Is there a supplement you can take that helps increase milk production?

Question

My baby is a bit over three months old and I don't feel like I'm making enough milk. It's a combination of my schedule, I work 3 graveyard shifts a week and his need to eat so much. He's a puker as I so fondly call him, so sometimes the milk he gets down a lot of times comes back up. I give him formula to supplement which is probably not helping the milk production much either. I know to drink plenty of water and feed him often. Any other suggestions would be appriciated.

He's gaining just fine, he's a big baby, it's just emotionally draining to feel like I can't satisfy him.

Answer 1

I glanced down the responses and I didnt see it but this is suppose to be the miracle for nursing mothers wanting to increase supply - Fenugreek. You'll find it in health food stores, in easy to swallow capsules. You can also use it to make teas but apparently it doesnt taste very good. I'ev heard a beer helps as well.
Too early to start solids, please dont take that advice! And of course, nursing more often is the BEST way to increase supply but you already know that! Umm, does he throw up because he has a problem with the milk or is he eating too much? My girl would usually throw up when I gave the occasionally bottle as it was hard on her tummy and she would gobble the thing down too fast.
See the links below for info on fenugreek.
Good luck.

Answer 2

If you're having trouble pumping enough you can try Fennel. It doesn't actually increase your milk, but it helps you let down easier so you get more when you pump. You could try a combination of Fennel and Fenugreek to both increase the amount of milk you have and how much of it you can pump. Fenugreek is in the same family as peanuts so if you or someone in your family have peanut allergies you might want to skip that.

Oatmeal helps some women make more milk. The kind you cook yourself on the stove seems to help the most women but some women get a boost from the instant kind or even from oatmeal cookies!

On the puking, have you tried eliminating milk/dairy from your diet. That tends to help a lot of babies with spit up or reflux problems.

There are some links in the sources. They're great pages that will give you TONS of info on these subjects.

Good luck. I understand the emotionally draining thing. I had problems with my milk supply with my first son and I know that it's really tough.

Answer 3

You can buy herbs from the heatlh food store, FENUGREEK and BLESSED THISTLE, take together as directed on the bottle, you might stink for a couple days, but it works. And don't worry about not having enough milk, when you are nursing him, if he's satisfied after a feed, he will be full. He might need to nurse more often because of a fast metabolism, and big appetite. Be sure to eat well yourself, even when you're on your graveyard shift. The better you eat, the richer your milk will be. I had a pull chart that was according to the Canadian Food guide, to help me keep track of what I ate, and what I still needed to eat that day. Good Luck.

Answer 4

The number one way to boost supply is to nurse more often. It's all about supply and demand.

Check the links below.....you may not really have a supply problem. Many moms have something different going on and interpret it as a supply problem.

Fenugreek is a common supplement used for increasing supply. Again, if you aren't nursing frequently enough, it won't make much difference. And don't try to judge supply based on how much you can pump. A pump is not as good at getting the milk out as your baby is. Be sure to read about fenugreek at the link below before taking it, as it is a BAD idea for some mothers.

Answer 5

Try to keep from supplimenting w/formula. Pumping your milk out to use while you're at work will help increase the supply. Natural tea, and lots of water (1qt. per 100# a day). It sounds like he needs a little rice cereal added to the supplement bottle. You can make "brown" rice, put in blender and add to bottle. For the puking, slow down the feeding. Nurse for a few minutes, try a ounce of water, nurse for a few more minutes..etc. He's drinking too fast and it's going to come right back up. Babies need water too.

Answer 6

I've almost lost my milk completely too,because i had a lot of fever,after the birth.but i used a very nice tea from homeopathy that helped a lot.ask for a specific tea for that,it's safe for the baby(buy ONLY in certified houses of natural products)i was always reluctant in trying these things but it worked for me.you also have to eat very well(vegetables,etc)and try cod fish too,a nurse told me that because omega 3 in that fish creates a natural increase on your hormone level.my baby is now almost 6 months old,he's only being breastfed,and has the development of a 9 month(doctor said).good luck,that's the best food for him until he's teeth : ) ps-vitamins also help(ask your doctor)best luck.

Answer 7

There is medication that will increase milk production (sorry for the life of me I cannot remember what it was called) but my lactation consultant from the hospital got me a prescription for it and it helped. You should go and see your local doctor and ask if it may be appropriate for you to try it. Good Luck

Answer 8

try having a beer, this is supposed to help with milk production, another thing is to go to the Dr and tell him the problem, and ask for some Maxalon, this is an instant fix, only take one tab as it will fill u up straight away (JUST ABOUT) I had the maxalon, and it did the trick, Good Luck

Answer 9

i'm afraid to say its really nursing him more will increase milk production or u could pump during work to get it going...
my bb pukes alot too, doc says its reflux, is he gaining weight well?

Answer 10

It is weird I wanted to answer your question.
If you are not allergic to nuts, you will be amazed with the results: Eat dried almonds up to 100 grs/ day and more if you can, and up to 100 grs of walnuts every other day.