Community› The Bump Message Boards› Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
New Discussion

Anyone react badly to fenugreek? WDYD?

lite-brightlite-bright member
in Breastfeeding

I've been trying to increase my supply and the pump is not doing enough for me. (Pumping 3-5 times a day.) I also bumped up my intake of mother's milk tea from one to three cups a day, and that gave me diarrhea, so I stopped. 

I read in a few places that fenugreek can cause GI issues like that, particularly if you're allergic to it -- but I was really hoping it was one of the other herbs, and I'm getting desperate as far as supply. I started taking fenugreek pills yesterday, and unfortunately, things are already starting to, um, pick up. 

Any idea if it will increase my supply even with the GI issues? I'm holding onto a thin hope that maybe my body will adjust and I'll be able to keep taking it. I'm going to give it a few days and see how things go, but right now I'm not feeling optimistic.

I don't know what I'll do if this doesn't work. Pretty much all the herbal concoctions/tinctures have fenugreek in them and I've never heard that any of the other herbs are very effective on their own. I'd love to hear if anybody has any suggestions. 

DD2 got two good feeds last night, but she screamed and writhed through a third and it was obvious that she wasn't getting enough milk -- we had to dip into my tiny freezer stash, which won't last a week if we keep having to do that. I'm getting sick, and am totally stressed out from the sleep deprivation (1.5-2 hour stretches max, then screaming for two hours in between) and I feel like my supply is tanking. Those fussy feeds are getting more common, not less.

image

DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
Report Reply to Post

Re: Anyone react badly to fenugreek? WDYD?

  • bliss611bliss611 member

    Sorry - don't know about the fenugreek. I didn't like taking it because I would get lightheaded due to the drop in blood sugar.

    But if it cotinues to bother you, try black sesame seeds. Someone recommended those to me and they did help a bit.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • MelonieKMelonieK
    I had the same problem when I started taking fenugreek. My SIL is a lactation consultant and suggested taking blessed thistle in tandem with the fenugreek.  It counteracts the gassy side effect of the fenugreek.
    Report Reply
  • AMHFAMHF

    i take the fenugreek with the blessed thistle and haven't had too many problems - so maybe that helps (like the pp mentioned). 

     btw - my dd's name is elsa annmarie!  good name choice :)

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"