Breastfeeding + Fenugreek

As a lactation consultant, one of the things I’m asked multiple times a day is “What foods do I eat while nursing to increase my milk supply?”. Breastfeeding mothers are always consciously wondering if they are “making enough” milk whether exclusively breastfeeding, or pumping.

Other than good old-fashioned supply and demand (the more you empty your breasts, the more milk you make) many health care professionals suggest Fenugreek. There is some confusing advice online, and among mom groups about fenugreek while breastfeeding, so let’s break it down.

Fenugreek works by stimulating hormone precursors thus making more milk. Fenugreek is categorized as “GRAS” by the FDA, which means “generally recognized as safe”. Fenugreek is one of the most used galactagogues (fancy word for supplements used to increase milk supply) across the world and has been used for centuries.

I frequently hear “I already have fenugreek in my diet” or “I tried it for a time”. Just like taking the proper amount of any other medication is important for effectiveness, it also applies here. It is imperative to have the proper dosage to properly increase your breastmilk. Taking 2 capsules (580-610 mg) three times a day is the typical recommendation. Many women see a boost in their supply within 1-3 days after starting Fenugreek. Remember to always work alongside a lactation consultant for the best results!

***Check here for side effects, and a list of women who cannot take fenugreek.
*As always, please consult with your care provider prior to starting any medication or supplement.

Citations:

Reena Ravi, Jasmine Joseph,
Effect of fenugreek on breast milk production and weight gain among Infants in the first week of life,
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health,
Volume 8, Issue 3,
2020,
Pages 656-660,
ISSN 2213-3984,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2019.12.021.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213398420300051)

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Fenugreek. [Updated 2024 May 15]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501779/

Kiss, Rita, Pesti-Asbóth, Georgina, Szarvas, Mária Magdolna, Stündl, László, Cziáky, Zoltán, Hegedűs, Csaba, Kovács, Diána, Badale, Andrea, Máthé, Endre, Szilvássy, Zoltán, Remenyik, Judit, Diosgenin and Its Fenugreek Based Biological Matrix Affect Insulin Resistance and Anabolic Hormones in a Rat Based Insulin Resistance Model, BioMed Research International, 2019, 7213913, 13 pages, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7213913

Emtiazy M, Oveidzadeh L, Habibi M, Molaeipour L, Talei D, Jafari Z, Parvin M, Kamalinejad M. Investigating the effectiveness of the Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) seeds in mild asthma: a randomized controlled trial. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018 May 2;14:19. doi: 10.1186/s13223-018-0238-9. PMID: 29743896; PMCID: PMC5930943.

Khan TM, Wu DB, Dolzhenko AV. Effectiveness of fenugreek as a galactagogue: A network meta-analysis. Phytother Res. 2018 Mar;32(3):402-412. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5972. Epub 2017 Nov 30. PMID: 29193352.

https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/maple-syrup-urine-disease-msud