Author Topic: Thoughts/experience with fenugreek, blessed thistle, etc? (Read 4397 times)

Mom-of-boys · « **on:** January 18, 2014, 04:49:40 am »

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.

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lauradj · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2014, 05:14:51 am »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2014, 09:27:35 am »

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

C&B&E · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2014, 09:34:37 am »

Quote from: LovelyLilyandJack on January 18, 2014, 09:27:35 am

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2014, 10:01:07 am »

Yeah I remember that curry aroma!

cuckoochick · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2014, 11:43:52 am »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2014, 14:50:48 pm »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2014, 15:28:46 pm »

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* · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2014, 19:35:53 pm »

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

didiosa1980 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2014, 01:25:23 am »

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* · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2014, 10:30:41 am »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2014, 10:32:42 am »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2014, 19:57:10 pm »

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* · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2014, 21:11:57 pm »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2014, 21:36:57 pm »

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?

Brock~Tahlia~Mummy · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2014, 02:49:32 am »

How about oats? Porridge/oatmeal? Also sunflower seeds, linseed meal and coconut. They're all good for your milk supply? I eat porridge every day with LSA (crushed linseed, sunflower,almond). My boobs are always full since doing this, I was recommended it on a breast feeding FB page. Other mothers noticed an increase in milk also

LovelyLilyandJack · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2014, 09:40:51 am »

Oh yeah, I forgot about oats. They helped me too (but I didn't keep it up cos I'm not that big a porridge fan and there are only so many flapjacks you can eat!)

Brock~Tahlia~Mummy · « **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2014, 12:55:36 pm »

Lol me either but it's great for your milk! I buy the nicer oats - organic brand. Soak in hot water for 5 mins, add oat milk and turn up the heat. I then add brown sugar. It's really creamy this way and tastes much nicer than just aiding water and regular milk

*Ali* · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2014, 13:02:19 pm »

You can also use oats instead I'd breadcrumbs to cover chicken or fish and add oats to smoothies.

eva026 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2014, 18:49:15 pm »

Quote from: Mom-of-boys on January 20, 2014, 21:36:57 pm

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?

If you do it at the same time over a few days, thats the time you will start producing more milk. So I figure if you are trying to increase in general, do a pumpathon at each pumping session for a few days. Pump till nothing comes out, load the dishwasher, pump till nothing comes out, load the washing machine, pump till nothing comes out etc. At the end of each pumpathon I'd try hand express the last of the milk that the pump didn't get.
My friend pumped for 3 kids and managed to feed EBM till they all reached 1y by doing this. It was the only way she could increase supply and keep up with GS.

A pair of Charlies · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2014, 16:25:07 pm »

I had a supply dip at 9months with my older son. I took fenugreek tablets (yeah, smelled sweet) which really helped. I also (from fab advice on here) ate porridge every day and that made a big old difference. Made with rolled oats, milk, drop of vanilla essence, g cinnamon, sugar and fresh berries (blueberries work well). Worked a treat at boosting supply -as did extra pumping.

Lotta x

didiosa1980 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 27, 2014, 18:04:08 pm »

I found this and have been doing 200 ml of oats every morning: http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal I actually upped it to 300 ml, hoping the extra 100 ml would help production. Great for breakfast on the go!

I also increased the amount of fenugreek I take to 2 pills every meal. Breakfast, 2 breaks, lunch, dinner, and before bedtime for the overnight. (No the back end hasn't been an issue despite that being the side effect.) I assume the extra have helped?

I also added more protein food sources to the diet and made sure I have tea along with my coffee for the 8 hours I'm gone from baby.

I've also tried to give baby some more time per side to help supply, since he's the best source of uptake there is.

I tried looking up Goats Rue, but it doesn't exist at my Whole Foods (shocking!), so I'm sticking with the fenugreek for now. I stopped taking the Mother's Milk tea because A: it's expensive and B: I took it in the beginning where I wasn't seeing any immediate results.

I was one of those 'wait two weeks to see results' type person. Thankfully, with all these things, my supply has gone back up to cover LO's feeds. I am still trying to get some of my frozen back, but...one thing at a time. ^_^;

eva026 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 27, 2014, 19:00:09 pm »

Great news:))

*Ali* · « **Reply #23 on:** January 27, 2014, 21:00:35 pm »

Sounds good

roseola · « **Reply #24 on:** January 28, 2014, 14:20:57 pm »

I just started taking fenugreek and blended thistle about 5 days ago and I definitely notice an increase. This link has some good info: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21:herbal-remedies-for-milk-supply&catid=5:information&Itemid=17

Good luck!

didiosa1980 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 28, 2014, 15:22:13 pm »

I've seen the blessed thistle in the store. Currently taking about 8 tablets of the fenugreek. Maybe I'll add the BT to it and see how it goes.

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Author Topic: Thoughts/experience with fenugreek, blessed thistle, etc? (Read 4397 times)