What is the Deal with the Blue Gatorade?
When I was nursing my first son, Blue Gatorade was touted as the magic fix for low milk supply. Not red, not pink, not orange, not white……blue! No one ever stated why, but the why was not nearly as important as the string of moms who told the struggling mama that it had worked for them. Every mothering forum I saw said the same thing. When I had my second son, Blue Gatorade was still around with the same string of moms singing the praises of the Blue Gatorade. Now with my third son, Blue Gatorade has some new friends - the Starbucks pink drink, BodyArmour drinks with coconut water, and anything with added electrolytes. The drink of choice may have changed over time, but there is still an ever present string of moms singing the collective praises of these magic drinks.
So what is the deal with recommending these drinks? Do they really increase milk supply? Do you need them to successfully breastfeed? What is in these drinks that could increase milk supply?
The Answer: It’s Complicated.
The reason mothers perceive these drinks to work is that they can help address one reason behind a decreased milk supply - if that reason is dehydration. Anyone who has ever cared for a young child knows that some days it is easy to forget that you need to eat and drink yourself. Add in the extra demands for increased calories and hydration that breastfeeding demands, and it can be extremely easy for a mom to get dehydrated. Lactation is typically successful, with most moms having an adequate milk supply, but almost every mom I have met that doesn’t have an abundant oversupply questions their supply at some point. So in this instance, you start to panic, remember someone said these drinks could help, so you grab one and start praying that the milk fairy returns. If you were dehydrated, your body recovers and your supply comes back. The electrolytes in these drinks help faster than plain water would have, and the sugar in these drinks provides a nice dopamine release which helps calm you down, which also encourages increased milk flow.
Making More Milk describes a milk supply equation that shows how truly complicated it can be to assure a good milk supply. Multiple components have to come together simultaneously to produce an adequate milk supply, and a deficit in any one of these components can reduce milk production. Here is a visual of how these components are individually and collectively responsible for producing an adequate milk supply. In the case of assessing if these drinks are responsible for increasing milk supply with this understanding in mind, the answer is yes and no. If the reason for the reduced milk supply was related to inadequate hydration and nutrition (light blue component on the info-graphic) then consuming one of these drinks would help restore the functioning of that component in the milk making process and result in an increased milk supply. If this is the only issue effecting the milk supply, a mother would likely see a dramatic response. If this issue is only one of several issues, there might be an increase, but perhaps not the full response desired. It is always a good idea if you are struggling with your milk supply to reach out to a lactation consultant. There are interventions and treatments to help combat low milk supply, and teasing out which component of the milk production equation is the issue requires someone with the right education and training. No amount of any beverage is going to compensate for issues with insufficient glandular tissue, poor milk removal, or hormonally driven supply issues. Quality lactation care will help you though.
It is important to understand that it is not these particular drinks that are creating the increased supply, it is the effect on nutrition and hydration which can be obtained through other foods and beverages as well. The biggest effect of these drinks is their ability to combat the tendency of mothers to neglect our own basic needs. So if you are experiencing less milk production, and these type of beverages help you, please assess if you are eating and drinking enough to begin with. You don’t need these drinks, they are not a magic fix. That said, if you like these drinks, and they aren’t blowing your budget, you can feel good about indulging a bit. Sometimes a mama just needs a tasty drink.
I still have yet to come across any type of explanation for why Blue Gatorade got the reputation as better than any other color or flavor.....if anyone knows the origin of this I would love to hear it!
If you are struggling with milk supply and want help, the best choice is to reach out for an individual consultation. Genuine Lactation provides judgment-free, affordable, virtual breastfeeding support services from the comfort of your home.
