Can The Herb Fenugreek Increase A Mom's Milk Supply?

Women have used the spice fenugreek since ancient times in the Middle East, North Africa, and India to stimulate milk flow. Fenugreek breastfeeding appears to be the herb that is most often used to increase milk supply. The oil contained in fenugreek seeds is believed to play a role in boosting milk supply.

Nearly all mothers report an increase in their milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after taking the herb. Fenugreek has been used either short-term to boost milk supply or long-term to augment supply and pumping yields, will not improve low production when the breasts are not being well drained. If you’re having problems with any side effects, discontinue use and consider alternative methods of increasing milk supply.

You can buy fenugreek capsules containing ground seeds at most health food stores. Although some brands recommend that you take one capsule three times a day, this dosage is too low to adequately improve milk production.

Possible side effects and cautions:

1.      Sweat and urine smells like maple syrup; milk and breastfed baby may smell like maple syrup.

2.      Occasionally causes loose stools, which go away when fenugreek is discontinued.

Use with caution if you have a history of:

1.      Diabetes or hypoglycemia: Fenugreek reduces blood glucose levels, and in the few studies using it as a hypoglycemic, also reduces blood cholesterol. If you’re diabetic, use fenugreek only if you have good control of your blood glucose levels. Mothers with hypoglycemia should also use fenugreek with caution.

2.      Asthma: Fenugreek is often cited as a natural remedy for asthma.

Drug interactions:

1.      Oral drugs taken at the same time as fenugreek may have delayed absorption due to the mucilage content of fenugreek.

2.      Glipizide and other antidiabetic drugs. Fenugreek reduces blood glucose levels and may enhance the effects of these drugs.

3.      Insulin. Fenugreek reduces blood glucose levels, so insulin dosage may need to be adjusted.

Medicinal doses of fenugreek are considered a uterine stimulant. Fenugreek is used as a morning sickness remedy in Chinese medicine. Motherlove Herbal lists fenugreek as a cleansing herb which is “too strong” to be used during pregnancy.

Water and alcohol extracts of fenugreek are oxytocic. Fenugreek exerts an oxytocic effect in guinea pigs. Not recommended during pregnancy.

Most of the time, baby is unaffected by mom’s use of fenugreek. Sometimes baby will smell like maple syrup. However, some moms have noticed that baby is fussy and has green, watery stools when mom is taking fenugreek and the symptoms go away when mom discontinues the fenugreek.

Fenugreek can cause GI symptoms in mom, so it’s possible for it to cause GI symptoms in baby too. Also anyone can have an allergic reaction to any herb, and fenugreek allergy, though rare, has been documented.

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