New (and new again) nursing moms are often concerned about their breastmilk supply. Lactation supplements and lactation herbs like galactagogues can help increase a mother’s breastmilk supply naturally and safely, giving her baby the best nutrients possible as well as giving mom the peace of mind. There are several different kinds of lactation supplements and galactagogues that can help you increase your supply, and this complete guide will help you determine which ones are the best fit for you and your baby.
Read More: Boost Your Supply at Breakfast: Breastfeeding Granola Bars
14 Galactagogues & Lactation Supplements to Help Boost Your Supply
Goat’s Rue
Goat’s Rue has been used for centuries to help increase a mother’s milk supply. With its origins coming from Europe, women have been using Goat’s Rue to help stimulate milk production and begin the flow of breast milk. It helps to stimulate the mammary glands to contract the cells around the nipple and allow milk to flow out. It also helps with let-down. Goat’s Rue is also used to stimulate the growth of breast tissue, so it may be helpful for women who wish to breastfeed after breast surgery, and those who plan to breastfeed an adopted child. Don’t not consume fresh Goat’s Rue– it should only be taken in dry tea leaf or capsule form.
Other Uses: Goat’s Rue is also used to lower blood sugar levels, as a diuretic, and more recently, in cancer treatments.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules, 4 times per day
Fenugreek
One of the more popular lactation supplements and galactagogues, fenugreek is often used to help increase the production of breast milk in mother’s who are not producing enough to meet the needs of their baby. It also helps to facilitate the let-down process and improves your baby’s digestion. However, you should not take this supplement if you are pregnant.
Other Uses: Fenugreek is also used to treat skin conditions, inflammation, blood sugar levels, and diabetes.
Dosage: 2 capsules, 3 times per day with meals. Do not take while pregnant.
Blessed Thistle
Blessed Thistle has been used to increase breast milk supply and promote healthy lactation in mothers for centuries. It helps to increase the prolactin levels in mothers so that they have an increase in supply and breast milk flow when their baby nurses. It can be used in conjunction with other supplements to create a well-rounded supply and flow of breast milk for your baby.
Other Uses: Blessed Thistle also helps with indigestion, gas, constipation, skin wounds, and coughs.
Dosage: 2 capsules 3 times per day, with meals. Do not take while pregnant.
Shatavari
Shatavari is a member of the asparagus family and has been known to help balance a mother’s hormones levels. A new mother’s hormones can be unbalanced during the early postpartum days, but those imbalances can remain in play as she continues her nursing journey. Shatavari helps to balance this system all while helping to increase breast milk production, maintain healthy estrogen levels, and provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Other Uses: Shatavari may also help with cough relief, depression, and kidney stones. It also has several antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Dosage: 1 capsule 4 times daily. Do not take while pregnant.
Malunggay
Malunggay originates from India, Africa, and the Philippines and has been used for centuries for its vast medicinal purposes. For nursing mothers, it is often used to help increase breast milk production. It is also used to help with nutritional issues for both nursing mothers and infants who are malnourished or not getting the proper vitamins and minerals they need from their diet. It is a “superfood” that helps alleviate many dietary and medical ailments for nursing mothers, babies, and others.
Other Uses: Malunggay is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant that is known to have additional uses such as skin ailments, diabetes, hypertension, constipation and indigestion, and asthma.
Dosage: 1 capsule 4 times per day. Do not take while pregnant.
Nursing and Lactation Tea
Nursing and lactation teas are a great way to get the supplements you need to help increase breast milk production and breast milk flow in a simple, drinkable solution. They often contain supplements like fennel, fenugreek, blessed thistle, and chamomile to help increase your breast milk supply as well as alleviate gas in your nursing baby.
Dosage: Steep 1 tablespoon of the tea leaves in hot water for 4 to 6 minutes. Two to three cups daily will help increase your supply. Do not drink while pregnant.
Nursing and Lactation Vitamins
Nursing and lactation vitamins are another great way to get your daily dose of breast milk increasing galactagogues without taking several different pills. These nursing and lactation vitamins contain fennel, fenugreek, marshmallow root, and blessed thistle to help increase breast milk production and breast milk flow, as well as maintain healthy breast tissue and balance female hormones.
Dosage: 1 capsule two times daily in between meals. Do not take while pregnant.
Read More: For answers to all of your breastfeeding questions check out our Breastfeeding Journeys section.
Prenatal & Postnatal Vitamins
Prental vitamins are crucial to the proper development of your baby as well as a mother’s changing body throughout pregnancy. There are many different options available to new moms-to-be, but with prenatal vitamins from Mama’s Select you are able to find the right ones to fit your needs and your lifestyle.
Prenatal Plus
Prenatal Plus is a specially formulated multi-vitamin designed to give pregnant women the vitamins and minerals that are needed throughout pregnancy. The concentrated formula contains vitamins A, C, D, E, methylfolate, calcium, iron, B-6, and B-12 to ensure that mom and baby are getting everything they need to continue with a healthy and safe pregnancy.
Dosage: Take one capsule daily with a meal.
Prenatal + DHA
A prenatal multivitamin is key to a healthy pregnancy, but the addition of DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids helps with the proper eye and brain development of your growing baby. Taking this in addition to the Prenatal Plus will give moms-to-be a well-rounded regimen of vitamins and minerals to make for the healthiest pregnancy possible.
Dosage: Take one capsule daily with a meal.
Probiotics
Pregnancy can bring about digestive issues in many women such as constipation and heart burn. Promoting a healthy gut during pregnancy can be helpful to both mom and baby as it can help prevent things like newborn health diseases, premature labor, and complications at birth. It also helps to boost a mom’s immune system and helps develop healthy intestinal flora which can be beneficial for birth and for breastfeeding after birth.
Dosage: 1 capsule per day with a meal.
Postnatal Vitamins
After your baby is born, both you and baby need specific vitamins and minerals to maintain the health and wellness you experienced throughout your pregnancy. The following vitamins and supplements help to promote overall wellness so you can continue to grow and thrive to the best of both of your abilities.
Postnatal Plus
These postnatal vitamins are specially formulated to help give you all the vitamins and minerals you need to continue a healthy lifestyle after birth. The combination of vitamins A, C, D, E, calcium, iron, zinc, folate, and B-vitamins will help to reduce fatigue, increase energy, and helps with lactation support. Postnatal vitamins also provide additional vitamins and minerals to your baby via breastmilk.
Dosage: 1 capsule per day taken with a meal.
Infant Multivitamin
After your baby is born, and once they start weaning from breastmilk, it is important to supplement their diet with important vitamins and minerals that they might not otherwise be getting. This powdered formula from Mama’s Select offers a tasteless, one-scoop option that can be easily added to your baby’s solid foods, water, or breastmilk. It contains important vitamins and minerals such as:
- Vitamins A, C, D, E, K-1, B-6, B-12
- Folate
- Biotin
- Iron
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
Dosage: One scoop per day dissolved into a liquid.
Infant Probiotics
Probiotics aren’t just for mom. These healthy gut bacteria can create a healthy and comfortable belly for your little one, helping with gas, colic, acid reflux, and more. They increase intestinal flora and create more regular bowel movements so your baby’s sensitive belly doesn’t ache. Further, if your little one is in daycare, ward off all the nasty germs with a quality probiotic.
Dosage: One scoop per day, dissolved into a liquid.
Gummy Vitamins for Kids
As your child gets older, you can maintain their health and wellness with specially formulated gummy multivitamins. Lil Gummies from Mama’s Select make both kids and moms happy because they are made without preservatives, dyes, or additives. They also contain all of your child’s daily vitamins and minerals including choline, biotin, calcium, and iron.
Dosage: 2 gummies per day.
Galactagogues and lactation supplements are key to a healthy and fulfilling breastfeeding journey. Even if you aren’t worried about your breast milk supply or breast milk flow, many of these lactation supplements have additional benefits that can help keep your postpartum hormones balanced or provide key vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories. Taking care of yourself means taking care of your baby, and galactagogues and lactation supplements like the options available from Mama’s Select can help to do just that.
Mama’s Select is committed to providing high quality galactagogues and lactation supplements to all nursing mothers. Their products are organic and non-GMO certified, using only the highest quality ingredients. They also have things like probiotics, prenatal supplements, and multi-vitamins for both you and your baby as you both continue on through your breastfeeding journey.
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