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What is a galactagogue? Do I need one?
...Herbal remedies for increasing
milk supply
By Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC
A substance that increases milk supply is called a galactagogue.
Some of the most commonly used herbal
galactagogues are fenugreek,
blessed thistle, and alfalfa.
There are also several prescription
medications that can increase milk supply.
Before you
decide on an herbal supplement, consider your reasons for doing
so.
Do you think that your milk supply is low? Why? Many moms think
that they have a low milk supply even though their supply is just
fine. Take a look at this information page on Increasing
Low Milk Supply for more information on whether your supply
is really low, and ways to increase your milk supply without herbs
or medications. If you feel that your milk supply is truly low,
then it will be very helpful to get in touch with a La
Leche League Leader and/or a board
certified lactation consultant for one-on-one help for your
particular situation.
The average
mother does not need galactagogues to increase or maintain supply.
Following are examples of situations when galactagogue use may
be useful:
- Some working mothers use herbs to increase
their pumping output, even though their supply is fine when
baby nurses.
- Some mothers with a genuinely low milk
supply use galactagogues in combination with increased nursing/pumping
to increase supply.
- Adoptive
moms may use galactagogues to increase the amount of milk
they are able to provide for their babies.
The usual, non-herbal, non-medication methods
for increasing milk supply are sufficient for most mothers.
If these methods have not proven sufficient and you feel that a
galactagogue is needed, remember that any galactagogue will be most
effective in increasing milk supply when combined with an increased
nursing frequency.
Here's a bit of trivia: a number of the herbs and prescription
medicines used for increasing milk supply also have uses related
to digestive problems, for example, fenugreek, blessed thistle,
fennel, alfalfa, metoclopramide and domperidone.
Alphabetized
listing of herbs and remedies used for increasing milk supply
A
- B ·
C - E · F
- I · J - M ·
N - Z
Fenugreek
Seed for Increasing Milk Supply
Oatmeal
for increasing milk supply
Page last modified:
03/05/2005
Written: 05/12/1998
