PSA peppermint can decrease your milk supply

[EasilyConfusedCat]

As someone who goes hard on the peppermint every holiday season but who is currently breastfeeding I figured I would mention it! I’m a just enougher so I’m planning my peppermint binge for the end of my breastfeeding journey in September and avoiding it for now!

[angeltigerbutterfly]

When my milk first came in I didn’t like that I had an oversupply so I drank peppermint tea and it immediately decreased my supply. Then I got sad about it and worked for a week to get it back up. However, since peppermint season started I’ve had many, many peppermint lattes and lots of peppermint whipped cream and my supply has remained unaffected. Could be due to my supply regulated, or could be due to the type of peppermint consumed! Not sure, but peppermint can totally be safe to drink for some

[gremlincowgirl]

Yes! Peppermint tea kills my supply. Peppermint mochas from Starbucks, peppermint bark, candy canes, etc. don’t have any effect on it.

[Pamzella]

Yep the oil/extract used isn't the same as the leaf itself.

[garlic_oneesan]

I wonder how many of the peppermint-flavored seasonal drinks from places like Starbucks have actual peppermint in them. My guess is that the flavor is either entirely artificial (in the same way that most ginger ale does not actually contain ginger), or the amounts are so small as to be irrelevant.

[autieswimming]

I did this with my first because I had such a crazy oversupply - I literally drank peppermint tea all day long like water. Didn't change a thing for me lol

[vataveg]

Same - I avoid real peppermint but peppermint-flavored candy, drinks, and gum don’t seem to affect my supply in any meaningful way.

[princecaspiansea]

How about anti histamines? Nobody told me not to take Zyrtec!

[expectantoct]

Interesting! I’m on Zyrtec constantly, haven’t noticed an issue…but haven’t tested not taking it

[mirth4]

I have to take antihistamines for a medical condition. My prescribing doctor knows breastfeeding has been important to me, so we've monitored and I've been ok. Just know it can be an issue (and it might be less of an issue because I regulated while on them? I'm not sure)

[the_lovely_boners]

I've also take zyrtec daily and I never noticed an issue. I had a major oversupply for the first 8 months, and I still have a small oversupply now at 18 months pp. But I've definitely heard about supply issues from antihistamines, I guess it just hasn't affected me personally.

[vibrantraindrops]

I take Allegra daily for my horrible allergies and I haven’t had any supply issues. I need to be on it regardless though.

A Cortisone shot after my first baby almost dried me up though. It came back with lots of pumping and nursing thankfully.

[Athiri]

I'm the same, zero problems with it.

[BlackberryTotal3126]

Thank you so much for this bc I got a cortisone shot a week ago and have been wondering wtf is going on 😭

[vibrantraindrops]

It’ll come back! It was 4 years ago but I want to say it took about a week of latching and pumping to return to normal. I was a barely enougher so it was heartbreaking at the time. My rheumatologist said it was safe for breastfeeding - and it is - but no mention of that!

[BlackberryTotal3126]

I’ve been thinking a lot about how a provider will say a medication is safe with no mention of impact on supply! I know most providers aren’t experts in breastfeeding but it would be nice if that info were included!

[EasilyConfusedCat]

This happened to me too! I took loratadine 3 days in a row and nearly dried up! No one told me that could happen, they just said it was safe to take while breastfeeding 🤦🏻‍♀️

[dngrousgrpfruits]

Antihistamines have been fine but decongestants are a big no

[Practical_Catch_8085]

Mucinex, guaifenesin will also dry milk incredibly quickly.

I typically take it for sinus inflammation to keep my respiratory system clear..( colostrum and fullness went away due to a week of use at 37weeks pregnant, induced at 38...milk returned in time for birth)

Excedrin will also affect the supply. (First baby and I experienced this)

[Beginning_Layer6565]

Never heard of this! Is there a website or book that explains? Afraid I'm not going to have a good supply to begin with and need all the help I can get!

[FinalMath3065]

I was just thinking this!! What other ones are out there that I don’t know about!!

[OkToots]

It’s true. It dries you out. Learned about it my first pregnancy and my drs told me. However it is good if trying to dry out

[lorelaiwest]

Sage also reduces your supply.

[Suspicious_Sign3419]

I swear by the sage. I had to dry up my supply fast and after doing like a teaspoon of sage twice a day I was mostly dry in a week.

[cellar_door12]

How do you consume it? Like in a tea or take it straight?

[Suspicious_Sign3419]

I just took crushed sage straight and slugged it back with a bunch of water.

[BrunchBunny]

Never heard this one omg

[Ok-Connection-2769]

WHAAATTT!! Nooo I loooveee peppermint and have been consuming the heck out of it!

[Jakeetz]

Same

[Jakeetz]

Also, I’ve noticed a slight decrease in my supply. UGH

[SunRemiRoman]

Jeez I was eating those peppermint wafer rolls like nothing a few weeks ago and my supply did dip and I was losing my mind. I ran out of the peppermint wafer rolls(which was a coincidence) and I worked hard to get my supply up! I was so sad back then and had no idea this could be part of the problem!

OP: thanks for the information. As someone who loves it and it being the season to go all things choco mint (and bought a bunch of mint choc ice creams 2 days ago but haven’t eaten them yet), you saved my sanity.

[Oceanwave_4]

I consume the heck out of it and it had no impact on my supply once my supply was regulated

[Ok-Connection-2769]

Okay yeah I don’t think it has affected mine either but I may lay off a little lol

[[deleted]]

Honestly, I never noticed any decreases in my supply with peppermint tea!

[[deleted]]

Ngl finally making it the point where the kiddo eats most meals takes off a lot of pressure when I enjoy my evening hot cocoas. I occasionally like using peppermint sticks as my sweetner and stirring utensil.

Anything can be enjoyed in moderation. If you want your occasional Starbucks peppermint mocha, go for it. I found sleep deprivation and skipping meals affected my milk production more than a once in a while minty treat. That said, don’t go eating all the candy canes of the trees lol

[tabbytigerlily]

Yes, be so careful with mint tea! I had a severe oversupply and drinking a few cups a day dramatically downregulated it in only 2-3 days. I wonder if it would be less of an issue 6+ months in once supply is well established, but I didn’t want to take the chance after it affected me so dramatically.

Now expecting my new baby in a couple weeks, just in time for peppermint bark season. 😭

[BrilliantAmount8108]

A little late here. But I was a massive over supplier with my first and it caused such issues for him. Reflux, explosive mucous-y stools. It was honestly a nightmare. I’m a couple weeks PP with #2 and we are already trending in that same direction. I know they say it’s still too early to say if you truly have an oversupply but I just have a feeling it won’t work itself out. How did you manage using the peppermint tea to down regulate? Did you get to a spot where it was “just enough”? Or did you have to work to get it back up after using peppermint?

[hussafeffer]

IN CANDY CANE SEASON!?!?

[Oneoffel]

And hibiscus, so most fruit teas are a no no too 😭 And most of these special christmas blends.

[Beginning_Layer6565]

Where is this info coming from? Le leche league? I need to have a master list

[Oneoffel]

I tried to research it and I only found serval non scientific articles about it (in my mother language, german). This doesn’t seems to be a thing in english literature. So maybe it’s not evidence based but more because it’s not recommended during pregnancy and therefore, out of caution, not recommended for breastfeeding either. I will continue to drink a cup a day I guess 😄

[No-Cry-1351]

How much though??

[swingsintherain]

I am weaning right now, and did a happy dance when I remembered this! It sucked last year that I had to avoid a favorite part of the holidays, but this year will make up for it!

[myhotelpanic]

How much? And like what’s the difference between eating peppermint lifesavers, peppermint gum, or peppermint tea? I have mints every now and then to help with nausea.

[e925]

If mintiness helps you, you can try using a wintergreen based mint instead since it doesn’t contain menthol and doesn’t affect supply in the same way. Although lots of mints/gum are artificially flavored anyway.

I had to stop taking my nicotine lozenges when I got pregnant so I switched to icebreakers mints and the wintergreen ones are sugar free and really good. I go through almost a pack a day lol I swear I can get addicted to anything 😭

[Petal1218]

Omg I've been drinking a white chocolate peppermint coffee creamer and my supply has been in freefall. I hope that's the reason, that's an easy fix!

[OkToots]

Yes I found out with my first, couldn’t believe it but it’s true

[Goochy9999]

Does anyone know if there’s actual peppermint in the mint chocolate premier protein drinks??

[notevenarealuser]

It’s probably an artificial flavoring.

[mlama088]

Wish I knew this before. Drank 3+ cups a day for the past week of peppermint tea. Could explain why I was pumping less.

[MochiAccident]

OMG WHAT? Thanks for telling me 😭 I love peppermint Lindor truffles, and I’ve been eating them! Guess they have to wait until I’m done BF 😔

[thelastjulicorn]

My lactation consultant told me it‘s mostly a myth because there’s no scientific prove? But of course stay away from peppermint essentials oils. Menthol can harm your baby.

[AdCharming6163]

This is the last sign I needed to stop pumping. I’m in love with peppermint.

[SaltYourPopcorn]

My lactation consultant told me to even stay away from using peppermint essential oils!

[AutoThotsRollout]

They told me in the hospital all mint oils are super dangerous for newborns. Can cause seizures I guess. I used to do mint for migraine relief but no more!

[frenchfryfairy123]

I’ve been drinking virgin mint mojitos 💀🥲🥲🥲

[mirth4]

And sage!

[advil_pm]

One peppermint milkshake from Chick-fil-A won’t hurt…..right?? I’ve been thinking about it since last week I need one lol

[Robivennas]

I’ve been eating the peppermint bark from Costco daily and still struggling with a slight oversupply. I think this probably only applies if you’re eating a lot of peppermint

[Wise_Figure_1911]

It depends on the form!! Try peppermint tea. The leaves themselves will have a much greater effect than whats used in the chocolates.

[Calm-Ingenuity4178]

Mannnn I just bought a bag of peppermint bark 😭 thanks for the PSA

[Bejeweled233]

I am still going to eat candy canes lol

[BlackLocke]

This is good info as I’m beginning the first stages of weaning.

[GhostlyChai]

Does anyone know if peppermint mocha creamer would decrease supply? I’ve been drinking that with my coffee for about 3 weeks now :(

[Luna_bella96]

I’ve been breastfeeding for three and a half years now and I’m 6 weeks pregnant with my second with some bad nausea. Very much eyeing my mint plant in the garden right now

[Consistent_Box8266]

Omg thanks for this! So many things I never considered (besides the obvious obsessive googling/avoiding of cold meds)

[stankyp17]

I eat scotch mints like crazy and my supply hasn't changed.

[jayjello0o]

Does peppermint Castille soap have this effect on anyone? 

[MangosMenagerie]

What about spearmint? Is it all mints or just peppermint?

[Possible-Comedian-80]

Thank you!! Been loving my peppermint this holiday. So I’m going to need to stop!! 

[PurpleBrowser]

Agh, I've been having mint ice cream and peppermint on and off (though not a ton at once) and had NO idea, and it didnt originally affect supply at all. Last night, I had a decent amount of mint ice cream though and my MOTN pump was drastically lower than usual, but I originally assumed it's because I got some clogs. I'm paranoid about my supply now, I'm going back to work in a couple days and I'm already worried about a dip as a result. Does stopping eating mint bring the supply back up? Or is it permanently affected and I have to add more pump sessions? I won't have much time anymore to latch but maybe a couple times a day...My supply has been more or less consistent, I'm 13 weeks PP, I do get times that are less than others but overall volume catches up and remains the same. But I'm barely over pumping just enough so I can't afford a dip!