thread: fenugreek

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    1,387

    fenugreek

    Hi ladies, I have noticed a drop in supply since DD started solids about 6 weeks ago, more so since she has started to like food though in the last couple of weeks. She is also waking more overnight so I am thinking it's because she isn't getting enough milk. I just picked up some fenugreek and am just wondering how much I should take. Thank you.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    sydney
    254

    fenugreek

    I started with one a day although it said 3 a day - one was enough for me

  3. #3
    You were RAK'ed in 2015

    Mar 2011
    Perth
    1,350

    I use a blessed thistle/fenugreek combination, which I take twice a day (as well as brewer's yeast and motilium.) Each tablet contains 1.5g of fenugreek, according to the label.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Brisbane
    598

    I was wondering about the brewers yeast tablets a lil while ago, I even started a thread on it but no one knew about is alas.
    So Pholi is it just brewed yeast tablets from a health food shop and do you just take one a day as it doesn't give directions for bf on the jar.

    I am also on motillum to help with supply and still need more of a boost as I am mainly expressing.

  5. #5
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Feb 2012
    Melbourne , Victoria
    2,109

    I take 5 fenugreek/ blessed thistle a day i think its the same brand a Pholi. I also take 5 motilium and 4 thomsons brewers yeast.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    melb
    8,498

    I found fenugreek upset DS1 and my tummys. I used to take 2 Blessed thistle and 2 Alfalfa tabs a day, was really good.

    I did not find Motilium did much for me.

    Good luck

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    1,387

    Thanks ladies, i will see how i go. I have been advised 3 a day for a couple of days. If it upsets bubs tummy I will take a trip to the city and go to a health food shop

  8. #8
    You were RAK'ed in 2015

    Mar 2011
    Perth
    1,350

    Deedles, it is Thompson's brand Brewer's Yeast, the instructions say to take 1 to 4 tablets, three times a day, though that's not BF specific. I choose to take 2-3 tablets 3x/day, because I kneww how much brewer's yeast worked for me in raw form in lactation cookie dough, and I made some calculations and decided that 6-10 tabs a day was about right. The fenugreek/blessed thistle brand is Herbs of Gold - it might be different to the one Frangipani Lou takes, if she's taking 5 a day... FL? I take 6 a day of the motilium.

    I think that for mothers whose supply is just a little bit low, it's probably easier to work out how much you need to boost your supply enough to satisfy bub. You take some, and if bub is happy, it's the right dose. It's a lot harder for the few of us who have only a small or moderate proportion of the milk we would need for bub, and even on maximum doses of these herbs and drugs, we still don't have anywhere near enough, and have no choice but to supplement with formula. I really can't tell if taking 10 brewer's yeast tablets a day is better for me that taking 6, without going back to the 'good ol' days' (not!) of weighing bub on the infant scales before and after every breast feed.

  9. #9
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Feb 2012
    Melbourne , Victoria
    2,109

    fenugreek

    Yup Pholi that's the brands I use. It's hard to know how much milk we make even when mix feeding.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Brisbane
    598

    Ok great! I am off to grab some now. This is the first time I have had to supplement feed and its tough but has to be done. Hopefully they will make a difference.
    How long did it take to notice a difference in supply?

    Oh and I'm on 2 motillium 3 times a day.

  11. #11
    You were RAK'ed in 2015

    Mar 2011
    Perth
    1,350

    When I was weighing bub at every feed, and therefore knew exactly how much BM he was getting, I found the in lactation cookies, which contain brewers yeast, increased my supply within a day. But Deedles, I also found that an afternoon nap increased my production in the evening - I wonder how much rest you're getting with 2 young children as well as your bub... my LC and my paediatrician agreed that supply-wise, getting more sleep was really important. And staying well-hydrated, too.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    May 2007
    Warrnambool Vic
    1,476

    Hi, Just wanted to mention that it is normal that when your baby is taking more solid food that they will take less milk and that your supply will reduce - that’s normal. And it is how weaning happens - gradually, and over many months or years. You are only feeding one baby- yours! You don’t need to have the sort of supply you had in the early weeks when your little one was solely dependant on your milk. Supply = demand. The more your baby feeds the more you will make. It’s also common for sleeping patterns to change when babies start solids. There is a persistent rumour that they will sleep better dueing the night when solids are introduced. But most mums find that the new foods take a while to run in on that little tummy, used only to mum’s milk, so it might not be a straight line between less milk and more night waking.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    1,387

    She just seems to want more milk and it's like it stops iykwim.

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    1,387

    she also has an upper lip tie if that could be partly to blame. I would love to have a chat about it.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Apr 2013
    New South Wales
    10

    I came across some fenugreek seeds. Will they also work?

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    1,387

    Haven't noticed a difference yet. Left side is worse then right and she has been shunning it. It's already smaller :/

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    in the ning nang nong
    12,163

    I had the capsules and it was something crazy like 15 a day ... plys tea! I put fennel seeds in the tea too, because it's supposed to help as well, and it makes the fenugreek less foul.

    PS: smaller doesn't necessarily mean more milk

    Good luck !