What galactagogue(s) worked for YOU?

[Mamja]

I'm planning to be more successful BFing #2 than #1. I am a BFAR mother, so I already know I'll need all the help I can get. I'm pretty much aware of all the different galactagogues, but I would like to hear stories of what worked for YOU. There are so many options that I don't know where to start. I'd like to have something on hand before birth to get off to the best start.

I was planning on getting some Motherlove More Milk Special Blend, since getting a blend of several different herbs seems to be a good idea. But it's pretty expensive.

[April Dawn]

More Milk didn't work for me. It doesn't seem to have enough of any of the herbs. I got zero benefit from it, even though I got a boost from many of the herbs in it when I took them individually.
 

Edited by April Dawn - 7/5/11 at 9:58pm

[Cory]

Hey there!

The biggest galactagogue I use is Goat's Rue-it REALLY helps me! If I took nothing else I would take Goat's Rue.

I also take fenugreek and Blessed Thistle, but I honestly can't say if they do much for me. It's more of a "just in case" thing. I tried Shatavari with #3 but again I am not sure that it did much.

[MamaMorgana]

Motherlove More Milk Plus works for me when I need a good boost. I'm not sure what the "plus" difference is. The recommended dosage is 4 times per day, and I only need 1 or 2 doses before I notice my breasts getting much fuller. And the only time I leak anymore is when I've taken it, so that's a big clue I'm making more milk!
Oatmeal seems to help me, too.
And pumping once during the night.

[Amy@STL]

Fenugreek and fennel are tradionally taken in my culture (south east asia). I have seen good results with these so far. Also, it woulbe be cheaper if u can buy the herbs individually and take them fresh daily. They retain their potency that way....good luck!

[zinemama]

I took fenugreek capsules, but to be honest, I really don't know if what they provided was more milk or a placebo effect leading to relaxation which led to more milk.

In your shoes I would definitely try to get ahold of domperidone.

[3crunchycarrots]

I have been taking more milk plus, fenugreek caps, more milk tea, shatavai and goats rue! I feel what has increased my miolk the most is Goats rue and shatavari. I have not yet stopped taking one of those to see if it makes a difference, still in experiential mode! I feels goats rue made the biggest increase

[poorlittlefish]

I am also BFAR and this will be my second time. First time after a long hard struggle I was able to get up to a full supply but I do think that was only because my daughter isn't a big eater. I took More Milk Plus and Fenugreek the whole year I was preggo. I don't know if that helped but I was too afraid to stop

This time, my LC recommeded taking Goats Rue started at 38 weeks (I am currently preggo).

One thing though about DOM, everything I have read said it is untest and no recommended during nursing. Why is that? I know a lot of people take it but that is not what the drug is for and I worry about side effects on me and baby. Also, where do people get it and how much does it run per month?

Thank you!

[April Dawn]

nm

Edited by April Dawn - 7/5/11 at 10:02pm

[bedheadmaestro]

Goat's Rue for me! I had a problem with not having many milk glands, and while domperidone did crank up production in the glands I have, it still wasn't enough, but I believe Goat's Rue actually built more glands/ducts. I could sense the changes. I got mine in bulk from here:
http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-2710-m...goats-rue-8-oz

[bedheadmaestro]

Goat's Rue for me! I had a problem with not having many milk glands, and while domperidone did crank up production in the glands I have, it still wasn't enough, but I believe Goat's Rue actually built more glands/ducts. I could sense the changes. I got mine in bulk from here:
http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-2710-m...goats-rue-8-oz

[Vegan Princess]

I have low supply due to implants..so same issues as BFAR. I vote for Goat's Rue too. It took my supply in my right breast from dribbles to an ounce per pumping after mastitis had almost dried it up and baby refused to nurse on that side. I take the liquid - 1/2 tsp twice/day. I also had no luck with the more milk special blend but saw a benefit from 4 pills of fenugreek 3x/day. And DOM! Dom was the biggest thing. But the 3 together are what I stayed on. I've since weaned off the dom (DD is 16 months) but I am still taking goats rue and fenugreek. I had added in shatavari after stopping dom but I think it inhibited let downs and I actually head DD swallowing more now that I've stopped it. I've heard other complain on the same problem.

Good luck this time! Moms usually make more milk the 2nd time around, even BFAR.

Cindy

[pleasantlyfurious]

Also BFAR here. I was looking into the MotherLove, too - but also was intimidated by the price, so I just started out with a more affordable bottle of fenugreek and it's given me enough a boost to start a freezer stash. If it stops working or I need a bigger boost I'll have to check out goat's rue, but for now, Fenugreek is doing the job!

[GuavaGirl]

What is the best form to take this herbs in, especially goat's rue? Liquid extract? Tea? Powder?

...and how do I know what dosage to use.

[germin8]

I'm taking dom, goat's rue, and more milk plus. I think they work, but not too sure since I haven't quit. But, I believe eating fennel bulb has helped too. I've eaten ALL the other galactagogues regularly (except brewer's yeast and alfalfa) and fennel bulb seems to make a difference. Check out the book "Mother Food".

[poorlittlefish]

I am a second time BFAR Mom and Shatavari has made the difference between baby gaining 4.5oz per week snd 6-7oz per week. It is cheap too.

Fenugreek gave me a very fussy, colicky baby.

[teton1898]

I second the fussy, colicky baby on fenugreek!

[Devaskyla]

IMO, you have to take WAY too much Fenugreek to make it worthwhile. When I had supply issues w/ds1 I tried it & never got anything more. Used Blessed Thistle & noticed a difference after just 2 doses.

[Mama2mc]

Oatmeal!!!

[Altair]

Gatorade has always been my secret to success maintaining a big supply while pumping at work and nursing at home. It's not the healthiest, and there are more natural alternatives, but it works.