Should I be taking a supplement to increase my milk production?

Galactagogue – It sounds like some overtly strict professor from a recently discovered planet.  Ok, maybe I’m just a nerd.  In fact, a galactagogue is any substance or supplement that promotes lactation in humans and other animals.

So many times, while I’m late night [Read: 7:30pm] surfing my mom groups on social media, sleeping toddler who can doze through literal bombings at our local military base, but awakes screaming if I sneeze, in the crook of my arm, I see a post from a mom asking how to increase her milk production.  

And then in come the galactagogue pushers with their laundry list of oils, and supplements, and herbs (MLM anyone?):

“Have you tried Fenugreek?  It works wonders!”

“Sweet Nipple of St. Agnes Tea.  Get some ASAP.  You’ll be pouring milk out of every orifice”

“Rub some blessed thistle on your ass and then count to 7.  Works every time!”

First of all, the next time I see someone type “It works wonders!” I’m going to reach through my screen and slap them.  This ain’t QVC, Donna.  Grates my nerves.  But secondly, while anecdotally, galactagogues have had positive effects on some women, there are really no credible studies around their effectiveness, and they can have the exact opposite effect for some women.  There are so many factors that could contribute to a mom either thinking that her milk production isn’t up to snuff or that could actually contribute to decreased milk production, so I urge you to find the root cause of such perception or issue rather than attempting to patch it up with a magic pill or tincture. 

Below are a list of some common galactagogues and reasons you might want to avoid or consider them.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is an herb, found in the Mediterranean and West Asia that is most widely produced in India.  It has a wide variety of medicinal uses including use as an appetite stimulant, to help with kidney function, and to lower high cholesterol.  It is widely recommended in social media mom groups as a means to increase milk production, and can be found in many supplements such as Upspring’s Milkflow supplement and Honest Brand’s Postnatal Lactation Plus.  Fenugreek can be a very effective galactagogue for some women, however it can actually have the opposite effect for some others and decrease their milk supply.  On top of that, it can cause gas and upset stomach for baby and mama.  Another potential side effect is that it can affect the absorption of medications and vitamins.  No thanks.  If you can curb your curiosity and avoid this one, I’d recommend it.  Upping your water intake and making sure you are getting enough calories will, as they say, “work wonders”.

Brewer’s Yeast

Tastes like shit on it’s own.  Can be palatable in “lactation cookies”.  This is another one that can go either way for you. Some women have great success with brewer’s yeast.  Other women have major tummy issues themselves and sometimes their babies get upset stomachs too.  If you’re going to try this one, my recommendation is to bake it in a cookie, or drink a pint of Guiness.  At least make it fun for yourself at the start of your experiment if it has the potential to end in a stomachache.  If you choose not to roll the yeasty dice, just make cookies and drink beer anyway.  Life is short.

Blessed Thistle

This sounds like something you’d say when you step on a Lego…”Blessed thistle, Karen!  Put these G– damn Legos away!”.  I digress.  Blessed thistle when taken in the wrong quantities can cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and many other symptoms spouted off in a Pepto-Bismol commercial.  It’s in many prepared lactation teas like Motherlove‘s lactation capsules and tinctures.  I love me some Motherlove products, but I’d still skip the galactagogues if you can help it, because who wants to give baby another reason to wake up screaming at 2am (gas)?

Oats

While there is no scientific evidence indicating that oats increase lactation, they are often recommended, and they can work for some women.  I see no issue with this one, and also oats are delicious.  You can have it in a cookie, a hot bowl of oatmeal in the am…oat pancakes.  Do what you like, mama.  Kelly Mom theorizes that oats might work because they are a good source of iron, reduce cholesterol, and are “comfort food”.  No harm in trying!

Fin

And there you have it folks!  If you’re considering a galactagogue, you’re taking a gamble.  You can’t be sure that the supplement will affect your milk supply positively, and there is the chance that it would do the very opposite!  If you’re having trouble with milk supply, please speak with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), not Hilary from your old pilates class that you never really made it to and ended up paying for anyway.  If you don’t have the extra money to work with an IBCLC, find you a La Leche League group in your local town, and get your lactating ass to a meeting.  Or at least join the Facebook group to ask questions!