If you are a breastfeeding mom, someone has inevitably recommended you drink a particular tea to help you keep up a good supply of milk for your baby – you may have even gotten a package for your baby shower. Or maybe you’ve read that medications or oatmeal will help you make more milk. These substances – called galactagogues – are thought to increase milk supply.
 

Are you a mom who needs galactagogue ?

 

 

In many cultures, new mothers are fed a special diet to enhance their milk, or are restricted from eating certain foods that are thought to hinder milk-making. Historically, milk making advice appears in texts from the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Chinese. So galactagogues are far from a modern fad. But very little research has been done to provide scientific evidence that these foods and herbs actually increase milk supply – so some people are skeptical.

 

First, ask yourself if your milk supply is truly low. The only way to know is to assess whether or not your baby is getting enough. Babies typically nurse 8-12 times each day – even older babies occasionally nurse often. A newborn should have 6-8 really wet cloth diapers each day after the first week, and should have at least 3 bowel movements per day. Older babies sometimes have fewer dirty diapers, but should continue to have plenty of wet ones. Your baby should gain 4-7 ounces per week (or about one pound per month), and should be meeting developmental milestones. If this describes your baby, your milk supply is probably just fine, and you don’t need any intervention.

 

Many moms who perceive low supply can improve the amount of milk they make with simple changes to their breastfeeding routine. Are you feeding often enough? Is your baby transferring milk? Having your baby assessed by a lactation consultant or healthcare provider can rule out medical issues that might limit milk transfer, such as tongue tie, low tone, etc. In the absence of a health problem, you can work closely with a lactation consultant to improve your breastfeeding technique to help increase supply – tips include feeding more often, using breast compressions, and pumping after or between feedings, among other things. Sometimes milk supply can be improved with simple adjustments to positioning and latch so that baby feeds more effectively. If these actions aren’t working, then adding a galactagogue might be a useful step.

 

Lactogenic (milk-making) Foods: Every culture has its foods that nursing moms are supposed to eat to make more milk or milk of a better quality. The great thing about lactogenic foods is that they are typically healthy and work to improve your overall diet, while they have few side effects, if any. On the downside, there is no “dose” to eat and not a great deal of solid research about whether or not they actually increase milk supply. And what works in one mom’s diet may do nothing for your milk supply. Common foods considered to be galactagogues include whole grains (especially oats and quinoa), dark green leafy vegetables, hops, brewer’s yeast, almonds, chickpeas, garlic, ginger and sesame seeds.

 

Herbal galactagogues are typically taken in the form of capsules, tinctures or teas. The most common herb used to increase milk supply is fenugreek. Most mothers notice an increase in their milk supply after 24-72 hours of starting fenugreek, but for others it can take 1-2 weeks for supply to increase sufficiently. Fenugreek does have some side effects and interactions with other medications and health conditions, so be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting use. Some mothers find that adding blessed thistle along with the fenugreek is more effective at increasing their milk supply. Other common lactogenic herbs include marshmallow root, goat’s rue, alfalfa, fennel, raspberry leaf, brewer’s yeast, moringa, and shatavari. Often packaged tea bags marketed to aid in milk making contain a combination of these herbs.

 

Medications to increase milk supply include metoclopramide (Reglan) and domperidone (Motilium). You will need to work closely with your own healthcare provider as these are prescription medications. In addition, domperidone use is controversial and it is not available in the US. Do your research and learn as much as you can about the side effects, interactions and potential complications of these medications before deciding on their use. For some moms, they make the difference in being able to produce more milk. For others, though, the medications do little to help and should be used with caution.

 

Keep in mind if your supply is actually low, you will need to nurse your baby more often or add pumping to your daily routine along with nursing. In order to make more milk, you need to be removing milk from the breast often. No amount of galactagogue will help if the milk isn’t moving.

 

Several books may be helpful as you work to increase your supply – maybe with the help of a galactagogue:

• The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk by Diana West and Lisa Marasco
• Mother Food by Hilary Jacobson
• The Nursing Mother’s Herbal by Sheila Humphrey

–       The Galactagogue Recipe Book by Frank J. Nice and Myung H. Nice

 

Most of the time galactagogue use is temporary – as soon as you find your supply has increased to meet your baby’s needs, you can slowly decrease the amount you’re using. But you’ll need to keep up the same feeding pattern and be sure your baby is nursing effectively in order to maintain your newly increased supply. For some moms, though, decreasing the galactagogue causes another dip in supply. The process is often trial and error, as no two moms and babies are the same.

 

Because the type of galactagogue should be chosen based on your individual situation, it is essential to work with someone knowledgeable about herbs and well-versed in lactation. Medications and herbs can have side effects or can interact with other medications you’re taking – so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider or a herbalist to determine the safety of specific galactagogues you intend to use.