Galactagogues

What are Galactagogues?

If you think you have a low breast milk supply, first read our page on how breast milk production works …you might be able to increase breast milk supply without using a galactogue.

Before the use of galactagogues, mom can use other corrective measures that include latching on correctly , breast massage , breastfeeding diet and breastfeeding on demand.

Read our low milk supply page for reasons why some moms have a low supply and other things that can be done for increasing breastmilk supply.

There are lactation herbs and medications that are used to increase lactation or stimulate milk production in a lactating mother. It is mostly used for increasing breast milk supply, but is sometimes used to for induced lactation by those mothers who want to breastfeed their adopted babies.

When is a galactagogue necessary

- Needed when mom has a very low milk supply and is using Galactagogues and pumping to produce more breast milk

- Used if mom is working and breastfeeding and trying to keep up her milk supply and for extra milk expressed needed for baby during the day when mom isn’t around.

- Inducing lactation ~ Used when a mother has adopted a baby and wants to induce lactation for breastfeeding.

- Mom has a premature infant that is incapable of breastfeeding at the moment – mom will need to pump and take Galactagogues until baby is strong enough to breastfeed

Always remember that a lactation supplement is most effective if mom is maintaining frequent breast stimulation in the form of preferably breastfeeding or if this is not possible…pumping.

* Fenugreek

~ Read more on increasing breast milk supply with fenugreek

* Blessed thistle

~ Three capsules three times per day.

~ May cause some digestive changes

* Alfalfa

~ Four capsules three times a day. Very mild and can be taken with another galactogue.

~ May cause some digestive changes

* Brewers yeast as a galactagogue

~ Has very few side-effects (should not be used if mom has a recurrent yeast problem or yeast infection)

~ Rich in Vitamin B, amino acids, minerals and iron.

~ Dosage: 3-5 capsules daily

* Fennel

~ May cause some digestive changes

~ Not only will it increase milk production, but also decreases colic in baby through moms breast milk.

* Goats rue

~ Used to make a tea (1tsp dried leaves infused in 1 cup boiling water for 20 minutes taken twice daily)

~ Goats rue can increase breast milk production and increase the milk flow (let down)

~ Side-effects include sweating, increased urination and sometimes a drop in blood sugar levels.

* Hops (Humulus lupulus)

~ Best used fresh for increasing milk supply

~ Helps regulate hormonal productions which helps increase milk supply

* Mothers milk tea

~ Recipe:

* Milk thistle

* Nettle leaf or capsules

~(take two capsules three times a day)

~ This is another mild galactogue and will be more effective taken with other herbal galactagogues.

* Shatavari

* Flax

* Soapwort

* Marshmallow (althaea) root

~ This galactogue should be used with the other breast milk herbs to improve their effectiveness.

* Red raspberry leaf

* Burdock

* Chaste Berry

Combining two or three of the above-mentioned natural herbal galactagogue will work better than just using one.

- Carrot seeds, beet and yam

- Beet leaves, spinach, chicory and other dark green leafy vegetables

- Plain Oats and oat straw capsules or liquid extract.

- Raw nuts, flaxseed oil and sesame oil.

- Water, herbal root-beers, chicory coffee and barley water.

- Garlic ~ It has been found that if mom eats a lot of garlic it gives the breast milk a nicer taste which will increase the time baby spends on the breast therefore increasing breast milk production.

- Ginger (should not be taken with any other medication)

- Dill ~ Can be used in tea or sprinkled on food. (two tsp of dill seed daily)

- Sesame seed

Increase breast milk supply with Galactogue drugs

Metoclopramide (Maxolon, Pramin, Reglan, Maxeran)

- Reglan for breast milk is the most common one used.

- Side-effects on mom sometimes include: Tiredness, anxiety, cramps on stomach and diarrhea.

- Can increase breast milk production by 40%

- No documented side-effects on baby

Domperidone for breastfeeding (Motilium)

- Increases prolactin levels therefore increasing breastmilk production.

- Domperidone side effects ~ Very little side-effects found

- Is usually only needed for a short period of time

- You can buy domperidone online or over the counter…a doctor’s prescription is not needed. Don’t go for cheap domperidone…make sure the supplier is viable.

Chlorpromazine

- Used in conjunction with metoclopramide and methyldopa

Oxytocin

- Can be taken orally as a spray

- Helps with milk let down (milk ejection reflex) and producing breast milk

Sulpiride

- Found in breast milk, but with no noticeable side-effects.

- Not available in some countries

Other pages on "breastfeeding problems" in connection with galactagogues

- Stimulating lactation for adoption

- Breastfeeding herbs

- Other breastfeeding concerns (sitemap)

- Fenugreek and breast milk production

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