By Anna Cave-Bigley
There was a moment, a few months into breastfeeding, when I caught my reflection in the mirror and barely recognised myself.
It wasn’t just the sleepless nights or the changes in my body. It was something deeper—a sense of being slightly out of sync with myself, of feeling like my emotions weren’t entirely mine, like I was living in a body that I hadn’t fully returned to yet.
For so many women, this is the unseen side of breastfeeding. We prepare for sleepless nights, cracked skin, and cluster feeds—but no one warns us about the way our hormones shift, the way they affect our mood, our energy, our sense of self.
We’re told it’s just part of the postpartum journey. That we’ll feel like ourselves again soon. But when weeks stretch into months, and we’re still feeling off-balance—still experiencing low moods, fatigue, anxiety, hair loss, or hormonal acne—it’s not just something to “wait out.”
It’s a sign that our bodies need more support.
And that’s where the right nourishment, the right rituals, and the right tools can make all the difference.
Why Do Hormones Feel So Out of Balance Postpartum?
Breastfeeding is beautifully complex, but it also places a huge hormonal demand on the body.
💡 Oestrogen and progesterone plummet immediately after birth, which can lead to mood swings, night sweats, and heightened anxiety in the early months.
💡 Prolactin (the hormone responsible for milk production) stays elevated, but this can also suppress estrogen—leading to dry skin, low libido, and a feeling of being “flat” emotionally.
💡 Cortisol levels remain high due to sleep deprivation and the constant “on” state of motherhood, which can cause burnout, sugar cravings, and increased stress sensitivity.
💡 Nutrient depletion plays a huge role, as breastfeeding pulls calcium, magnesium, and essential fatty acids from the mother to nourish the baby—often leaving her feeling depleted, exhausted, and emotionally fragile.
All of this means that postpartum is not just about sleep recovery—it’s about hormonal recalibration.
And supporting that balance? Starts with what we put into our bodies.
Replenishing the Body with Adaptogenic & Hormone-Supportive Infusions
One of the simplest and most powerful ways to support hormonal balance while breastfeeding is through daily herbal infusions that naturally regulate stress, replenish minerals, and stabilise energy levels.
This is why I created The SABI Breastfeeding Herbata—because hormonal balance isn’t just about regulating cycles, it’s about supporting the body’s ability to recover and restore itself.
This blend contains:
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Holy basil, a powerful adaptogen that lowers cortisol, reduces stress sensitivity, and stabilises mood.
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Moringa, rich in iron, calcium, and essential amino acids, which helps counteract the nutrient depletion that affects postpartum energy and hormone regulation.
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Fennel and cinnamon, which support blood sugar balance, helping to prevent the hormonal crashes that cause irritability and exhaustion.
Alongside this, I always recommend The SABI Mama Infusions Set—a collection of herbal blends designed to support postpartum recovery, milk supply, and emotional balance.
These aren’t just teas—they’re tools for restoring hormonal stability, sip by sip.
Stabilising Energy & Mood Through Blood Sugar Balance
So many breastfeeding mums feel the highs and lows of blood sugar swings without realising it’s directly affecting their mood.
One moment, you’re fine. The next, you’re shaky, irritable, or completely overwhelmed.
This happens because lactation pulls glucose into milk production, and without stable meals, the body struggles to keep energy and mood steady.
Some of the best ways to stabilise blood sugar naturally?
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Adding protein & healthy fats to every meal to prevent sudden spikes and crashes.
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Drinking cinnamon-infused teas (like Breastfeeding Herbata) to naturally support insulin sensitivity and energy regulation.
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Incorporating collagen & adaptogens, which help regulate postpartum inflammation and hormonal fluctuations.
One of my favourite ways to support postpartum blood sugar is by adding Ancient + Brave True Collagen into warm drinks—it helps support skin, gut health, and hormonal stability in one go.
For daily hormone support, I also love Wild Nutrition’s Food-Grown Balancing Complex—a UK-based supplement designed to help stabilise estrogen and energy levels postpartum.
Supporting the Nervous System for True Hormonal Recovery
What many people don’t realise is that hormonal balance starts with the nervous system.
If the body is constantly in a stressed, high-alert state, it will prioritise survival over hormone production—meaning progesterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones take a hit.
One of the best ways to regulate stress hormones naturally is through weighted warmth, magnesium replenishment, and aromatherapy—all of which help signal to the body that it’s safe to slow down.
Some things that made a huge difference in my own postpartum recovery:
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A heated wheat bag placed over my shoulders or womb to help relieve tension and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
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Magnesium lotion before bed, to help my muscles fully relax and prevent the restlessness that made sleep feel impossible.
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A grounding essential oil blend, to help shift my mind out of stress mode and back into balance.
Some of my go-to hormone-supporting relaxation tools:
✔ Blästa Henriët Wheat Bag – A natural, weighted heat pack that helps ease stress and support deep relaxation.
✔ Nourish London Magnesium Body Butter – A fast-absorbing magnesium lotion that promotes relaxation, eases muscle tension, and supports deeper sleep.
✔ Bamford B Silent Night-Time Pillow Mist – A soothing aromatherapy blend with lavender and chamomile to help reset the nervous system before sleep.
Because Feeling Like Yourself Again Shouldn’t Have to Wait
For too long, postpartum recovery has been seen as something mums just have to get through—as if losing yourself for months or years is just part of the process.
But feeling balanced, strong, and like yourself again isn’t a luxury. It’s essential.
And the good news? The right support—the right nourishment, hydration, and rituals—can help a mother not just recover, but truly return to herself.
So if you know a breastfeeding mum who’s still waiting to feel like herself again, ask her what she needs. And if she doesn’t know?
Bring her the things that will help. A cup of tea that replenishes. A supplement that restores. A ritual that makes her feel held.
Because when a mother feels whole again, she isn’t just surviving—she’s thriving.
