Breastfeeding : Can Fenugreek and Mother's Milk Tea help increase your milk supply?
I am still nursing my nine-month-old daughter and I have noticed my milk supply has decreased dramatically. I know this is probably due to her increase in solids, sleeping through the night and the return of my menstrual cycle. I have read Fenugreek and Mother's Milk Tea are two herbal remedies that will increase milk supply. Could I try both of these at the same time or if I just need to try one at a time?
Question:Debbi Donovan
Debbi Donovan is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, as well as a retired La Leche League Leader. For more than a decade, Debbi... Read more
It is normal to see some decrease in your milk supply as your baby begins adding solid foods to her diet. If you feel your supply is no longer meeting your baby's needs, it is important to take action.
To help increase your milk supply:
- Increase the number of times you breastfeed each day. Nurse prior to offering her solid foods. Consider nursing or expressing your milk during the night (going for long periods without breastfeeding can cause a decrease in milk supply.)
- Express your milk if you miss a regular feed.
- Get adequate rest and relaxation. (I do know that may be hard with a nine-month-old!)
If you do decide to use herbs to try and step up your milk supply, fenugreek and Mother's Milk Tea are two that do seem to help many mothers. I would not use both fenugreek and Mother's Milk Tea together, since fenugreek is an ingredient in the tea.
Mother's Milk Tea is a commercially-prepared tea made from these herbs: fennel seeds, coriander seeds, spearmint, lemongrass, borage leaves, blessed thistle leaves, althea root, lemon verbena, and fenugreek seeds. In general, a well-known brand of tea is not likely to produce negative side-effects unless taken in large quantities (over four cups a day.)
A few things to keep in mind when using herbs to increase your milk supply:
- Work with a trained and competent herbalist.
- Herbs are plants with pharmacological action and should be used with caution (as you would any drug.) If you or your baby develop any side-effects, discontinue use.
- Potency can be dramatically affected by the way an herbal tea is prepared (short or long brewing period.)
Wishing you the very best in increasing your milk supply!
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