What is a Galactagogue, And how do it Increase your Milk Supply ...

What is a Galactagogue, And how do it Increase your Milk Supply
Breastfeeding is beneficial to both mother and baby, and while having a baby is a joyous occasion; the ability to bond with involves breastfeeding. However, when the mammary glands don’t produce enough milk for your baby, it can be worrisome for a lot of moms.
Am I producing enough milk? Is my baby getting enough milk, or sometimes the common, why am I not producing sufficient breast milk for my baby, and what can I do about it?
Galactagogues
Milk production is a natural calculated cycle whereby the body produces just enough milk as a baby consumes. Babies that suckling less should have mothers that produce less milk and vice versa, but alas, that is not the case.
Though nature is perfect, it does need some help to boost its impact on our life. Galactagogues have been in existence is the beginning of childbearing, while herbal galactagogues have been employed for ages in different cultures to boost breast milk production, there has been no substantial evidence from the science world exactly how this is said to improve lactation in nursing mothers.
Galactagogues in history
Malt Beer
Yes, beer is said to be an anti galactagogue, but in his book Infant Feeding and its influence on life (1869), Charles Routh, a British ob-gyn wrote about beer been a good galactagogue which totally goes against what we knew.
But before his study became public our grandmothers added a bit of alcohol in drinks for nursing mothers to boost breast milk. Charles, however, suggested that nursing mothers should be given one ounce of beer with an equal quantity of cream every few hours as an effective galactagogue.
In Nigeria, some galactagogues used are fermented millet, corn or sorghum blended with ginger, and made like custard, which was administered to the nursing mother. Although there is no record on how it boosts breast milk production, a warm glass in the morning and evenings are helping women feed their babies full. Like Charles Routh, African nursing mothers are also consuming a local drink called palm wine to help the lactating mother produce more breast milk for their babies.
Other cultures placed the nursing mother on a 40 days special diet to boost breast milk supply while some tribes in Africa make spicy soups with local herbs to increase milk supply. Countries like Bangladesh restrict giving water to the mother for the first few days after childbirth because they believed that water makes the women swell, but Pakistanis add fenugreek seeds to milk for the nursing mother to drink for milk supply.
Herbal Galactagogues
There are numerous herbs and spices used by mothers across the globe. They are ingested as leaves, flowers, roots, teas, soups, or seeds during lactation to improve milk supply. While some of these galactagogues don’t have scientifical evidence, their effectiveness in boosting milk production has landed them on this list.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is the oldest known spice asides from ginger and garlic, which are also acclaimed galactagogues and aid lactating mothers increase milk supply. Fenugreek is the main spice in Middle Eastern dishes and a well-known spice for lactating mothers.
Umbel Seeds
Umbel seeds are a small cluster of flowers with a tiny stem attached to a larger stem used in France as a galactagogue; they are a combination of anise, caraway, cumin, dill, lovage, and fennel which is believed to have an affinity for breast. Although no scientific support, experience has shown that the combination when consumed does increase milk supply and let-down in lactating mothers.
Alfafa
Lactating cows that feed on Alfafa had increase milk supply for their young. Alfafa plays well into galactagogues because of its stimulating factor and estrogen property that helps increase the volume of breast tissue and boosting milk supply on lactating mothers. The herb is also rich in fiber and healthy antioxidants that lower cholesterol and aid digestion.
Blessed Thistle
One reported effect of blessed thistle is that it can boost breast milk production in lactating mothers. It’s thought to work by making more of the milk-producing hormone prolactin. According to a 2016 review, blessed thistle is commonly used as an herbal galactagogue.
And if we’re talking about herbs, look no further than our mother’s milk tea. It contains blessed thistle and fenugreek, anise, and a long list of lactating herbs to get you started off right. Check it out here.
Galactagogues Medication
Many prescription drugs are helping lactating mothers with the apparent problems of milk production, but two stands out among them – domperidone and Metoclopramide.
Domperidone has been on the market since 1978. Although never approved by the FDA citing concern of overuse in lactating mothers, it is a successful galactagogue in Canada. It has also undergone several and extensive research which has proven that domperidone is effective in increasing milk supply. Metoclopramide is another galactagogue for lactating mothers, though it hasn’t undergone the extensive research as domperidone, it is a powerful galactagogue. However, women who have used it complained of some side effects.
Regardless of all the various galactagogues helping lactating mothers, there is yet to be a confirmative study that aims to describe the reason behind low milk supply in women, nor is their one that discredits the use of herbal/prescribed galactagogues in lactating mothers. However, several reports and herbalists do emphasize the fact that these galactagogues should be taken in small portions to avoid any adverse side effects.
Believe it or not galactagogues are part of our diet. And the foods we eat everyday plays a role in milk supply.
Here’s a list:
1. Oatmeal – has properties that lower cholesterol, maintain a healthy blood pressure and help with lactation
4. Fenugreek Seeds - Chew on the sprouted seeds along with a glass of milk to prevent post-delivery constipation.
5. Papayas – commonly used in Asia as a galactagogue. It contains enzymes and phytochemical that enhance breast tissue to improve lactation. Papaya is a natural sedative that helps you relax and at the same time help with milk let down.
6. Asparagus - high in fiber, folic acid and contains phytoestrogens. The hormonal effect of phytoestrogens aid in milk production. It also contains tryptophan an essential amino acid which stimulates prolactin.
7. Brown Rice - is unprocessed rice with the outermost hull removed. It’s a complex carb which gives mom the energy for breastfeeding. It has hormone stimulant that boost lactation. Brown rice has magnesium, niacin, thiamin and vitamin b6.
8. Carrots – contain phytoestrogens and are high in beta-carotene. Carrots boost the quality of your milk supply. Carrot juice, carrot in your soup or as a snack had great benefits.
9. Water & 100% Juices - It prevents you from dehydration and replaces fluid lost during lactation. Have a glass of water when you are thirsty or even before you begin to nurse your baby.
10. Basil Leaves - Basil leaves have a calming effect which is important while lactating. It boosts your little one’s immunity levels. Add a few basil sprigs in your tea. Leave the sprigs for a while in hot water. Have this water first thing in the morning and experience the effect.
11. Chickpea - Chickpea is a protein snack and lactation booster for nursing mommies. It is a rich source of calcium, B-complex vitamins and fiber
12. Sweet Potato – a major source of potassium. It has energy producing carbs and contains vitamin B & C.
13. Legumes – lentil, lima beans, green beans are all complete protein and make a perfect snack for nursing moms.
14. Dill Leaves - look like a bunch of fine, dark green, silky hair. They have a distinct odor and are believed to boost milk supply. They have a high fiber content and Vitamin K. These helps to replenish the blood loss that happens during deliver
15. Apricots - Dried apricots have certain chemicals which balance out the hormone levels in your body. Apricots are rich in calcium and fiber and help boost lactation, toss some in your oatmeal.
Things to Avoid:
Foods such as thyme, parsley and peppermint are also said to affect your milk production adversely. If you are a vegan, consult a nutritionist skilled in mother/baby nutrition care. As
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