Women who choose to breastfeed their babies commit their time and energy to making them as healthy as possible. Breast milk is the most nutritious food for a baby. Yet, when babies go through growth spurts or a woman returns to work, it can be challenging for her to continue making enough breast milk for the baby. Women may be able to boost their milk supplies by taking the herb fenugreek. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there is still not enough scientific evidence to prove that using fenugreek is effective.
Step 1
Purchase fenugreek in capsule form with a dose of at least 500mg per capsule. Kelly Bonyata, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), states that fenugreek acts as a galactagogue, stimulating the glands in the breasts to make more milk. You can find fenugreek in a health food store or breastfeeding supply store at your local hospital.
Step 2
Take two fenugreek capsules every two to four hours while you are awake, up to a maximum of 14 capsules per day. Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC, states that women usually don’t notice any differences in breast milk supply if they take doses of less than 3,500mg a day or less. If you take over 3,500mg of fenugreek a day, you can expect to notice a greater supply of breast milk within 24 to 72 hours.
Step 3
Nurse every three hours or more often as the baby needs. The more often that you breastfeed the baby, the more breast milk your body will produce. Pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears explains that every time you breastfeed, the hormone oxytocin is released and it allows the breasts to continue producing more milk. If you are separated from the baby for 4 hours or more, you should express your milk using a breast pump. Breast pumps are available for rent from hospitals and the WIC program, and they are also available for purchase in baby supply stores.
Step 4
Avoid giving bottles, pacifiers or formula if possible. Dr. Bill Sears explains that bottles and pacifiers change the way that a baby sucks and make it harder for the baby to nurse. Unless the doctor tells you that formula or pacifiers are necessary, you should breastfeed exclusively in order to keep your milk supply high.
Things You'll Need
- Fenugreek capsules
