Has anyone tried Fenugreek to increase milk supply?

Question

my baby is now 8 days old and my milk supply does not seem to be increasing very much, the local health nurse suggested I try Fenugreek in a tea formula. I am curious if anyone has had much success with this method and also if it is better in capsule or tea. Thank you

Answer 1

I just did (quick) research on the Net. Wikipedia mentions fenugreek used for milk production in nursing mothers. Wikipedia (and a few other sites) say nothing about dill & anise being used for milk production, however, this is what "the Herb Bible", by Earl Mindell, says: "For centuries, dill and anise have been used to promote milk production in nusing mothers. In fact, a recent study shows that just the smell of anise promotes milk production in cows! For best results, steep 2 teaspoons dill seed in a cup of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Take 1/2 cup 2 to 3 times a day. To use anise, mix 1 teaspoon in 1 cup warm water. Drink up to 3 times daily."


I take what I read with a grain of salt. Try them (any or all). The nice thing about these (natural herbs) is that they really can't hurt you, even if they don't work for the purpose you're taking them.

I prefer natural herbs to the capsuled stuff you get in pharmacies... Call some health food stores and try to find the dried herbs. (They are very inexpesive and usually sold "bulk".) You never really know what you're getting when you take the capsules... It is a shame some herb companies are not reputable.

Answer 2

Stay away from the tea. It is an uncontrolled dose, so you can't make sure you are getting enough.

If you need to increase your milk supply, take 1 fenugreek capsule 3 times a day for 3-4 days, then increase to 2 capsules 3 times a day for several more days. Keep increasing until you are taking a dose that is effective for *you*; you will recognize this when your sweat and urine have a maple syrup smell. Continue at that dosage for at least a week. Fenugreek is not recommended if you have asthma or diabetes.

But, more importantly, why do you think you don't have enough milk? Many women who think they don't have enough milk actually have *too much*. This is common if the baby isn't gaining fast enough.

If, in fact, you don't have enough milk, the best way to increase it is to nurse more often. The fenugreek won't even work if you don't nurse often (at least 10-12 times in 24 hours). So try that first.

Does your baby usually nurse on one breast or both at every feeding? In either case, try the opposite before thinking that there's "not enough".

The same is true if you are exclusively pumping, except even more so. If you are pumping fewer than 12 times a day, increase the number of pumpings. You may even need to pump more than this, as pumping is always less effective than nursing.

Do *not* force liquids. Drink to thirst. Drinking more than your body needs *can't* help, and one research study actually showed it caused a decrease in milk production.

You can take blessed thistle together with the fenugreek (same number of capsules at each dose), but it is not necessary. Do not use a blend like Mother's Milk Tea. It has the potential for more allergies (since it has more ingredients), and it also contains fennel. Fennel does increase the milk supply for some women, but it *dries up* milk supply for others. Too much of a crap shoot!!

Stay away from other herbs. Fenugreek is the *only* herb I know of with scientific backing that it works. It is used more often, and its side effects are also better known. Others could be risky.

For more specific help, please contact a La Leche League Leader (see sources section below). They can help you one-on-one with precisely your situation, as opposed to vague answers here. If you ask a helpform question, please keep in mind that it may take 2 weeks to get an answer (not the 1 week the Web site states...).

Good luck!!

Answer 3

Well....before you start Fenugreek... DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS! Your baby is only 8 days old. Your milk didn't even START producing until your baby was 2-4 days old!!!
You ONLY make what your BABY DRINKS! Here is how it works....SUPPLY = DEMAND! So your baby nurses every 3-4 hours and takes in oh, 2-3 oz, your body will reproduce that 2-3 oz... In a week your baby nurses every 3-4 hours BUT takes in 4-5 oz, your body reproduces 4-5 oz!!!

Fenugreek is good, yes BUT there are downfalls to it as well. First it's expensive! Take it from me, I was on it from the time my son was 8 months until he was 17 months...8 capsules 4x a day...36 a day at $21.99 for 100 ....do the math!!! VERY expensive!!!
Second, once you start you can't just stop. You actually have to wean yourself off of it slowly or else you compromise your supply again.

SO I personally would try EVERYTHING in my powers to stay away from it....and when all else fails, try fenugreek....

Lots of fluid, lots of protein (chicken is a good one) NURSE NURSE NURSE .....and remember your baby is only 8 days old and isn't drinking all that much at this point, your body will keep up with his/her needs!!!!

Nurse until one breast is fully emptied before switching sides. Use breast compression, if necessary, while baby is nursing or during pumping to help fully empty the breast. This will help breast to futher empty and will ensure that baby will get as much hindmilk as possible.

First and foremost, don't assume that your supply is low just because someone told you it must be or because you are pumping and not getting a lot of milk to come. The mind has a lot to do with how your body will respond, so you must believe that you are capable of making plenty of milk for your baby. Babies should gain about 4-8 ounces in a 7 day stretch. If your baby is in this range and you see that they are growing into and eventually outgrowing clothing, then they are getting enough.

Answer 4

I believe Fenugreek needs to be combined with blessed thistle to be effective. They are usually taken together.

Being that your baby is only 8 days old, don't be alarmed if it feels like baby is literally nursing all the time. It takes a couple of weeks to build up enough to get a break every now and then. And this is very normal.

If you click on my name, I posted a very long reply to someone about breastfeeding only one or two posts ago this could help.

Dr Jack Newman's site is the best thing I can suggest, though. He has hundreds of articles on his site that cover any and every breastfeeding question you can think of. He is a pediatrician that specializes in breastfeeding and trains lactation consultants - he is truly amazing and will have tons of suggestions on how to help with milk supply issues.

Answer 5

I also had the same problem with my last child. I did try Fenugreek in the capsule form and it seemed to help a lot with increasing my milk production. The herbal store also offers something called mother's milk which you might check into.

Answer 6

Fenugreek helped a bit but the real difference made an herbal tea called Healthy nursing tea.

Answer 7

I'm 39 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby and I hope I don't have a problem with milk supply like I did the first time. This can be challenging and frustrating, I know, especially during a growth spurt. All I know is plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible. I'm watching this question for more answers unfortunately, I don't have any more.
Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 8

I tried it, in capsule form, after I had my twins. I am not sure how well it really worked. Increase your liquid intake a lot. Not pop, but water. That helps a lot. Also keep your baby at breast more often, and for a little longer. That helps increase milk production the best.

Answer 9

I have heard of it ..Fenugreek ....but it is worth a try because a local nurse advised you >>>GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

Gosh, Why do I need that as I am a male.