Do you feel like you’re tapping a dry well every time you use your breast pump? Are you looking for a natural way to boost your milk supply?
Some women need a little help with their milk supply, and that’s nothing to be ashamed about. There are things you can do to aid this process.
We’ve been there and have tried all the options for increasing milk supply. Along the way, we decided to compile this list of all the best lactation teas — the ones that worked best for us and scored great reviews from hundreds of nursing moms. We’ve also added a helpful guide to explain everything you need to know about their milk-boosting properties.
- Certified organic
- Caffeine free
- Contains fenugreek seed
- Organic tea
- Contains fennel
- Good option for women with twins
- All-organic products
- Unbleached tea bags
- Zero calories and gluten-free
- Certified kosher
- Formulated by nurse herbalist
- 100% organic
- No overpowering licorice flavor
- Easy to prepare
- Comes in more than one flavor
- Enjoy this tea hot or cold
- Organic herbal blend
- Yummy mint flavor
Product Reviews
Here are the top lactation teas on the market.
Traditional Medicinals Mother’s Milk Lactation Tea
All Around Herbal Superstar
Women who want to incorporate several galactagogues into their lactation tea will feel like their bases are covered because this one has five — blessed thistle, fenugreek, coriander, anise, and fennel.
But women who are allergic to parsley or chamomile should stay away from this because it could trigger symptoms from that allergy.
While this tea can have a strong smell right out of the box, many moms say the taste is better than the smell.
Moms who like to take in a daily dose of inspiration along with their tea will like how the tags come with positive quotes on them. These are a sweet and encouraging little bonus in addition to the tea’s milk-boosting properties.
Pros
- Certified organic.
- Caffeine-free option.
- Contains fenugreek seed.
Cons
- Requires ten minutes for steeping.
- This tea has a licorice-like flavor some women might not enjoy.
Our Ratings
Upspring Lactation Tea Chai Latte
Powder Mix
This powder chai latte is a delicious, warming, and calming tea. It’s easy to make and has a boatload of benefits. This includes the promotion of a healthy milk supply, increasing a mother’s fluid intake, a great taste, and lactation consultants recommend it.
It works with your body to naturally support the hormones that supply your milk. This naturally sourced drink will get your milk flowing, so feeding your little one is a bit easier.
It’s a super-concentrated formula that contains three breast milk boosters: fenugreek, blessed thistle, and anise. You should take this one to three times per day as a tasty alternative to fenugreek pills. You can enjoy this hot or cold.
Pros
- Only chai-flavored fenugreek lactation supplement on the market.
- Helps promote milk supply.
- Natural ingredients.
- You can drink it hot or cold — or as a smoothie!
Cons
- Doesn’t mix well.
- Not a very authentic chai taste.
Our Ratings
Herb Lore Organic Nursing Tea
Lovely without Licorice
Some women love to use loose leaf tea because they worry about the chemicals and potential toxins in tea bags, which have sometimes been bleached. If you’re one of these women, you’ll appreciate that Herb Lore tea is a loose leaf tea, so you can skip the teabag.
This tea contains moringa, which has a great reputation for upping your breast milk production. Plus, moringa is loaded with vitamins, protein, iron, antioxidants, and amino acids.
Because this tea doesn’t have anise in it, it doesn’t taste like licorice, which is nice for moms who don’t like that flavor and have to contend with seemingly every lactation tea tasting the same.
And since this is a loose leaf tea, you can control the amount you want to use, which is nice for moms who like their tea a little stronger but don’t want to use two tea bags for one cup.
Pros
- This tea is organic.
- It contains fennel, which is one of the more powerful galactagogues.
- Strong galactagogues make this a good option for moms of twins.
Cons
- Doesn’t contain fenugreek, which some moms prefer to have.
- Requires 15 to 20 minutes of steeping — that’s a long time for a busy mom.
Our Ratings
The Republic of Tea Fenugreek Lactation Tea
Pure and Natural
This tea makes use of organic fenugreek seeds, one of the most popular and powerful herbs for increasing your milk supply so you can pump more milk. The tea contains organic cinnamon, which really improves the flavor. The only other ingredient is carrot. Because it uses all-organic products, moms don’t have to worry about pesticides.
Packed in unbleached tea bags, this is a good pick for anyone worried about the harmful chemicals in processed tea bags. There are no tags or strings on these bags either, and the blend contains no gluten. Overall you can be confident that each all-natural cup is doing something great for your baby.
Pros
- It’s organic.
- No bleach in the tea bags.
- The cinnamon adds to the flavor.
Cons
- Lacks the convenience of teabags.
- It’s a bit pricier than some other options.
Our Ratings
Earth Mama Angel Baby Lactation Tea
Caffeine-free Convenience
This tea also contains many herbs that encourage more milk, including fennel, fenugreek, milk thistle seed, anise seed, and caraway seed. Having so many herbs that help with production will make some moms feel they’re doing everything in their power to drum up some extra milk for their babies.
Moms who want to use natural products that haven’t been tampered with or genetically engineered in any way will like that these herbs are GMO-free. There are so many things to worry about as a mom, and the safety of your food and drinks shouldn’t be yet another thing.
This brew is naturally caffeine-free, which will ease the worries of moms who plan to drink several cups of it every day.
Pros
- This is certified kosher.
- A nurse herbalist formulated this tea.
- It’s 100 percent organic.
Cons
- Some moms said they had to improve the flavor by adding honey or sugar.
- This tea is a little pricier than some others on the market.
Our Ratings
Oat Mama Lactation Tea
Delicious and Fenugreek-free
If you’re a fan of flavored tea and you’re searching for ways to bolster your breastmilk supply as your child grows, take a deep breath and don’t worry, mama. Like the ones made by Oat Mama, Fenugreek-free teas can be an effective way of boosting your flow without any unpleasant side effects, such as body odor.
These teas are also caffeine-free, which is one less thing for you to worry about. They don’t contain any calories, and they’ll help you get the extra water you’ll need when you’re breastfeeding.
Unlike some lactation teas, this doesn’t taste like black licorice or fenugreek, which can be a turn-off for some moms.
The flavors, such as the blueberry pomegranate blend, are made from organic herbs and natural fruit flavors. You’ll get a pleasant taste and still feel like you’re doing all you can for your milk supply with every sip.
Pros
- This doesn’t have that overpowering licorice flavor some lactation teas do.
- Doesn’t contain fenugreek, which can cause a strong body odor in many people.
- Easy to prepare.
- Comes in more than one flavor.
Cons
- On the pricey side.
Our Ratings
Pink Stork Herbal Mint Lactation Tea
Delicious Hot or Cold
You never know when those pregnancy cravings will hit and change your appetite. This special lactation tea was created to be delicious hot or cold, so you can enjoy it no matter what you’re craving.
It’s got a sweet and tasty blend of organic herbs, including fennel, fenugreek, anise, and spearmint. Overall, this tea has a yummy mint flavor and is best prepared by steeping each tea bag in boiling water for five minutes. It’s most effective when taken 1-3 times a day.
We love the special pyramid teabag design, which holds a larger and more flavorful portion of tea. The formula works to boost milk production and flow while helping your baby’s digestion issues, colic, and gas. It’s also great to help busy moms stay hydrated.
You get 15 tea sachets in a box, making 30 cups of tea — each sachet makes two cups. Since you can enjoy it cold, we suggest making a cup to drink hot and then storing the other in the fridge.
Pros
- Enjoy this tea hot or cold.
- Organic herbal blend improves milk flow, production, and taste.
- The yummy mint flavor is strong and delicious.
Cons
- Tea may go to waste if you can’t drink two cups in one sitting and don’t want to store the rest.
Our Ratings
What Is Lactation Tea?
People have used herbs and teas for thousands of years for various purposes and ailments, including low milk supply. Certain herbs, such as fennel, anise, coriander, and fenugreek, are known to help women produce more milk. This is important today, and it was crucial in the days where you couldn’t buy formula to supplement your baby’s needs.
If it’s worked for that many years, it’s worth a try to see how much it can help you.
Keep In Mind
Who Can Benefit From Lactation Tea?
Moms who are low on milk might want to consider lactation tea. Lactation tea can also help moms who are trying to build a freezer stash for when they return to work. However, when trying to boost milk supply quickly, it’s always best not to put all your eggs in one basket.
You should try other tips as well, especially if you’re opposed to supplementing with formula in case your milk supply doesn’t respond as well as you’d hoped.
And if you decide you’re going to try a galactagogue (which is just a fancy name for an herb that’s used to boost up breast milk supply), try more than one in your tea. Adding additional herbs may do you more good than just having one, and it can also enhance the flavor of the tea.
Is Lactation Tea Safe?
The biggest no-no you’ll sometimes hear about drinking tea while breastfeeding is related to the caffeine content. As your doctor has probably told you, caffeine can impact your baby by making them jittery.
But lactation teas are generally caffeine-free, so that means you’re in the clear, right? Not so fast. First, you should consult with your doctor or medical professional. The problem is that not all herbal teas are created equal.
Some teas are safe during pregnancy, while others are questionable or should be avoided. If you’re thinking about trying lactation herbs, here are some things to check first.
- Make sure it doesn’t contain much caffeine, especially if you’ll be drinking several cups a day.
- Check the list of ingredients and make sure your doctor signs off on them.
- Avoid drinking any teas that contain plants you’re allergic to or that cause you any sensitivities.
- Don’t buy anything that isn’t labeled clearly.
- Only buy your teas from a trusted source.
- If you’re taking any medications, ask a pharmacist to ensure the tea won’t interact with the active ingredient in your medications.
What Teas to Avoid While Breastfeeding
There are certain herbs your doctor will tell you to stay away from. The list is long and can include teas that have the following fairly popular herbs or plants as an ingredient (1):
- Ginseng.
- Valerian.
- Kava-kava.
- Star anise.
- Ginkgo.
- Aloe.
- Licorice.
- Basil.
- Rhubarb root.
That isn’t a complete list of herbs to avoid — just some of the more common and popular options. When in doubt, always consult your doctor.
Other teas can have the opposite effect of what you’re looking for. If you use the wrong herbs, they can decrease your milk supply. To ensure this doesn’t happen, stay away from the following herbs (2):
- Sage.
- Menthol.
- Mint teas — you can use a little of these if your baby has colic because it may help soothe their tummy if they get the benefits through your breast milk, but don’t overdo it.
- Lemon balm.
- Oregano.
- Parsley.
- Thyme.
- Yarrow.
- Chickweed.
- Black Walnut.
- Sorrel.
How Much Lactation Tea Should I Drink Per Day?
You’ll want to try to drink about three cups a day. Depending on your taste buds, you may love the taste. If you don’t, try to improve the flavor by adding a bit of sugar or honey. If that isn’t doing the trick, add a little juice to see if that helps.
Some people like to drink their lactation teas hot, but if you’re not a hot tea type of person, you can easily put it over ice.
Quick Note
Regardless of how your supply does, you shouldn’t stay on these teas permanently. You should constantly try to wean yourself off. If you don’t take short breaks from them, your body can get used to them, and they may eventually stop helping your milk supply.
Lactation Tea FAQs
How Quickly Does Lactation Tea Work?
Every lactation tea is a little different. Make sure you read the back of the box of tea you buy, because there you’ll find how long the tea takes to work and how much of it you should drink.
Some teas need to be drunk a few times a day to see results, so it might be worth it to research the tea you most want before purchasing.
Does Chamomile Tea Affect Milk Supply?
There is an ongoing debate about this. Some moms have found that drinking chamomile tea has upped their milk supply by 20%.
If you like the taste of chamomile tea or are having difficulties producing milk, this tea might be a good fit for you. Still, other sources claim this doesn’t work and that you shouldn’t drink this tea in excess while breastfeeding.
Is Raspberry Leaf Tea Good for Breastfeeding?
The science around teas and breastfeeding is… tricky. While it’s true raspberry leaf tea is great for female reproductive health overall, there isn’t any solid evidence drinking it will increase milk supply.
Some moms swear by it and say that it does help increase their milk supply, so this tea could be worth a shot.
What Chinese Herbs to Avoid While Breastfeeding?
There are several types of Chinese herbs to avoid while breastfeeding to ensure your little one’s nervous system develops correctly. Make sure to stay away from:
- Huangbo
- Luhui
- Huanglian
- Dahuang
- Wuzuyu
- Fanxieye
- Kushengen
What Is the Best Drink for Lactation?
Our favorite lactation drink is the Traditional Medicinals Mother’s Milk Lactation Tea. Moms everywhere praise this tea for doing what it’s supposed to do-increasing milk supply in a clean, organic way.
Another huge plus is that this tea is caffeine-free, so you won’t have to worry about excess caffeine infiltrating your milk supply.
The Bottom Line
One of the best lactation teas you can get is the Traditional Medicinals Mother’s Milk tea. With five organic galactagogues packed in this tea, you’ll be doing everything you can herbally to stimulate your production. Plus, it has fenugreek, one of the best herbs you can use to increase your supply.
We also love the inspirational quotes on the tags. What mom doesn’t like a message that makes her feel good or think about her life and purpose in the midst of a busy day?
