What is a galactagogue? Do I need one?
...Herbal remedies for increasing milk supply

By Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC

A substance that increases milk supply is called a galactagogue. Some of the most commonly used herbal galactagogues are fenugreek, blessed thistle, and alfalfa. There are also several prescription medications that can increase milk supply.

Before you decide on an herbal supplement, consider your reasons for doing so.
Do you think that your milk supply is low? Why? Many moms think that they have a low milk supply even though their supply is just fine. Take a look at this information page on Increasing Low Milk Supply for more information on whether your supply is really low, and ways to increase your milk supply without herbs or medications. If you feel that your milk supply is truly low, then it will be very helpful to get in touch with a La Leche League Leader and/or a board certified lactation consultant for one-on-one help for your particular situation.

The average mother does not need galactagogues to increase or maintain supply.
Following are examples of situations when galactagogue use may be useful:

• Some working mothers use herbs to increase their pumping output, even though their supply is fine when baby nurses.
• Some mothers with a genuinely low milk supply use galactagogues in combination with increased nursing/pumping to increase supply.
• Adoptive moms may use galactagogues to increase the amount of milk they are able to provide for their babies.

The usual, non-herbal, non-medication methods for increasing milk supply are sufficient for most mothers. If these methods have not proven sufficient and you feel that a galactagogue is needed, remember that any galactagogue will be most effective in increasing milk supply when combined with an increased nursing frequency.

Oatmeal for increasing milk supply

By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC

Eating a bowl of oatmeal, if nothing else, is healthy for mom. At best, it may be a simple way to increase milk supply.

Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast each morning is a frequently heard recommendation for increasing milk supply. Although there is no scientific evidence regarding oatmeal and milk supply, oatmeal does seem to work for some.

Many working moms have noticed that on the days they eat oatmeal for breakfast, they can pump more milk than on the days they eat something else. In some countries, "traditional wisdom" recommends eating oatmeal as a way to increase milk supply. A number of lactation consultants recommend eating oatmeal as a way to increase supply.

Some possible explanations:

• Oatmeal is a good source of iron. It is known that maternal anemia / low iron levels can result in a decreased milk supply, so it makes sense that eating something high in iron might increase milk supply in some women.
  
• Oatmeal is a comfort food for many women. Anything that increases relaxation in mom can encourage let-down, and hence also influence milk supply.
  
• A use that some of the milk-increasing herbs share is that of decreasing cholesterol levels. Herbs used for both increasing milk production and decreasing cholesterol levels include fenugreek and alfalfa. Oat bran, which is in oatmeal, is also known to help lower cholesterol.