do you use supplements to increase your milk supply?

[smk84]

Hi, my ds is 9weeks and i am constantly feeling like i don't have enough milk in the evenings. he cluster feeds and tends to get very frustrated at different points in the evening. i am feeding him as much a he wants, but i would like to researh how i could help him out by taking supplements e.g fenugreek, but i am not sure if they are safe? also i have heard of people being prescribed domperidone, but i am not sure for what reason it gets prescribed? can anyone advise me on whether there are any side effects etc? if you take supplements. could you tell me why and the effects they have had? thank you (p. s i know frequent feeding is best way to boost my supply, but am doing that and would just like to find out more)

Cluster feeding in the evening is totally normal. Some women do report feeling like they have less milk. Milk chillum is materially lower in the evenings, but the fat content is higher then earlier in the day.

If your baby is having enough wet nappies and is gaining weight well then there is nothing wrong with you're supply and he is just showing normal newborn behaviour. This will settle down with time, just keep feeding.

Another point babies don't just wasn't to feed for milk, they want the closeness and comfort to. A lot of babies are fussy in the weening and feeding carmes them down and gives them the closeness they are seeking its not all about feeding.

Hi I have been taking Fenugreek for about two weeks now and it has made a big difference. Have also been having more porridge, sesame seeds and fennel tea as all of these apparently help boost your supply. I haven't had any side effects with the Fenugreek so far.

thank you both. migril i am used to cluster feeding but he has had 2 colds back to back and instead of gaining 6oz a week as normal he only gained 4 oz in 10 dayd and is now only on the 2ndcentile having been born on the 50th. would like to give him a helping hand to get back on track. fluffy thank you - would you mind telling me what made you decide to take it ?

I started taking Fenugreek because my supply had been low from quite early on (combination of poor latch, me feeling tense, nipple pain etc) and dd wasn't gaining weight. A midwife suggested supplementing with formula at night which probably affected supply too. Anyway was determined to increase my supply and cut down the formula so started feeding more often, pumping more regularly and taking the fenugreek. A friend recommended it to me. I also spoke to someone from La Leche League who suggested some foods that could boost supply( including oats, sesame seeds, chickpeas and others) and pointed me in the direction of a website called Low Milk Supply( can't remember exact name but you could google it). Sorry for any typos but typing with one hand! Good luck x