The production of breast milk is all about supply and demand. When the baby wants milk, the mother’s body produces and provides the baby with that milk. Many women can make sufficient milk for their children. However, due to a variety of reasons, some can produce an insufficient amount of milk. Lactation experts may help women review breastfeeding positions. And also recommend latch techniques to improve breast milk production. Let’s learn about fenugreek seeds’ role in breast milk production.
Around 3 out of every 4 new moms in the U.S are starting to breastfeed their babies. But many stop either partially or entirely in the first few months.
One of the main reasons why many new moms are heading for the formula? They’re concerned that they don’t have enough milk to fulfill the baby’s stomach’s bottomless pit. The struggle is real.
Keep in mind that most women already have a sufficient supply of milk. And even more than one-third more milk than their baby needs. You may also have circumstances that lead you to want to boost production. This is where natural remedies like fenugreek might come in.
Fenugreek has been used for decades by breastfeeding mothers trying to improve their supply. But does it work?
What’s the Fenugreek?
Fenugreek is a herb native to western Asia and the Mediterranean. It has 3 green or yellow oblong leaves, which can be eaten fresh or dry.
Fenugreek leaves and seeds are important for cooking and medications. Fenugreek seeds, also known as methi seeds. Which are common ingredients in Indian curries and Turkish, Persian, Eritrean, Ethiopian and Egyptian dishes. Fenugreek seeds also add to:
- artificial maple syrup,
- candies,
- ice cream,
- beverages,
- cigarettes,
- soaps
- and cosmetics due to their sweet, maple-syrup-like scent and flavor.
People today use fenugreek seeds in various items. They have also eaten them for hundreds of years. Archaeologists have found cooked fenugreek seeds from 4,000 BC in Iraq!
Not only do fenugreek seeds taste good, but they have a range of health benefits.
Can The Herb Fenugreek Raise Mother’s Breast Milk Production?
For several years and decades, many new mothers in the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and North Africa have been eating fenugreek herbs in different ways to increase their milk production. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, publishes a paper on ‘Increasing Breast Milk Supply‘ postulates the use of fenugreek as herbal galactagogues. Galactogogous is a substance that promotes the flow of mother’s milk through lactation. The Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation also refers to fenugreek as a herb. It contains pharmacological agents close to those used in lactation-inducing and lactation-inducing medications.
How Long Will It Take for Fenugreek Raise Breast Milk Production?
Fenugreek capsules are found in almost every food and health store. Each bottle contains approximately 100 tablets weighing about 580-610 mg of fenugreek. The recommended dose of fenugreek for new mothers is 3 capsules, 3 days a day. Fenugreek is a fast-acting herb. Fenugreek consumption effects were observed between 12 and 24 hours. Lactating mothers reportedly observed a rise in breast milk development well within 72 hours of taking the capsule. You should stop eating fenugreek capsules once milk production has improved. Healthcare professionals have found that fenugreek does not improve milk production when both breasts are not fully drained. If fenugreek consumption is below 350 mg, there would be no beneficial effects for increasing breastmilk production.
How Much Should You Take?
If you’re hunting for these benefits in your life, you want to know how much fenugreek the trick will do.
Herbal tea drinkers can easily steep 1 teaspoon of whole fenugreek seed in a cup of boiling water for about 15 minutes and sip 2 to 3 times a day.
If you search for a more concentrated source of fenugreek, you may want to try capsule supplements. A safe dosage is usually 2-3 capsules (580 to 610 milligrams per capsule) 3 or 4 times a day.
Fenugreek capsules work quickly. So lucky moms are probably to see an improvement in milk production in as little as 24 to 72 hours. Others will have to wait for about 2 weeks. But sometimes fenugreek is not the answer.
Before you start, note that herbal supplements are not regulated in the same way as prescription medications. Before taking any natural remedies, check with your doctor or lactation consultant and stick to trusted brands.
Side-Effects of Consuming Fenugreek
Everybody knows that herbs also have some side effects, some severe ones as well. As a result, eating fenugreek may prove to be undesirable for some women.
- The use of fenugreek could lead to maple syrup’s odor in the lactating mother’s urine and sweat.
- Some women develop and complain of diarrhea. The disorder decreases as the dose is reduced or stopped.
Fenugreek can also low blood glucose levels. If you have diabetes and a lactating woman, tread with caution. And on the advice of your lactation expert or doctor, eat fenugreek.
Fenugreek Breastfeeding Side Effects for Baby
Doctors and health care providers do not recommend that pregnant women eat fenugreek. Cause it can stimulate the uterus and lead to contractions.
Babies of lactating mothers who eat fenugreek have shown no harmful side effects. Always contact your doctor or lactation specialist before you start using fenugreek to increase milk production.
They can tell you the correct dose of fenugreek intake. Start a small dose to prevent any side effects. And, despite all these steps, if your milk production doesn’t go up, let your doctor know.
Interaction With Other Herbs or Drugs
There are no reported reactions with other medications for those taking fenugreek to increase the production of milk. But there is some evidence that fenugreek decreases blood glucose levels. So women with diabetes may need to adjust their insulin dosage.
It can also interact with blood thinners such as warfarin. Consult a doctor before using fenugreek or other herbal supplements, especially when you take prescription drugs or have diabetes.
The Bottom Line
We know how much you love your child and that you will do all you can to ensure that you provide for and feed the child in the best way possible. But sometimes, our body needs a boost to kick off its routine. Fenugreek is a kick-starter for the production of breast milk. All you need to do is speak to your lactation specialist and start a rich fenugreek diet. And we’re sure you’ll benefit from the wonderful insight we’ve just shared. This is only our research, and it may not be accurate for everyone. Happy breastfeeding!
