Re: Breastfeeding information for ANY new mom-to-be...

Fenugreek probably has little effect on milk supply until a mother takes large amounts of (about three capsules, three times per day, but this varies from pill-to-pill) and her milk and urine begin to smell like maple syrup, though no clinical trials have been conducted to prove or disprove this relationship. When a mother takes large quantities of fenugreek, the baby begins to smell like maple syrup too, and some babies have been misdiagnosed as having "maple syrup urine disease," a serious metabolic disorder. Another danger associated with fenugreek is that the herb is related to peanuts, the food most likely to cause an allergy. The possibility of an allergic reaction in a baby is quite high, and many cases of colic, stomach upset, and diarrhea have been reported among babies whose mothers take fenugreek.

My own experience counseling women to use fenugreek to enhance milk production has been mixed. Many mothers at our lactation center report that fenugreek had no effect on their milk supply, while others are quite laudatory about its effect on the amount of milk they produce.

Another popular herb to enhance milk production is Blessed Thistle, an herb first described by the monks in the Middle Ages as a cure for smallpox. Today, it is most commonly used in herbal medicine as a contraceptive and to treat infections or fever. There is no scientific evidence to support that Blessed Thistle stimulates milk production, nor are there studies that report a safe dosage of this herb. In modest amounts, however, it is probably safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), a licorice flavored herb that has been used since the Middle Ages, also has gained a reputation for promoting lactation. Although there is no scientific evidence that fennel increases milk production, it is safe for breastfeeding women when used in small amounts. Fennel is commonly used to season fish and vegetable dishes. Herbalists still recommend a tea made from crushed fennel seeds (fruits) as a remedy for stomachache and cramps, and some people use fennel to relieve colic and gas. Historically, fennel was thought to have appetite-suppressing effects, though this has not been proven.

Although small amounts of fennel are safe when the seeds or fruits from the fennel plant are used, oil from the fennel plant should be avoided. This volatile oil is toxic and can cause seizures and respiratory problems in doses as small as 1 to 5 milliliters (less than 1 teaspoon). Tweet