Anyone Take Fenugreek?

I took Fenugreek for 9 months after returning to work and wanting to keep nursing my daughter till she was a year old. The only side effect it had was that I smelled like maple syrup. Depending on how low your supply has gotten you may need to take more than the recommended dosage for the first couple of weeks until you get your production back up and then you can just slowly taper off until you figure out how much you need to take for a steady supply.

On top of the Fenugreek, I would recommend pumping as often as you can during the day until your supply comes back up. So maybe instead of 2 or 3 30 minute sessions you do 6 or 7 10 or 15 minute sessions. The more you pump the more your body will make. It's a supply and demand thing.

Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

A.,
I take Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. Not sure how much is in each capsule, but I take 3 of each 2x a day.

Make sure you read this link - http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/milkproduction.html
(There's a lot of scientific facts in the beginning of the article, but if you scroll down to the red/green light icons, it becomes more "layman" speak.)

It REALLY helped me understand milk production and enabled me to maintain my supply even after returning to work and introducing solids.

I used this with my second son and it did work. Also, the Mothers Milk tea (you can get it at GNC) worked just as well if not better!

Good Luck!
E.

I tried both the fenugreek and the mothers milk tea and found both worked but the tea seemed to work a bit better. It recommended 4-5 cups a day, but I'm sure you don't have that kind of time, I know I didn't and I was home!
I would brew 2x strength (I like my tea strong anyway) and figured that since most "cups" of coffe or tea are based on a 6-8oz cup, using a Starbucks type mug got you to the RDA with a cup in the morning and a cup at night.
Good luck!
**Side note, I have heard and read that if you're smelling like maple syrup you're taking too little AND that you're taking too much. Not sure which is true, but there are lots of trained lactation consultants on this site who may be able to help with a definitive answer.

A.,
Hello! I currenly take Fenugreek. I have been taking it for over a month. It seems to help my production a little bit...I would at least try it. The downside is that you kinda smell like maple syrup all the time....

Dee gave some very good tips that I really agree with.
I've nursed four babies and have struggled many times with my milk supply. I just got back from vacation and my milk had gone down. Here is what works for me.
1. More Milk Plus is excellent and I think it works better than Fenugreek. You can find this on EBAY. I use to take Fenugreek with all my other babies but found More Milk Plus and it works better. I also still take Fenugreek.
2. Oatmeal everyday.
3. On the weekends or in the evening, nurse, nurse, nurse. You will see your milk go back up.
4. The tea works good too but it doesn't taste that good to me.
5. And remember, you won't pump as much as the baby can get from you. The baby always gets about two ounces more than you pump.
Good luck,
J.

I, too, used Fenugreek to increase my supply, and found it wonderfully helpful. I also took Blessed Thistle, which was recommended to me by a lactation consultant. Another great product you may want to try is organic Mother's Milk tea by Traditional Medicinals (a tea blended for the needs of lactating women...read more about it at www.traditionalmedicinals.com), which I found at both Whole Foods and traditional grocery stores.

Other useful tips include making sure you are getting as much sleep as possible (love that one!), making sure you are well-hydrated and eating enough (try buying dried fruits, nuts that you like, granola and sesame sticks in bulk and snacking on them while you are pumping/feeding your child), using a powerful breast pump at work in a quiet, private space with any relaxing aids you can use (maybe some white noise, lullabies, a recording of your baby, a photo of your baby, etc), and, if you aren't dealing with cracked nipples or other contraindications, pumping beyond 20 minutes...ideally until you have a second let-down (I realize this may not be possible at work, in which case I would recommend pumping AFTER breast-feeding at home). I know this sounds like an overwhelming amount of work, but your body will respond quickly and then won't need to do it again until the next time you need to increase your supply!

Another trick: this weekend, try spending the day in bed with your baby. Get your husband or a friend or relative on board to help with any errands/chores that have to be done, and have your meals brought to you in bed. (All those friends/relatives that keep offering to help, but don't know how to be helpful? Use them now!) Allow your baby to nurse as much as he or she wants to for at least 24-hours and your body will increase production!

Good luck!! (And if you have any further questions for me, I'm happy to provide you with whatever information I can!)

Dear A.,

My daughter is 9 month old now and I have been taking Fenugreek for 7 month now and it works great. I take 2 to 3 tablets daily. I pump at work and never needed to supplemend with formula. I get Fenugreek at GNC and highly recommend it. Please let me know if you need more info.

Astrid

you can also get anise seed or star anise and make tea (you can get at sprouts). it will help with milk supply too. they also have a tea called "mother's tea". (the fenugreek and anise seed will be much cheaper in the long run) Good luck! ~C.~

A.: I, too, had somewhat of a difficult time with production. I took Fenugreek with both my children. I had the most noticeable change with my second baby,and since I was also more relaxed, that had something to do with it, too! I recommend it - it is a natural herb and certainly can't hurt! Just be sure to take it at every meal and drink LOTS of water!

The other thing you can try is Mother's Milk herbal tea. It is supposed to help production as well.

Eat well, drink lots!

Best wishes!
E.

the only side effect is that you smell like maple syrup. not that big of deal when you consider the upside of increased milk production. :) Good luck!

I don't have any personal experience with fenugreek but I do know of a great website for nursing moms with lots of info. on increasing milk supply. It is www.kellymom.com Good luck !

I took it in the beginning -it helped some. I took 3 pills 4x day but I don't recall how much was in each pill. Also oatmeal helps -so have a bowl of oatmeal every day. What really helped me was a product called MoreMilkPlus - by herbal love - That's when I really saw improvement.