how much fenugreek?

[gorge2003]

I just bought 100 610mg capsules of fenugreek...trying to re-start breastfeeding.

10 week old dd refused to feed from 4 weeks old, want to see if i can boost my supply (thats why she stopped) and try and feed her again...is 6 weeks too long a break? have been trying for 6 weeks to boost supply by latching her on 6-8 times a day with no affect.

doc wont give me domperidone so thought i would try fenugreek...thing is tub says 3 capsules a day online it says 6-12 a day...how many do i take and how long til i notice an improvement?

and will it work?

Hi
I did take fenugreek. I think at first 9 capsules a day (of the Holland and Barret stuff).

It did really help, although I'd never actually stopped altogether. You'll have to ask someone more knowledgable than me about that.

What I'd read was that you had to take enough that you smelt of it. And I certainly did! Absolutely reeked!!

The only thing I'd say is that when I took loads, it did seem to give DS quite bad wind. For that reason, I started cutting it down as soon as I felt I'd boosted my supply. Ended up taking 3 a day....

good luck, and hope it all goes well

I took at least 6 (holland and barrett) and was advised by a lactation consultant to up the dose to 9 a day if it wasn't working. Hope this helps.

milk hasnt completely gone but not enough to feed or express, i can get a few drops out at a time, seem to do better hand expressing and cant get a few mls....so shall i start with 9 a day then reduce if my milk increases...its also the holland and barrett stuff

I took 4 capsules before meals (so 50 3 times a day). This was the Holland & Barrett ones.

It took 2 days to take effect in that time I went from a DD to an F and was able to almost completely ebf. DD1 was off bottles within a week even though she was mainly bottle fed formula with some expressed milk and a little direct bfeeding for 7 weeks.

I STANK of maple syrup as did DD1 but that is when you know it's working!

Here is a Kellymom link that shows the dosage levels for fenugreek and also has the contra-indication/drug interactions. I have asthma but as the powder is in a capsule and the contra-indication is to do with inhaling the powder
I felt safe ignoring that one .

If your DC isn't latching on, you need to be pumping at least 8 times a day including once overnight. Kellymom has yet more good advice on relactating here

had your milk practically gone before u started the fenugreek truth? mine was just a few drops at a time, boobs feel a little heavier this evening so im hoping its working, tried to express this morning and only a few drops so gonna try again in a bit after a nice hot bath!

Mine was really quite low right from the start even with pumping every two hours using a Medela Symphony (hospital grade pump hired from NCT).

Which pump are you using? I found I couldn't even get anything out with a Tommee Tippee one, a fair amount with a Medela Lactina (about 5-15mls every 2 hours on days 4-6 [milk came in on day 5])and about 15-30mls every two hours with Symphony pre-fenugreek but after could get 90mls+.

Also after your bath [lucky thing emoticon] try pumping through 2 letdowns and continue for a few minutes after milk stops flowing to really stimulate supply.

Up to 12 a day. It's kak though. Why wouldn't your GP give you domperidone?

he said it doesn't work when everything i have read on here and other websites suggests it does. I have an appointment with my proper gp next tuesday so gonna beg her cos its really getting me down cos wanna re-start so much, im very prone to depression and dont want this to tip the barrell.

sweet im using avent isis one or tommee tippee closer to nature, find avent one better.

im being stupid i think but letdown? what is it? have never managed to work out what it is.

i manage to get maybe 3 drops when i express then it stops, i keep going for a few minutes though. She wnt latch on for very long at all atm cos there isnt much there at all but just a few sucks helps right?

i think im being too hopeful thinking i might get the supply back but after fenugreek and if i manage to get domperidone i know there isnt much else i can try.

tried without fenugreek for 3 weeks with latching her and expressing 6-8 times a day, managed to get it going a little bit then it disappeared again! this is my last chance i think!

I've never tried fenugreek but drank fennel tea when I thought DD wanted more than I had to offer and I'm sure that made a difference. Its also supposed to help with their wind so might be good with the fenugreek.
Good luck and well done for sticking with it so long

It does work when combined with stimulation from pump or baby. IMO he's being stingy - doen't want to cough up for something with no endpoint benefit to the surgery. Push for it to the extent you are able. People vary inthe extent to which they can challenge Gps and hte like - I talk as a doctor myself. They are there to 'serve' you!

Domperidone does work, you might need to take it in far higher doses than usually used and your GP may know next to nothing about BFing, nevermind relactation (I am saying this as a GP with next to no knowledge about BF until I was struggling myself ; I am now of course a font of wisdom and information ).
Here is more information about Domperidone and its use in lactation
It is not a cure all, but can help.
It might be worth taking that printout to your GP? If he is amenable to being educated ?

Have nothing to add about Fenugreek, take it until you reek .

HTH a bit.

Letdown is when the milk comes out 'squirting' rather than dripping out. You may feel a tingling or sensation of warmth or nothing (I don't feel anything with letdowns).

If you can get to a breast feeding group (NHS support group/La Leche League/NCT/local) so you can get some real life help.

Another thing that helps with my supply is oats, either oatmeal and raisin cookies or Nature Valley Granola bars. Some of those and I notice a definite increase in supply but it is only a temporary booster unless I have them each day .

Don't forget - while there's milk there's hope.
Good luck and good lactating.

I am sure that someone told me that you can get Domperidone over the counter in the UK, without a prescription, may be completely wrong on this!

You can get it over the counter but not if you admit it's for lactation as it is not licensed for this use.
Also if you are taking 30-40mg 3x daily it would be very expensive to buy.
Hope you can find a sympathetic GP.