A Hidden Ally for New Mothers: An Acupoint for Lactation and More

The cost of baby formula can be a deterrent from breastfeeding. However, help for the abundant flow of breast milk is on the way with the Tian Xi is on the way.

SP18 Celestial Stream Tian Xi

Welcoming a newborn is joyful, but the costs can add up fast. While you can thrift the crib and pass down baby clothes, nutrition is non-negotiable. While breastfeeding is proven to strengthen babies’ immune systems and protect mothers from ovarian and breast cancers, only 13 percent of babies in the United States are exclusively breastfed.

For many, the choice not to breastfeed is due to a lack of milk supply, leading to a costly formula bill of up to $2,000 per year. If you’re a breastfeeding mother or supporting one, an acupoint may help: Celestial Stream (Tian Xi, SP18), located right on the side of the chest. It can also help those with chest tension.

Why Tian Xi Stands Out in TCM

First documented in the “Ling Shu” (“Spiritual Pivot”), a foundational text in Chinese medicine, Tian Xi belongs to the Spleen meridian (energy pathway). You might associate the spleen with digestion, and you'd be right—but in TCM, the spleen’s job of nutrient transformation and transportation extends its influence far beyond the gut.