Thoughts/experience with fenugreek, blessed thistle, etc?

[Mom-of-boys]

I am exclusively pumping for my almost 4 mo and it seems like my milk supply is starting to decrease (or maybe he's just drinking more!).  I've read up on all the different ways to try to boost milk supply when pumping, but I'm just wondering if anyone's had any experiences with herbal supplements.  I've heard a lot about fenugreek, but my SIL warned me that it might make my baby gassy. . 

[lauradj]

I'm taking Fenugreek right now to boost my supply and I've had no issues with it affecting my baby.  I noticed an increase pretty much immediately.  I started taking it at lunch and I woke up the next morning with rock hard boobs.  You do have to take it regularly and take enough.  My public health nurse recommended two pills, three times at day (every meal) and I'm just going to go through the bottle and then stop.  I think your supply will be maintained as long as you continue nursing as before.  You will notice you start to smell sort of maple syrup/curry like but it's not a hugely noticeable smell.  My hubby says he doesn't notice a scent difference but I do.  I've read that you ought to take the two supplements together but I don't think you have to.
Hope this helps!!

[LovelyLilyandJack]

I took fenugreek with my eldest and it didn't make her gassy either.  It definitely helped!

[C&B&E]

I took fenugreek with my eldest and it didn't make her gassy either.  It definitely helped!

Same here.  I used it a lot with both of mine - I had to take a lot for it to make a difference (until I smelled like maple syrup/curry!!)

[LovelyLilyandJack]

Yeah I remember that curry aroma!

[cuckoochick]

Ooh yes, the armpit smells from fenugreek are really attractive. I used it with DD1 and found it great. No unpleasant effect on baby x

[juliana.s.burgess]

I used fenugreek but I also currently use Mother's milk tea three times a day... it doesnt taste very good but it helped a lot! I found the mother's milk tea worked better than the fenugreek so I stopped that and only drink the tea now.

[weaver]

Dehydration is also a major culprit will low supply.  The fenugreek works though! 

Pumps are not as efficient as babies, and your breasts may have got used to a certain level of production, so don't panic.

[*Ali*]

I took fenugreek and it was effective.  No noticeable side effects for LO.

[didiosa1980]

I've been taking the pills for about a week, 4-5 a day throughout. I haven't noticed any major increase. I know everyone is different, but I have taken about an 8-10 oz hit from the previous snacker situation and need this to work! I had the tea, but it's so expensive and tastes funny... plus there is some peppermint in it. Is there a good time to take the pills? Is morning better to capitalize upon with hormones?....would the fenugreek be a boost for the lessened low evening supply?

[*Ali*]

I had to take the pills three times a day so, morning, lunch and BT/dinner. I don't think once a day is enough. What does the pack say to do?

[eva026]

I took fenugreek and it was a great help to me. Max dose though and regularly 2x tablets 3x a day. In my case my supply went up within 24h. I did have to take it all the way through till we stopped BF at 1y. No issues for baby and no curry smell for me either.
Have you tried hand expressing straight after pumping to get more out and doing a pumpathon (pump, break 10min, pump, break 10min, pump etc) to simulate a GS to increase your supply?

[didiosa1980]

I haven't been able to do the full 1 hr 3x a day as recommended, but I DID get an extra 10.5 oz over the weekend outside of feeding baby...so I know that's a big help. Double pumping is amazing stimulation; way better than the single so I'm going to do that at work. I gotta find a way to get a hot compress on the top because it gets pretty stubborn to get out otherwise. My pediatrician today mentioned something about a ___ Rue...I forget the first part of it.  Does anyone know the first word? I might pick some up and try that. My ped. said that she had great success with it.
I also make sure baby is on both sides for a minimum of 9-10 minutes. We've capped out at 15 when I figured he was mostly comfort sucking.

[*Ali*]

Goat's rue? I don't know much about it though.
I wouldn't limit the length of breastfeeds when trying to increase supply. Even comfort suckling stimulates milk production.

[Mom-of-boys]

I haven't tried a pumpathon yet...I wonder if it would matter what time of day you pump?  Is that a one-time thing or would you do it once a day for a few days in a row?