how much alfalfa should you take to increase your milk production while breastfeeding?

Question

it is in pill form, so i am trying to find out about how many milligrams I need.

Answer 1

You shouldn't. The *only* herbal supplement with any scientific evidence of effectiveness is fenugreek. If you want to take something, take fenugreek only.

And one more caveat. Any galactagogue (substance that increaes milk production) will only help if you are also nursing enough. Most women need to nurse at least 10-12 times a day to increase milk production. And frequent nursing all by itself will usually be all that you need if you *do* have a supply problem. Frequent nursing also has no side effects (it will help, for instance, even if you are producing *too much* milk), and you can't be allergic to it.

Answer 2

Alfalfa And Breastfeeding

Answer 3

Start by reading this -
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#supply
to determine if your supply may really be low.
Breastfeeding management should always be the first thing you look at when trying to fix a supply problem. How often does baby nurse? How long? Is baby latched on properly?

Then take a look at this -
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html
to learn more about galactagogues. Fenugreek is the herb used the most to increase supply. There are some people who should NOT use fenugreek. (Diabetics, people with peanut allergies, people with asthma, people with hypoglycemia, blood pressure problems or heart problems.)

For alfalfa -
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal-rem_a.html#alfalfa
Up to 4 capsules 3x per day is the recommended dosage. Some mothers find it works best when taken in combination with blessed thistle, marshmallow, and/or fenugreek. Note that alfalfa is NOT recommended for use by persons taking blood thinning agents.

Answer 4

I don't know about alfalfa but you could try Fenugreek. Take 5 610mg pills a day. Good luck!

Answer 5

I have never even heard of this before. I have however heard of blessed thistle to increase milk production. I used to take that when I needed to pump when I had to get an extra feeding for a babysitter or something like that.

Answer 6

Well if you're a cow, about a half bale a day.
If your human you shouldn't be eating alfalfa.

Answer 7

For me, alfalfa would give my baby colic.