julie and Sheri, took a closer look at their list of breastfeeding supplements, narrowed it down to the More Milk blend and within days, I had it!
I <3 the bottle.
Along with the tincture, I was also sent a sample of the Green Salve, and Nipple Cream.
I might have squeed a little when Caesar had a slight rash, and I found a use for the salve, but it was my only experience with it. About ten minutes later I asked Caesar if he was still feeling itchy and he said "Hey! No, I'm not itchy any more, Mom! That green stuff worked!" so I guess the green stuff worked! {Also, no smell was a bonus.}
The nipple cream, I can tell you, is out.standing. I've been using Lansinoh since Samara was nursing and that worked pretty well for us. Mercutio wasn't fond of the taste and wouldn't nurse until I wiped it off, and Severus was worse, so I took advice from a friend and put cabbage leaves in my bra.
It helped the soreness in the 15 minutes a day I wasn't nursing Sevie, but they were in a constant state of cracked and ouch. I literally ripped open the package, located the nipple cream and applied it before I even fished out the supplement. The next day, Severus was in the middle of nursing {totally not bothered by the taste} when I realized I wasn't wincing in pain.
I've been using the cream for 2 months now, and I have not a single negative anything to remark upon. Hands down, I recommend it.
However, here's the real reason why we're here. The supplement!
First, the negative:
This tincture sure does taste awful, and that is my single gripe. It's better refrigerated, but then I'd forget to take it {4 times daily!}, so it sits on my desk right next to the other important stuff, always in sight.
The shudders of disgust don't last longer than 2 seconds, and that's much better than those times I tried flan, and poi. {I'd recommend getting the caplets, if that's an option.}
Though, it's WORTH IT!
Twelve days after Severus was born, I pumped this much:
And earlier tonight I hand expressed this much:
...from just my left breast.
My slacker boob is still a slacker in comparison to its sister, but there is great progress!
Severus' tummy stays full longer, he nurses less often and is gaining weight faster. I am thrilled, I'm not worried about having to supplement with formula for the first time.
Motherlove, and their More Milk supplement, helped save our nursing relationship.
Visit them on the web, via Twitter, and Facebook.
Full Disclosure: I was not monetarily compensated for this review. I received the supplement in exchange for my honest opinion, and here it is. It belongs to me. All photos are mine as well.
Reader Comments (4)
I wish I would've known about this when Natalie was a baby!
I have a slacker breast too LOL
I am so glad you found a product that helped you, and you didn't have to supplement with formula!! If I have supply issues with my next, I will be sure to check out their products first!
Oh my gosh, I wish I would've known about this with Ray! But! It give me hope for my next baby! That's amazing!
This is a great review! I'm no longer BFing (my "baby" is almost five!), but thanks for sharing the information... I'll pass it on to my new mommy friends!