Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby, as breast milk contains all of the nutrients that babies need. Breastfeeding can also be an enjoyable time for women to bond with their babies. Yet sometimes a woman experiences a low milk supply due to separation from her baby due to work or a medical problem. Fenugreek is an herb which can help to increase milk supply in breastfeeding women.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an herb that grows naturally in parts of Asia and Europe. According to Registered Nurse Kathleen Huggins of the San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition, fenugreek is a member of the pea family and grows in small, green pods. It has been used for hundreds of years for the purpose of treating wounds, decreasing fevers and increasing breast milk production.
Method
Kelly Bonyata, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), states that fenugreek acts as a galactogogue, stimulating the glands in the breasts to produce more milk. Therefore, it can be effective in boosting a woman’s milk supply, when used properly. It is essential that a woman nurse her baby often, at least every 3 hours, when taking fenugreek. Nursing often stimulates the breasts to continually make enough milk. Fenugreek can help, but it cannot maintain a good milk supply when the amount a woman breastfeeds is inadequate.
Forms
Fenugreek can be purchased in powder, seed, tea or capsule form. Many health food stores carry fenugreek capsules. Women can use whichever form of fenugreek they prefer. Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC, recommends capsule form for convenience.
Dose
According to Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC, breastfeeding women need to take at least 3,500 mg of fenugreek a day to notice any change in their breast milk supply. Taking any dose lower than 3,500 mg a day may be ineffective. Registered Nurse Kathleen Huggins states that fenugreek capsules usually come in doses of 580 to 610 mg per capsule, so breastfeeding women may need to take 6 or more capsules per day.
Safety
Registered Nurse Kathleen Huggins states that fenugreek is generally regarded as safe, however, taking fenugreek can still result in some mild side effects. The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine states that taking fenugreek can cause gastrointestinal distress such as gas, diarrhea and stomach cramps in some people. Additionally, Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC, warns that people who are allergic to chickpeas or peanuts should not take fenugreek, as an allergic reaction would be likely. Fenugreek may also raise blood sugar levels, so diabetics need to talk with their doctors before using fenugreek.
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