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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

anyone know if Fennel Tea and Porridge Oats increase breast milk production?

16 replies

Dalrymps · 30/11/2007 20:43

Hey there, had probs bf, switched to ff and then after a wek decided still wanted ds to have at least some bm, saw bf councillor, still can't latch ds on without pain so she gave me an electric pump to see if i can get my milk back that way then mix feed. Not getting a lot of milk at moment, just a few drops but am hopefull as have only tried a couple of times and had good milk supply before... Anyway! i heard that drinking fennel tea and eating porridge oats can increase milk production, does anyone know if this is true or just an old wives tale?

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madamez · 30/11/2007 20:46

I have heard that fennel tea is good, also fenugreek tablets (available from health food suppliers) are supposed to work.

I'm afraid neither one worked for me, but I was also advised that even a few drops is good for DC and the skin2skin closeness (ie your LO nuzzling your breast) helps them pick up immunities or something from your skin. Good luck with it and don't be too downhearted if your milk doesn't come back. I couldn't feed my DS and he is a thriving 3 year old now.

SenoraPostrophe · 30/11/2007 20:47

I think fenugreek is supposed to help - dunno about the porridge and the fennel.

But really, the only thing that increases milk production is being milked, as it were. it's more efficient with a baby, but you might be able to get somewhere just with the pump I guess. saying that, since you've had a week off, have you tried putting baby to the breast again? if you can bear it it really is the easiest and most sure-fire way to get your milk back. the pain does go away after a few days.

Dalrymps · 30/11/2007 20:54

yeah even though i had a week off i tried several times over 2 days with the help of the bf councillor but still painfull and all i achieved was sore cracked nips from taking ds off and on trying to get a pain free latch which i couldn't. i know that would be the best way to get my milk back but the pain is just too bad and ds gets all stressed from beig taken off and on when he's hungry so am trying it this way instead

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absandme · 30/11/2007 21:37

I was unable to latch dd for first 4-5wks so expressed but did it every 3 hours (sometimes 4 at night) and I pumped 15mins each side to stimulate as much as poss, even when milk finished coming out!

As for your cracked nips, they will ease but air time helps, don't put your bra back on straight away, you can still wear you t-shirt but no bra/pads for at least 10mins, a couple of hours if you can manage!

When dd finally was being bf I worried far too much about milk supply & my hv did check on fennel tea but it contains an oestrogen like substance which can reduce milk (aswell as increase it) but we both agreed it wasn't worth taking the risk!

Other mumsnetters have recommended something that sounds like domperi...something or other... maybe someone can help!!!

Are you latching ds at all, as it could be worth sitting through the toecurling pain to help stimulate milk & also to ensure latch isn't forgotton by either of you!

Good luck & well done for trying again! - sorry it's a long one!

Mossy · 30/11/2007 22:34

Fennel tea like all these galactagogues can work but doesn't always, and you have to drink an awful lot of it to have an effect.

Oats, fennel, fenugreek, aniseed... the list of herbal galactagogues is pretty long actually but looking at your situation it sounds like you might need professional help - like your BFC - as what you're essentially doing is trying to relactate unless I've read this wrong?

Relactation info from Kellymom.

Some things to look into or ask your BFC about (see if she thinks they are worth trying) are:

Supplemental nursing system. This is so you can still ensure your baby is getting fed, but all his sucking is at the breast, which in turn stimulates your milk supply.

Domperidone, also known as Motillium. This is an anti-sickness medicine which has the side effect - iirc - of increasing prolactin levels which in turn increase your milk supply.

Biological Nurturing, or self attachment. Worth looking at if your baby is under six weeks old; this can help your baby latch on... I have seen a baby that had really bad nipple confusion (lots of bottles and didn't want to suck at the breast as a result) latch on by herself and suck at the breast using this method.

It might also be worth looking into getting a really good pump; perhaps contact your local NCT branch to see if you can hire one that lets you pump both sides at the same time? Obviously your baby is the best stimulator of your supply but only if he is sucking effectively. Otherwise a good pump is better.

But do make sure you discuss all this with your BFC and see what she thinks as she will be very clued up I would have thought.

Good luck!

Dalrymps · 30/11/2007 22:57

Absand me - thanks for the advice, i'm trying to build up the courange to try ds on again, think i really need to concentrate on stimulating the milk suppl as much as poss, was good before i stopped so hopefully can get it back.
Mossy - Yeah i am kind of trying to relactate although my milk hasn't completely gone as it was only about 5 days i gave up for, it has almost gone though, i know i should be trying to latch ds on ocasionally to stimulate milk supplyy but i'm scared of the pain, it got so sore last time, i don't want to make myself so sore i can't even express... maybe i'll give it a go guess i'm just being a wimp! Thanks for the links, the biological nursing one is interesting

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Mossy · 01/12/2007 09:08

Dalrymps I've seen BN work on non-latching babies before; one thing you can do is actually take a warm bath with your ds, lean back and put him between your boobs. Apparently the warm water reminds him of being in the womb and triggers those feelings again... I'm a bit of a old cow but I have heard of it working...

And if he gets the latch right, it won't hurt so much.

I think you're doing such a brilliant job for even trying this, your ds is one lucky chappie!!

Dalrymps · 01/12/2007 14:35

thanks mossy, will keep trying put him to the breast today but he wouldn't stop on long cause there's not much milk there, didn't hurt too much though. will keep going...

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Mossy · 01/12/2007 18:15

Well you're doing wonderfully...

If you want to get some of the closeness of breastfeeding have you thought about babywearing btw?

naturopath · 01/12/2007 18:21

Tried both - not sure if they worked but worth a try! DS gained weight fine so might have done something.

NewBabyStillBelowBirthWeight · 01/12/2007 18:47

I tried fennel tea recently and on the first day doubled amount of milk pumped. This hasn´t continued however.. NOt sure if I´m just fdrinking less of it htough..

Dalrymps · 01/12/2007 23:07

Ah well am drinking it occasionaly anyway and had porridge for breakfast, might work, sure it'll do no harm . Mossy - whats babywearing?

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robinredbreast · 02/12/2007 00:13

yes i find oats help

Dalrymps · 02/12/2007 00:44

oh good will keep on with the oats then

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Mossy · 02/12/2007 05:38

Dalrymps babywearing is carrying your baby around in a sling so you always have your baby with you. Great for getting on with stuff round the house but also keeps you really close to your baby.

Have a look at the Mamatoto Project this has links to lots of babywearing resources.

Dalrymps · 02/12/2007 14:19

mossy - oh of course thats what it means - duh [blush, i had quite fancied the idea, might look in to it

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