My 3-month-old breastfed baby is always hungry. My sister says I might not be making enough milk. She's suggesting that I take fenugreek supplements. Do they work and are they safe?

Although lactation consultants often recommend fenugreek supplements for nursing women with reduced milk volume, the CNRC cannot recommend this practice due to the lack of scientific evidence that they are effective. However, a number of research studies are currently investigating the effect of fenugreek on milk production, which could help clarify this issue in the near future.

Before reaching for a fenugreek supplement, consider working with a lactation consultant to be certain that low milk volume is the cause of your baby's behavior. Nursing problems can be caused by a number of factors, including breastfeeding technique.

Should you choose to try fenugreek, keep the following in mind:

Possible side effects:

• Always discuss any dietary supplement you plan to take with your physician first. Although fenugreek is considered one of the safer herbs on the market, without reports of serious side affects despite scientific trials designed to identify toxicities, some herbal supplements can affect the body's metabolism of prescription medications. Interactions between herbal supplements, and between supplements and food, are also possible.
  
  
• Fenugreek can cause nursing mothers and their infants to develop a noticeable "maple syrup" body odor. Although this odor is completely harmless when caused by ingesting fenugreek, it can raise concern if unexpected. This odor can also be confused with a similar smell that, when present in infant urine, signals a serious metabolic problem called Maple Syrup Urine disease.
  
  
• Allergy risk. Although rare, allergic reactions to fenugreek are possible.
  
  
• Stomach upset. Some mothers taking fenugreek have reported an increase in colic and stomach upset in their infants. High doses (more than 3 ounces of fenugreek seeds per day) can cause intestinal upset and nausea in adults.

Purity, Potency and Dosage:

• Fenugreek supplements, like all herbal preparations, are not currently regulated by the FDA. Commercially available preparations can vary significantly in purity and potency.
  
  
• Fenugreek supplements are usually in capsule form, containing about 600 milligrams of ground fenugreek seeds each. Lactation consultants generally recommend three capsules per day.
  

Cautions:

• Although generally regarded as safe, fenugreek should not be taken by pregnant women.
  

Related Links:

Read more about common breastfeeding problems and solutions.
View a picture of a fenugreek plant
Learn more about the use of fenugreek in alternative medicine from OnHealth.com