Breastfeeding or know someone who is? Then read on!
Firstly, calm down, calm down, mommies…No, this is not a hot new cocktail to sip beside the pool. Well, you could, but its not of the same kinda fun variety that you may be thinking about. It’s a lovely (virgin) concoction consumed by breastfeeding moms. Or in my case, “glugged down”. Copiously, especially with our first baba.
“What is that?!” and “And does it work?“. These are the two main questions I used to hear ALOT, whenever breastfeeding and milk supply came up in conversation.(Because when you’re a mom, its a topic as common as the weather!) So, based on my personal experiences, I’d like to share my opinion with you all here today.
First, the “what is it“: Its a tasty concoction, that has been touted as a galactogogue. (Whats a galactogogue? Read here.) As in, its suppose to help increase your milk supply. What was very suprising to me during both my breastfeeding journeys with my girls, was that alot of women said they suffered milk supply issues, and those who didnt have lactation specialists at hand, only doctors, were always given medication as the first option – and they never heard of Jungle Juice.
Well does it work? Well, it depends on: work for what, and who’s answering.
Some (mothers, lactation specialist as well as the odd other medical professional included) believe it is a bonafide galactogogue, that does wonders for a mother’s milk supply. As in it has an actual biological action within the breasts that promote milk production.
Whilst others believe it is actually just good for the mother, in that it nourishes mom and makes her feel good, and if mom feels good, her body would be in a good position to make milk. As in it doesnt have a direct effect, but rather a knock on effect.
Both theories have warrant, and either way paints Jungle Juice in great light for milk production.
My two cents? Well, if I compare my two girls: my same two breasts, but two very different experiences with each of them.
With our first baba, where hubby was free to feed me and help me all the time, I had Jungle Juice on tap. Drank it for maybe three months straight. Every day. Every. Single. Day. And I had serious amounts of milk. In fact, I filled up the freezer in less than a week with all the stored expressed milk.
Me chugging a shakerful of Jungle Juice, with a 5 day old Morgan-Lee drunk on boob in my arms.
With baba number two, hubby now had his hands full with our first baba, and thus not really able to be the glorified super waiter he was for me the first time round. So *gasp* I had to make it myself – when I had the chance, that is. And lets face it, when you have two kids, one of them being a newborn, there are quite a few imperative things in life that suddenly become enforced options only – shower, brush hair, get dressed, make a sandwich OR make your bed.(Pick one only!) So when you add things like “Mix up Jungle Juice”, you can understand how easily that would fall off the otherwise tightly squeezed to-do list. Meaning I hardly had Jungle Juice second time round. The result? I still had plenty of milk literally shooting and flowing out of me. But certainly far from as much as the first time.
I did have mastitus with baba number two though, which did some serious damage to my supply and put me through a hellish breastfeeding experience.So one could argue that the lack of Jungle Juice was not the reason behind my supply troubles with the second baba, but rather the effects of mastitus instead. Or one could debate that perhaps my supply would not have suffered so severly in the first place, regardless of mastitus, had I just taken the Jungle Juice as per recommendation.
And if I think about it, I was far more physically nifty and mentally calmer the first time round whilst gulping down shaker-fulls of Jungle Juice.
So I may not have a definitive medical answer for you, that I suspect you may have been looking for, but my opinion is one just can’t go wrong with Jungle Juice for your breastmilk supply. And more over,I’d put my money where my mouth is and say that the next time we have another baba, (God-willingly) Im definiely going to make Jungle Juice shake up sessions a must on my daily to-do list…regardless of whether I made it outta my PJ’s yet or not. 🙂
Aside from my humble endorsement of Jungle Juice, as well as that of plenty of other mothers out there,what’s more is that its pretty simple to make, with ingrediants that are rather easily available (at least here in South Africa).
This is the recipe I used:
-
Ingrediants:
-
-1 litre apple juice
-2 litre water
-60 ml Schlehen Blackthorn Berry Elixir
-1 sachet Rehidrat in blackcurrent (you can use any other flavour available, but taste-wise in this mix, that is the recommended flavour to use)
-10 dops Rescue Remedy
Method:
Have a container that can hold three litres of liquid and still have space to mix it up. Mix all ingrediants up – in no particular order- except for the Rescue Remedy, and store in the fridge. All 3 litres need to be consumed within a 24 hour period for it to be effective, and taken at regular intervals throughout the day.
For every glass you drink, add 10 drops of rescue remedy.
Bottoms up, ladies!
Just remember, its only going to be effective if you drink it as instructed, and regularly. Most moms report a difference within 24 hours, however, if it doesnt happen as quickly for you, give it a full week of proper use before you say its not working for you.
Also, it doesn’t taste like butt…Which is always a #win! I could drink right now ’cause I love the taste of it. (Im not a sweet-sweet tooth, so I prefer to water mine down.)
For more tips on how to increase your milk supply, be sure to read my post on lactation cookies here and the other post on galactogogues here.
You’re doing great momma! You can do it!x
#giveitonemoreday
when I breastfed Gabby my mom gave me seeds I had to boil in water and then drink the water afterwards cant remember what it was called but helped with increasing my breast milk
Gosh, Stephanie, I wish you could remember so that you could share with us all! If you ever do, please do come back to share it with us. X
Fennel, perhaps?
It’s fenugreek seeds or methi seeds
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Hi, don’t know if you are aware but jujuice is ‘jungle juice’ in a powder form, you can buy online or from selected stockists. It’s really delicious and contains less sugar, no preservatives or colourants. It also won 5 different awards at the baby expo’s and Indaba’s. For more info, or if you want to stock our product please contact us on () or visit our website. Happy breastfeeding! The jujuice team.
Hi, don’t know if you are aware but jujuice is ‘jungle juice’ in a powder form, you can buy online or from selected stockists. It’s really delicious and contains less sugar, no preservatives or colourants. It also won 5 different awards at the baby expo’s and Indaba’s. For more info, or if you want to stock our product please contact us on (011 026 6551) or visit our website http://www.jujuice.co.za Happy breastfeeding! The jujuice team.
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Do you think I can replace the apple juice with cold Rooibos tea?
Hey there Nadia – sounds interesting. I’m sure there’s no harm in experimenting. If it takes good let us know over here.
I know Apple juice is one of those high in sugars and easy to blend with other flavors. Often linked with sustained energy (even though I’m not a fan of sugar based sustinance), apple juice is part of the original “formula” for jungle juice.
But give room bosses a try and let us know about flavor and effect. Worth a shot!
Sorry, new phone – apologies about that keyboard gibberish up there. 🙂
Hi what is rescue remedy
HI there Shirley. Its a natural tincture of herbs and flowers that induce calm. Its safe for breastfeeding, and even with kids (read on label) You can normally find them easily in a drugstore here in South Africa (like Clicks, Dischem or any pharmarcy)
Is it a must that we add the rescue remedy?
It helps and works best, as it it helps it keep stress levels down. And the hormones that produce milk work best when your stress hormones are lower. But it’s not absolutely necessary. It just won’t be as effective
Hi
I would like to find out if I can start taking jungle juice while still pregnant, and how long before baby gets here please? Will this also help?
My first baby was born prem, and my milk was not efficient for her yet when she came.
Thank you
Cindy
Hi there Cindy. Well milk production is hormonally driven, especially the onset of milk production. With Prem babies, it not unusual for moms to often run into a delay in milk production due to the stress of both the early birth and the continued situation, as well as the fact that often Prem babies do not have the suckling ability and thus can’t be out to the breast right at birth – which is a massive trigger for hormones to get going with milk production.
Also if you had a c-section the drugs used on you (and thus in baby too) will effect your hormones too…as well as the possible stress and pain of the procedure all affect your hormones negatively.
So in my opinion, no jungle juice is not going to help your milk come in earlier – those early moments at birth are crucial. (Stress, drugs, and ability/lack of ability in Prem to be able to suckle alll has an effect on that)
So what you could do is, if baby does come early, to pump as soon as you can post birth, and get in contact with a professionl lactation specialist asap.
Once baby is here, then you can start your jungel juice – the rescue remedy in there (should you take the jungel juice as often as recommended – for every feeding/pumping which is about every 2hrs in the early days), it should help calm you which keep stress hormones down.
All the best dear! Keep us posted if you feel so inclined! Xxxx
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Can i use sparkling apple juice
I dont see why not! 🙂
Where would I be able to buy this. I live in Texas, USA. And have been trying to make this recipe but cannot find these ingredients.
HI there Gen
Im so sorry for only replying now – baby number four kicked my butt and time management big time! Im sorry, I am south african based, so I wouldnt be sure of it. If youre still needing me to help you out, let me know, as my sister lives in texas (and is in the medical field) and could possibly help you and me out here. XX
If you managed to find out the ingredients available in the US, please let me know. Thanks in advance!
Ten drops to rescue remedy:
Please assist, I have rescue tables, but I’m not sure how many I should take for ever glass of j-juice?
HI there, I dont use the tablets, but I would then say that you’d use a single dose for each serving of Jungle Juice. (as per the Rescue remedy tablet instructions)
Hi there.
I dont use the tablets, but I would assume then you’d use the amount as per instruction on the box for one dose.
One dose for each serving of Jungle juice.XX
Hi. Thank you for the recipe I am definitely going to give this a try. My daughter was born at 27 weeks and the stress of her being in NICU has definitely taken a toll on my milk supply. She was born naturally so no drugs have been in my system, Since labour. Thank you so much for your blog its incredibly interesting and helpful.
My apologies for only seeing your msg now. But I hope it was useful to you. And absolute pleasure !XXX
Do the water need to be boiled
No, it does not. 🙂
No, it does not. 🙂
Unless you live in an area where water needs to be boiled for hygiene and health safety. Then yes
Hi there, when you say rescue remedy, do you mean the rescue drops ? Im so confused ?
Absolutely, yes. It goes by many names through the years, so yes, Rescue Remedy comes in a dropper form, so yes, same thing 🙂
Hi there I am
Expecting in less than two weeks and got all ingredients except Berry hawthorn elixir . This doesn’t seem to be easy to find in Canada ! Anything that could be used that Is similar but easier to find ? Thanks !
Firstly, congrats on baby! How exciting! And apologies for late response. Lockdown with 4 kids and job means Im just the worst blogger right about now! :)) But sadly no, I dont know of any other replacements, as the content of the elixir is pretty specific. But I did notice you have the elixir listed on your(canadian) Amazon here: https://www.amazon.ca/Weleda-Blackthorn-Elixir-Health-Beauty/dp/B000ORWPWU
(it seems of out of stock at the moment though, sorry)
Hoping you have success in finding it soon! Enjoy that baba! X
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Hi there
Can I make the juice whilst still pregnant. I’m on my last 3 weeks and wondering if I can make the juice from now?
Lebo (from South Africa)
HI there Lebo. You wont need to make so early. You can make it once baby gets here. Drinking it before baby arrives doesnt necessarily make more milk. It does help hydrate you, to help your body produce milk ( and the milk producing hormones truly kick in once baby is born) and the rescue remedy helps you keep calm (a stressed body may struggle with production and let-down reflex could be delayed) Also, the mixture you make has to be consumed within 24 hours of making it.