Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Lenore or anybody? Many ?????

Hi Lenore,

I know I could email you privately about my questions but I thought I would post them here since others may have the same questions as I. Here goes:

I've been on the Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle for 2 days and am having diarrea and stomach cramps. Is it possible that one of the herbs is the cause? What can I do or do you expect the intestinal distress to subside?

I hate sticky yucky oatmeal. Blegch! But I love oatmeal cookies. Will home made oatmeal cookies be a suitable substitute? Are there any other substitutes for the grey stuff?

I've also been pumping since Wednesday but have only seen clear, not even drops, just dots on the end of my nipple. I know everyone is always concerned at this stage and I am no exception! Just wondering when I can expect to see some white drops and drips and finally spray?

Thanks in advance for any answers!

Vanessa

It's likely the Fenugreek that's upsetting your tummy. It does that to some people. Try lowering the dosage or skipping it and see if it improves.

Oatmeal cookies can help, but you don't eat as much oatmeal as in a bowl or cereal because it's usually just a little oatmeal added to alot of flour. And you're getting tons of extra junk like sugar and stuff. You can add it to meatloaf, meatballs, etc. I have a recipe for chewy oatmeal squares that's a little better than cookies because the base is all oatmeal, not flour.

The droplets you're seeing are normal and until you can collect them, rubbing the milk into your nipples is good for them and doesn't waste it. It took me about a week from seeing droplets to being able to collect drops and then it increased more quickly from there.

Kerri

Kerri , can you post the recipe for oatmeal squares, please? I would love to make some.

Chewy Oatmeal Squares

3/4 cup butter
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup corn syrup / golden syrup / honey / maple syrup, etc.
1 tsp. vanilla

4 cups rolled oats (not instant)
3/4 cup brown sugar

Melt together first 4 ingredients in a large saucepan or microwave-safe bowl.

Stir in rolled oats and brown sugar. Pack into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Cool. Ice with chocolate icing or leave plain.

Icing: Melt together 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of peanut butter to spread over the top, or use another icing recipe you like. Cut into squares.

(There are lots of variations for this recipe. Add raisins, coconut, seeds, nuts, or other ingredients and skip icing to make granola bars. Add chocolate chips to batter and skip icing to make it faster. Play around with it!)

Hi Vanessa,

What dosage of herbs are you taking? We usually recommend 3 capsules of each, 3 times per day with meals. The fenugreek comes in (600-700 mg) capsules and the blessed thistle comes in (300-500 mg) capsules. As Kerri said, the fenugreek is probably causing the trouble with your stomach. That's why we include the blessed thistle...it's believed to calm upset stomach while at the same time helping to increase milk supply. I agree with Kerri, cut back on the fenugreek , say 2 capsules 3 times per day, and see if that helps.

As for oatmeal, if you really can't stand it...forget it. It's not an absolutely critical component of the protocol. But I have to say that Kerri's recipe sounds YUMMY...thanks so much for posting this Kerri! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

And Christina's shake is also a wonderful option. Thanks for posting Christina! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Overall you're doing great. Keep up the good work.

Fondly,

Thanks ladies!

I'm getting bigger white drops and drips today. Yeah! Hopefully by the time Lily can feed I'll have something to feed her.

I actually had in mind those no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies - seen in lunch boxes everywhere. Mom used to make them for me when I was little. She always put extra peanut butter in. Yum! I have a high protein recipe that works wonderfully with the Zone Diet that I think I'll use when I get settled up in RI. I'll try and remember to post it here.

The fenugreek problem seems to have resolved itself. I did skip a few doses and started back with just two pills but today I'm back up to three a day. I think it helps that I am now taking the pills as I eat instead of all at once just before.

OK, well, we're off! We have a long day of driving ahead and another one tomorrow but then we get to see the little baby we hope will someday be ours. I'll pop back in if I canget online and let you know how it goes.

Vanessa