When I was a new mom, I was desperate to make breastfeeding work.
I rented a hospital-grade breast pump, I tried “power pumping,” I saw several lactation consultants, I brought my baby to craniosacral therapy to improve her latch. But after almost every nursing session, my baby was still hungry. Or colicky. Or both.
So when a stranger on the internet told me that drinking blue Gatorade would magically increase my milk supply, I sent my husband to the corner store to buy a case. STAT.
Other than giving me a temporary blue tint around my lips, did Gatorade change my breastfeeding journey in any sort of meaningful way? I can't say that it did. But even though my kids are now bordering on tweendom, I never forgot that piece of oddly specific advice.
Let's take an evidence-based look at whether blue Gatorade (or any color Gatorade for that matter), can affect the volume of breast milk for nursing moms.
More info on breastfeeding:
- Breastfeeding diet: What to eat and drink while breastfeeding
- 10 breastfeeding questions answered by a lactation expert
- 5 breastfeeding positions for moms to try
Does blue Gatorade (or Gatorade of any color) boost milk supply?
Both experts who spoke to TODAY.com answered this question with a rapid and definitive answer: NO.
“There is no research to show that Gatorade of any color plays a role in milk supply,” says registered dietitian and TODAY nutrition editor Natalie Rizzo.
“That said, staying adequately hydrated can contribute to overall milk supply,” she continued. “So if a mom is dehydrated and drinks Gatorade for hydration, she may see an increase in overall supply. But this is purely anecdotal.”
Emily Silver, a family nurse practitioner, certified lactation consultant and cofounder of Boston NAPS, agrees.
“There isno scientific evidencethat blue Gatorade — or any Gatorade — boosts milk supply,” Silver says.
“Yes, staying hydrated is important while breastfeeding, as many women notice a dip in their supply when they’re dehydrated. But attributing increased milk production specifically to Gatorade, especially the blue kind, is a stretch,” she continues. “If it were that easy, we’d be prescribing Glacier Freeze in the postpartum unit!”
Where did this Gatorade/breast milk theory come from?
Rizzo shares that she had low milk supply with both of her young children and had to end up supplementing with formula. In her personal research at the time, she saw “many theories on different things that boost milk supply, including Gatorade.”
Silver says that when she asked her moms/clients if they had heard of the Gatorade/breast milk connection, they noted that it was a viral “mom hack” they had seen floating around online, just like I had.
“And hey, if sipping a blue drink makes a new mom feel like she’s doing something proactive for her supply, there’s no harm,” Silver says. “But we always like to come back to the facts — and unfortunately, there just isn’t research to support it.”
What drink or supplement will increase breast milk supply?
Rizzo says, “The research on galactagogues (foods or supplements that are thought to increase milk supply) is mostly inconclusive.”
But Rizzo notes points to some research that fenugreek, milk thistle, oats and brewer’s yeast may work to increase milk supply. Companies sell these items in pill form, or use them in recipes for “lactation cookies.”
“The most reliable ‘milk boosters’ are actually related to breastfeeding behavior: frequent nursing or pumping, good latch, emptying the breasts regularly and skin-to-skin contact,” says Silver.
“There’s no magic food or drink that works for everyone.”
TODAY.com reached out to Gatorade for comment but did not hear back at the time of publication.
Rosie Colosi
Rosie Colosi lives in New Jersey and is a reporter for TODAY Parents. She has bylines in The Atlantic, The Week, MSNBC, and PureWow, and she has written 33 nonfiction children's books for Scholastic, Klutz, and Nat Geo Kids. Once upon a time, she played Mrs. Claus in "The Rockettes' Radio City Christmas Spectacular," but now she mostly sings songs from "Annie" to her two daughters … while they beg her to play Kidz Bop.
