Does Fenugreek Help With Breast Feeding?

Many moms are excited about the chance to breast-feed their new babies. As they begin the process, they are discouraged to find that they may not have enough milk to keep up with their hungry baby. Many turn to natural sources to help increase their milk supply. One such option is the herb Fenugreek, which increases breast-feeding supply.

Breast-feeding moms use Fenugreek to increase their milk supply, and have since ancient times, including cultures in the Middle East, North Africa, and even India. While it is somewhat rare for a mother to not have enough milk at the onset of breast-feeding, Fenugreek can be used to support a mother who, for whatever reason, finds that her supply starts to dwindle before her baby is done nursing. There are many factors that can contribute to a dip in supply, including stress, pregnancy, and a change in environment. Breast-feeding moms find Fenugreek to be helpful increase their supply when this happens.

It is believed that most breast-feeding moms taking Fenugreek find an increase in their supply after one to three days. Often, Fenugreek is not needed to keep up the supply once it is restored, which is a great benefit of this herb over medications for milk supply. Health food stores sell Fenugreek capsules for breast-feeding moms. The capsules usually contain around 600 milligrams of Fenugreek. A recommended dosage to really produce the needed results in milk production is two to three capsules with all three meals. There is a tea made from Fenugreek, but it can often deter women from taking the herb as it has a very bitter taste. In fact, the much more pleasant Fenugreek capsules are actually more effective in increasing milk supply.

Possible Problems

There are few side effects to taking Fenugreek for breast-feeding mothers. Those who suffer from diabetes or other blood-sugar problems should use the herb with care because it can contribute to a dip in blood sugar, which is dangerous. Also, Fenugreek can increase the symptoms of those with severe asthma. While there does not seem to be a problem in the babies who drink the milk of a mother who uses Fenugreek, if the baby becomes unusually fussy or spits up after starting the herb, the mother should discontinue it. It is certainly possible for a baby to have an allergy to anything the mother takes in. Pregnant women should not take Fenugreek, as there have not been enough studies on the effects of Fenugreek of babies in the uterus.