Use
of Galactogogues in Initiating or Augmenting the Rate of Maternal Milk Secretion
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol # 9: Use of
Galactogogues in Initiating or Augmenting the Rate of Maternal Milk Secretion.
Not much clinical research has been done as far as how and why different galactagogues work — especially
herbal galactogogues like fenugreek and blessed thistle.
«Armed with all of the knowledge and information, I was able to take steps antenatally, such as
taking galactogogues and breast massage, to improve my chances of successful lactation, but I also prepared for the likely scenario of having to supplement at least some of the time.
To help mothers with hypoplastic breasts and insufficient glandural tissue to make as much milk as they are capable of, there are herbs
called galactogogues which can help your body to produce more milk, and some medications can also help you to produce more milk.
Using a good
galactogogue such as More Milk Plus Special Blend would also be encouraged.
In a different lecture, Smillie shared techniques that she felt were the most useful (massage and hand expression, less so
galactogogues like Domperidone and fenugreek).
«Green papaya is a great source of
galactogogue which helps induce lactation - enhancing milk production,» Zeitlin says.
On her website, she has an amazing - looking recipe
for galactogogue brownies that I wanted to try, and I figured they would definitely be better than oatmeal!
The important thing to remember is that an herbal or
prescribed galactogogue will only work if you take it while actively trying to build your supply at the same time.
Fenugreek is one of the most
popular galactogogues, but some mothers report that it makes their babies fussy (not to mention it can cause you to smell like maple syrup).
This session will familiarize the learner with important herb issues then examine individual profiles, research and clinical experience for some of the most popular reputed
galactogogue herbs and products.
The most important things to be aware of
with galactogogues is that they will only help if you have effective and efficient removal of breastmilk from your breasts as well.
Fenugreek is the mostly commonly recommended herbal
galactogogue currently, and adored among lactation consultants.
But when a client is already doing her best and
prescription galactogogues don't fit well into the picture, what else can be done?
* Specific herb monographs * Combination products such as tinctures, capsules and teas * Optional: a brief on
homeopathic galactogogues ** Note: Ethics concerns are touched upon briefly.
The best way to increase your milk supply is to take
galactogogues while you increase the number of times you pump and breastfeed your baby.
This session starts with an overview primer on herbs in general, reviews
potential galactogogue mechanisms, and then examines specific herbs.
Yes, some of these foods may act as
natural galactogogues, or substances that help boost your milk production.
Excellent resource for effective herbal and
food galactogogues and dosages, as well as which herbs to avoid.
If you decide that you want to try to increase your milk supply to donate more milk, talk to your healthcare provider or lactation consultant to figure out
what galactogogue might work best for you.
She recommends adding 1/2 cup of green papaya to a smoothie with
other galactogogue - rich foods like spinach and carrots.
In most
cases galactogogues will not hurt you, but make sure to consult with your healthcare provider when introducing any herbs or supplements in conjunction with any medications you are already on.
These are all amazing, healthy additions to any diet — and they do have the added bonus of being a naturally
occurring galactogogue.
More Milk Plus Family, by MotherLove herbal company, is a wonderful
combination galactogogue that is favored by many in the breastfeeding profession.
Also, eating a wholesome diet and
incorporating galactogogues such as oats, lactation cookies, lactation tea, fenugreek and other herbs can boost milk supply.
Health insurance companies need to reimburse doctors for the time they spend attending to breast - feeding issues, to
cover galactogogues, and to cover donor breast milk for women with lactation failure.
Finally, and just as importantly,
suggesting galactogogues reinforces the notion that breastfeeding requires special stuff in order to work.
Medications, herbs and foods that help increase milk supply are
called galactogogues and work by increasing the hormone, prolactin, which helps your body make breast milk.
Galactogogues such as flax seed, fennel seed, fenugreek, moringa powder, and brewers yeast are also shown to potentially increase your milk supply.
Certain medications or herbs that act
as galactogogues are added to increase prolactin levels.
Safety and Efficacy of
Galactogogues: Substances that Induce, Maintain and Increase Breast Milk Production J Pharm Pharm Sci, 13 (2): 162 - 174, 2010.
I'd caution against immediately jumping into using herbs as there may be side effects and drug interactions, and in many cases,
galactogogues aren't necessary to increase / maintain supply.
Some moms swear that oats boost their supply, since they're considered
a galactogogue (medication or substance believed to assist milk production).
Galactogogues are effective only when combined with frequent nursing or -LSB-...]
Galactogogues are foods, herbs, and medications that are purported to increase milk supply.
How much of a supply increase would you attribute to
the galactogogues in these recipes?