Increasing Milk Supply Herbs

I used Fenugreek and Mother's Milk tea... they were amazing!

Also try Lactation Blend by Vitanica... It was the BEST. It has a blend of including fennel, nettle, blessed thistle, vervain, hops, goat's rue, oat straw, raspberry leaf, chasteberry, fenugreek and milk thistle. It's amazing for health of you and the baby

Hi A.,
I used fenugreek, and it seemed to help as long as I kept taking it. My prediatrician suggested to take it twice a day. I also pumped after each feeding to increase supply. Good luck!

There is a web site that gives you foods that you can eat that help increase your milk supply. I know that oatmeal was one and also if you are comfortable with it drinking a beer a day also greatly increases your supply, I would have one after my daughter went to bed so that it was going to be a little while before she needed to nurse.

Hello A.,

I would be cautious with using herbs while you are breastfeeding. There are no clinical studies to say herbs are safe while breastfeeding.

I would suggest adding a high quality protein supplement, along with a complete B-Complex. I know because of clinical research and third party testing that Shaklee has both of these products that I have had great success with many breast feeding moms. Feel free to visit www.shaklee.net/avwellness.

Thanks,
A.

Eat lots of oatmeal! Also, the More Milk Plus by Motherlove works for some. It's available in tincture and pill form. But really be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest. It will increase with time. Nurse often and don't use a pacifier. Talk to a Lactation Consultant or your local La Leche League, they can offer some advice on making sure you are making enough milk as well. Good luck to you!

I had such a hard time too... Make sure you drink LOTS of water. Eat oatmeal for breakfast and have 1 beer at night. The herb mix that I found to work the best is Mother Love More Milk. www.motherlove.com It tastes nasty but it is worth it! Good luck and hang in there! You are doing the right thing by trying everything you can to make it work. :)

Hi A.
I liked the mothers milk tea too. I tried to nurse a few more times in the day. Offer before they get hungry, mine didn't nurse as much. And would nurse again around the normal time. Like every time I wanted to eat. And somehow thinking about more milk seemed to help too.
Happy nursing, A. H

Hello A., I don't know of any herbs, but my oldest daughter just dealt with this issue a month ago for her son who just turned 5 months old. The pediatrition told her to drink a glass of red wine every night before bed. I don't know what is in it, but it has worked wonderful for her. The doc said it had to be red wine. Now my daughter can keep up over 75% of his diet. She was just about ready to quite nursing before she gave the wine a try. Good luck.

My sister gave me a box of Mother's Milk tea and I swear it works wonders! Also, one thing that made a big difference for me was making sure I drank a lot of water! Keep those fluids up!
Good luck!

I don't know about the herbs but I do know that making sure you eat well, drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest and nurse on demand, you should have plenty of milk.

When my daughter was born (nearly 11 months ago) my milk never came in although I had a little bit. I called a lactation consultant and she told me to take Fenegreek (sp?) and Blessed Thistle, but not according to the directions on the bottle. Instead take 3 of each 3 times per day. It is a lot but it worked. We are still going strong with breastfeeding. Also she said that the baby latching on is what stimulates your body to produce milk so nurse as often as possible until you have a bigger supply. After your supply is up you can slowly take yourself off the herbs and your supply should remain.
S.

I have 13 month old twins that I have been nursing. I took fenugreek capsules from time to time to help boost my milk supply. This worked great for me. I took two capsules three times a day for a few days until I could tell my supply had increased. I've heard some people have to take it for up to two weeks to see a difference. Our pediatrician supported my decision to try this. Good luck.

I use Fenugreek herb. I am pretty certain it has kept my milk supply up. There are several brands and I don't think one is better than the next...
I read about this herb in an issue of FitPregnancy a few months ago. They do not recommend this herb in tea form ( Mother's Milk tea) because they said it has not been proven to work at all. The herb has been proven to work in capsule form though.
Also, keeping a good diet with plenty of good food and water helps as well! Hope this helps!

I use to drink fenugreek tea (with honey added!) because that herb is suppose to help increase milk supply. There is also a tea called Mother's milk.

I used fenegreek seed tablets which you can buy at the health food store. I had much success with this and motillium to induce a milk supply for my adopted new born.

I used Fenugreek. The nursing specialist at the hospital told me about it and I think it worked. I had absolutely ZERO milk and that helped me produce a few ounces a day. The women in my family dont really produce milk, so it may work better for you.

I have also heard beer, but I dont know how accurate that is or if I would drink it then try to nurse.

Have you tried calling the local hospital and speak with a nursing expert?

Good luck!
A.

A.,
I know that when I was breast feeding, I really needed to eat and drink a lot, or else I would notice my milk production really slowing down. Also, using a breast pump in between feedings also helped stimulate milk production. I don't know of any herbs that increase milk production, but be sure to be careful if you do try some as some herbs may end up in the breast milk. Good luck!

Silly as it sounds... drink chicken broth. It was the only thing that worked significantly. Quite a miracle actually! Good luck.

mother's milk. it's a tea and it's doesn't taste the greatest but it REALLY works...
good luck and don't give up!!!!

I am having trouble with my supply as well and a lactation consultant recommended Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek. I have been taking them for just under one week and I have noticed an increase. Not as much as some women report, but I'm hoping with continued use my supply will continue to increase. I just bought the supplements at Vitamin Shoppe and take 3 of each, three times a day for a total of 9 pills of each. The fenugreek causes your sweat to smell like maple syrup, but it's not too strong. I hope this helps.

Breastfeeding is hard work, but so, so worth it! Good for you!

I chose to use Fenugreek and believe it did help to keep my supply up. I talked to two different lactation consultants, a hospital dietician, a college health and nutrition professor (and RD), numerous doctors and lots of other mommies. I was unsure of adding supplements, just because I was not familiar and wanted to make sure they were safe. A couple of the doctors told me that their wives had taken Fenugreek with their own children. Just so you know...

Make sure you drink a ton of water (and lots of milk, too). Try to eat well and get enough sleep and don't stress - your body is designed to take care of your daughter. Listen to your instincts and take care of yourself, too.

The more frequently you feed and/or pump, the more milk your body will make - it's a supply and demand thing. Keep a chart if you need to and try keeping a schedule for yourself for a while. That may help to increase your supply and help you pinpoint what's working and what's not.

I do think it's a good idea to talk to a lactation consultant if you want extra help or advice. They are there to support you and have a wealth of knowledge and resources available. I know there are also a number of support groups for breastfeeding moms, but I do not have any experience with any of them for a specific recommendation.

Hang in there and remember you're not alone!! Good luck!

I have really bad low milk supply. My LC told me to try an herbal tea called Breastea. After the first day I went from pumping 1/2 ounce to 3 ounces. I'm now up to 5 ounces a pumping. You have to order it from their website at breastea.com but boy has it made a big difference. Just make sure you are breastfeeding or pumping alot.

Have you tried something natural like Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea.???

Updated

Have you tried something natural like Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea.???

Updated

Have you tried something natural like Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea.???

Hi A., My name is M.. I have 3 children all were breastfed successfully. I used brewers yeast as a supplement in my diet to increase my milk, may want to talk to Dr. first because that was several years ago. Enfamil has put on the market a once a day supplement called Expecta. Contains DHA and RHA nutrients to increase brain developement. To be taken while nursing. Don't know how expensive the product is but you could check on price. I was a member of La Leche League for 9 years and they used to recommend raspbery tea to increase milk supply. Drinking plenty of fluids and maybe pumping your breast in between feedings may help too. You can always freeze the milk for a outing with your husband. Good luck. Maybe some of the other moms will give you someother suggestions. M.

I haven't tried any, but I know that fenugreek works, and sage will diminish your supply rapidly. Be concerned about herb mixes that you may be adding to your food, if increasing the frequency of nursing and switching sides more often doesn't increase your supply. A lot of herb mixes include sage, sometimes quite a lot... and it works amazingly quickly.

Sinus medications will also dry you up...

Try Mother's Milk Tea and Fenugreek. You will need to drink 4-5 cups of tea a day and have to be dilligent about it. Also I was told you are taking enough fenugreek when your urine smells like maple syrup. I spread the tablets out during the day. What ever you decide to do start right away. It is really hard to get your milk supply back once you start losing it, but you should be able to increase it some by trying these things. In general make sure you are also getting enough fluids (water). I know you can get both at GNC if you think you will be taking them for a while join there club and you will get the money back easily. Also I would buy all of there mother's milk tea they have in stock and let them know you will be in again...sometimes it is out of stock! I have also heard that if you have the ability to "take the day off" (or two)and just spend the day in bed snuggling and letting your baby nurse whenever they want the physical connection and the supply & demand theory might kick in and can help, but it probably depends some on the age of your baby! Good Luck!

The two that I heard most often were eat oatmeal and drink a beer. Good Luck

I tried fenugreek w/ some success as my friends have too.. the only problem is you end up smelling like maple syrup.. but it's worth a try.. also omega 3's.. I heard are good.. of course check w/ your dr. first.. good luck. A..

I have never used herbs to increase my milk supply but what I did do was drink a gallon of water per day to help my supply and it worked with both of my kids. Plus it is good for you too :)
Hope this helps!
K.

The best advice I ever received was to drink GATORADE!! There is something about the increased hydration that worked for me. I stopped nursing my first at six months when my supply declined. I had the same problem with my subsequent child at the same six-month mark, but had gotten this tip and it worked out GREAT!!

After 6 mos of nursing my daughter I began to have a problem with milk supply. The lactation nurses recommended that I increase my water intake and also take blessed thistle and fenugreek. You'll need to take 3 capsules of each herb three times a day. You can get them at most herbal stores. Don't panic when your perspiration and urine begin to smell like maple syrup...that means they are working. Good luck!

I have to agree with the other moms i used mothers milk tea. It works great even when you think your supply is dwendling drink some and bam it works lol. I really didnt have a problem this time i did with my son. I got mine from GNC. good luck!

Hi There,
I heard that nutritional yeast flakes can help. I don't know much about it. I heard it on a radio health show. You could probably find some at Whole Foods.
Also, increasing your water intake can help. I head people should get half their body weight (in onces) of water. I weigh 150. So, I try to get in 75 onces of water a day. Just some food for thought.

When I was nursing my doctor told me that the best thing to do to increase milk supply was ensure I drank a lot of water - at least 8 glasses a day. Good luck!! And enjoy the nursing, they grow up so fast - it will soon be over!!
Barb

I am not sure how young your baby is, so I don't know how much she is feeding. But pump between sessions often. I used to pump for an hour when my supply was low and the next day it was better. So I would just pump a lot and I would notice an increase. It is all supply and demand. Be careful of taking Reglin (possibly mis-spelled). It is used in reflux for infants but also increases milk supply in nursing mothers. It only works while you are on it and can cause very serious depression. I would try drinking plenty of fluid. They say divide you body weight in half and drink that many ounces a day. So is you are 150 lbs. then drink 75 oz. of fluid a day. That is for normal people, so nursing mothers should increase that too. And try pumping long periods of time. Good luck!

When I started to have issues with my milk supply last summer dealing with the stress of my grandmother being ill, I began taking More Milk Plus capsules. They really seemed to help. I also started drinking Yogi's Nursing Mom Tea. Around the same time I got a list of foods that support milk production from a lactation consultant, and I tried to increase my intake of some of those foods when I had the opportunity. It included oatmeal, avocados, almonds, carrot, beets...I can't find the list now...

I continued with the capsules, tea, and supportive foods, until my daughter turned a year old...in March. At that point I stopped pumping at work, and stopped worrying about my supply. She is now almost 15 months, and still nursing...mostly at night. Good luck!