Herbal regimen for increasing milk supply

[sarackerma]

I've been hearing some different theories on how best to increase milk supply via herbs, and it's making me unsure what regimen I want to pursue this time.

Background: I had low supply with my daughter and needed to supplement (a little on day 4, then from 14 days onward). I am now pregnant with my second and realize things could be different this time, but I'm borderline PCOS and that factor has not changed. I'm already aware of all the other tips and tricks (pumping, supplementing via lact-aid and not bottles, oatmeal and ice cream, cranio-sacral therapy, domperidone, etc. I did it all.) and am solely looking for more information regarding herbs at the moment.

I took More Milk Plus, then More Milk Special Blend with my daughter. I still have an unopened and unexpired 8oz bottle of MMSB. I know I definitely want to incorporate Goat's Rue no matter what I do because of the PCOS, and that is one of the ingredients in MMSB.

Here are some of the theories I've heard:
-Take massive amounts of Fenugreek, until you smell like maple syrup.
-Taking MMP plus separate Goat's Rue is more effective than the MMSB.

So... should I take MMP and Goat's Rue? MMP, additional Fenugreek, and Goat's Rue? Or maybe MMSB plus additional Fenugreek and even more Goat's Rue? What are the safe maximum effective dosages of each of these herbs?

I'd really like to see any data that shows what is likely to perform best. I was never good at pinpointing what contributed to changes in supply, so don't want to mess around with a "try it all" approach. (Not to mention, most of these herbs don't come cheap so I wouldn't want to buy something unnecessarily.)

If anyone knows detailed information about this topic or can point me in a good direction to pursue it, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Siera]

I can tell you what my lactation consultant told me to do when I was pumping exclusively while my DD was in the NICU. She recommended Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. I can't exactly remember her dosages, but I want to say it was like 3-4 Fenugreek maybe 3 times a day (make sure you have the maple syrup smell to your urine) and the I think the Blessed Thistle was maybe 2 x 3 times a day. I was also encouraged to eat Indian food, drink the Mother's Milk tea, and eat lots of oatmeal. Hope this can help you in some way!

[bigmommylove]

I don't think you're supposed to use herbs when you are pregnant. I would ask my doctor first before trying anything else. Hope this helps.

[Roxanne010]

Originally Posted by Siera

I can tell you what my lactation consultant told me to do when I was pumping exclusively while my DD was in the NICU. She recommended Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. I can't exactly remember her dosages, but I want to say it was like 3-4 Fenugreek maybe 3 times a day (make sure you have the maple syrup smell to your urine) and the I think the Blessed Thistle was maybe 2 x 3 times a day. I was also encouraged to eat Indian food, drink the Mother's Milk tea, and eat lots of oatmeal. Hope this can help you in some way!

A lll leader suggested I try 3 fenugreek and 3 blessed thistle 3 times a day, I've been doing it for 2 days and noticed a difference about 12 hours after starting.

Heres a link to Dr Jack Newmans page on herbal supplements to increase supply:

http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...tion&Itemid=17

[P.J.]

My milk was slow to come in because of major blood loss during a cesarean birth. My midwife recommended Fenugreek capsules, I don't know the exact dosage but I was taking 8 caps per day and I reeked of curry (I guess to some it smells like maple syrup but to me it was curry). I think it helped, because I was able to provide enough milk that I didn't need to pump anymore and my baby didn't need any more bottle/formula within 2 1/2 weeks of the birth. That may sound like a long time, but considering the situation and that I had literally zero milk the first 6 days (while still in hospital, no supplements for milk), I think the Fenugreek helped.

I agree with as PP, do not take any supplements while pregnant without getting the ok from your midwife/gyn. In any case I'm not sure it helps until after the birth when you need the milk anyhow. Good luck!