Experiences with Fenugreek - good, bad, ugly?

[Mica]

Hi.
I think my supply has dropped and I want to try to get it back up. Is fenugreek really effective? If I start taking it, how much and for how long? When can I expect it to start making a difference? Has anyone experienced unwanted side effects? (Side note - just this morning I was able to resolve a painful plugged duct(?)/engorgement. It was so painful that I couldn't get back to sleep last night after feeding LO. Will fenugreek cause engorgement? {sorry if stupid question}) Is it really necessary to check with my doctor before starting it? I've been drinking Mother's Milk tea, but I don't think it's doing anything. Should I take capsules of fenugreek? Any other supplements that would help?
Oh yeah, my LO is 7 weeks old, and we are combi feeding right now. Took him off the breast yesterday due to damaged nipples, and he's supposed to get checked for tongue tie on Thursday. Planning to keep pumping, and hopefully will have him back on the breast soon. Just want to get him as much of my milk as possible.
Sorry, 20 questions, but thanks in advance for your response.

 

[fieryphoenix]

Why do you think your supply dropped? Seven weeks is prime time for a growth spurt.

 

[Mica]

We've had a lot of bumps in the road with breastfeeding. Problems with latch and milk coming in... it's a long story, but basically it always ends up back at square one. :/
I had been pumping 8-10 times a day for about 4 weeks, but then I got LO back on the boob for a few days and I wasn't pumping very much at all. After a weight check, he had not gained enough, so the LC told me I should start pumping again. That's when I noticed the output was lower. It's around 2 oz per session. I know babies can draw more milk than a pump, but when we give him a bottle he takes about 4 oz. I just don't know if he can fill up on the breast. (He never pulls off himself, and only goes about 30-45 minutes between feedings.)
Has anyone taken fenugreek? Is it worth a try?

 

[babytots]

I used it with my eldest son as he was mix fed due to losing weight and decided to go back to ebf him. Fenugreek really helped boost my supply side effects I found was horrible tasting burps and you start to smell like syrup when you sweat. x

 

[Mica]

did you use capsules or tincture? how much? how long?

 

[Steph82]

I just started taking 610mg capsules last week. I take 2 capsules 3 times a day. I'm going from working 6 hours a day for the past 4 weeks to 9, so I need to pump an extra secession. With that being the case, I was worried about being able to pump enough for the following days feedings (I get around 6oz from both sides combined during the first pump, then another 3-4oz 3 hours later). I wa worried that the last pumping would result in even less. I won't know until tomorrow, but I def think my supply has increased a bit (boobs feel full sooner).
Only side effect here is that I smell likes maple syrup lol.

 

[Mica]

How'd it go, Steph?
Gosh, I wish I could pump 3-4 ounces in a session. Six would be a miracle! I'm coming up with about 2 ounces each time!
I'm going to try and get the tincture today. Really hoping it helps.

 

[Steph82]

I ended up with a total of 15oz for the three pumps... That's much more then I would have expected last week. Now, I'm not sure If this was because it was Monday and LO must nurse less then I pump, but my boobs were seriously engorged this morning. After pumping the three times today and feeding LO all evening, they feel drained. Fingers crossed, that they will feel as full again tomorrow... Then I will know for sure, if the fenugreek really worked.

 

[Steph82]

2oz is normal I believe? It also depends on what typ of pump you are using. Try the fenugreek and I believe there is a tea mixture that is also recommended... It can't hurt! I will keep you updates if it keeps working for me.
How often do you pump? Could you add in more pumping time? Do you feed at night? And have you tried to pump the other side while feeding from the first?

Edit: sorry, I just re read your original post! I would keep pumping. Being engorged is a sign that your still producing a lot of milk, but not getting it out soon enough.

 

[hopingforit]

I just started taking it yesterday. I'm making 36-38oz a day without it. I'm hoping it brings it up enough that I don't have to give my babies any formula.

 

[MissCurly]

i bought fenugreek from a local shop, and use about a tablespoon and add it to some water, and simmer in pan for a bit- kinda like tea.

I make up about two litres, so i drink this during the day. Oh this doesnt taste great and it isnt as potent as taking capsules, but I do this when i feel like my supply could do with a boost, and take it for a few days.
(I also add some dill seeds to make it taste better).

 

[Steph82]

Update: after pumping at work today, I conclude not much increase in my supply (yet). Pumped 5oz, then 4oz, then 4oz. Seems like that was the norm for me before. I will continue to take it though since I don't think it can hurt.

 

[Mica]

I got the capsules yesterday afternoon and took them with food twice. My breasts felt fuller when I woke up to pump in the middle of the night and today. (Yesterday they felt so empty and I was hardly getting any milk when I pumped.) I don't know if it would really work that fast, but glad I'm making more milk than yesterday. Hope it just keeps going up!

 

[LuluSS]

I am going to start taking fenugreek this weekend. I used to always pump about 16 ounces a day at work (with 3 pumping sessions). I wanted to start pumping 18-20 ounces so I increased to 4 pumps/day. You would think that would help my supply but the past week it has decreased! I used to get about 6-7 ounces in my first pump, then 4-5 ounces with the pumps after that. Last week I was only getting 5-5.5 ounces in my first pump and only 3.5-4 ounces in my subsequent pumping sessions. Today, I only got 4.5 oucnes my first pump! GRRR. DS also nurses frequently at night. I thought at this point (LO is six months old) BM is on a supply/demand system. So you would think if anything I would have an oversupply.

Please keep us updated on the Fenugreek. I want to know if it actually does help!

 

[Mica]

4 ounces? 5 ounces? 6 ounces?! y'all are giving me milk envy!

 

[LuluSS]

4 ounces? 5 ounces? 6 ounces?! y'all are giving me milk envy!

lol. Yeah, it does seem like a lot. But my LO drinks a lot!

 

[Care76]

We had similar problems when we started BF and my son was tongue tied and even though it was released in the hospital it wasn't done far enough. You really need to find a doctor that is very experienced in tongue ties as posterior ties are very difficult to diagnose. I know that may not be your issue, but it is best to be certain. We had a pedi tell us it wouldn't cause feeding problems and my son just had colic, and he suffered by being hungery all the time for the first three months until I drove further to see somebody that was very experienced.

I took fenugreek and I stopped taking it because my baby was screaming all the time so I thought it gave him gas (it didn't but the doctors kept telling me I didn't have supply issues like I thought so we thought it was gas). Turns out I still had supply issues and I had to take domperidone. But now I am trying to wean down from the dom and am taking fenugreek again and I have to take 4 capsules 3 times a day for it to be effective. My LC said this was fine and recommended this amount. If you don't notice a sweet smell coming out your pores you aren't taking enough.

Good luck!

 

[Steph82]

Mica, I read somewhere it takes 24 to 72 hours to take effect. Keep us updated!!

 

[MissCurly]

As for the smell- yup i agree with this. I could smell a 'curry' type of smell- wish it was a sweet maple smell i was getting!

But husband, nor anyone else complained so it cant have been too bad.

 

[ARuppe716]

I saw an increase while taking it and drinking the tea but it made me feel sick to my stomach and after a weekend of nausea and occasional puking I stopped