Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Natural Methods to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Herbs and Weight Gain

I am taking the Goat's Rue along with blessed thistle, fenugreek, and Marshmallow root. I have been gaining weight and just can't understand why. I have any of you found to have gain weight with taking any of these herbs? It is getting discouraging along with low milk supply. I have heard that sometimes thyroid problems and can affect the milk supply? I have not been known to have that. Who knows, maybe I do now and don't know it. Have you heard about low supply and thyroid problems? Thanks for letting me know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Hi Anne,

We'll need a little more information before we can fully assist. Are you inducing lactation or are you a birth mother? How long have you been taking the Goat's rue, fenugreek, blessed thistle and marshmellow root? And how many of each are you taking? How long were you taking these herbs before you tried to bring in your milk supply? How long have you been trying to bring in your milk supply? Are you pumping? If you are pumping, what pump are you using? How often are you pumping and for how long? How much breastmilk are you making in a 24 hour period?

These questions may not seem pertinent for a weight gain question but they will help me to figure out what's going on with your metabolism and the amount of calories you may be burning related to milk supply.

Best,

Thank Elenor for responding. I had twins 12/30/05. I was having some difficulty in the beginning due to engorgement, low supply, and latching problems. I started using the SNS to supplement. As a result, my supply dwindled. The babies have been attached to the tube and won't nurse on me now. Dr. Newman suggested getting my supply up and then maybe the babies will go off of the tube. I have been taking 2 of each herb, four times a day. I first was doing three at three times a day, but I was getting bad headaches. This seems to work better. I pump when I can. About 2 times ini the morning and once before going to bed. It is just too hard to do the tube (now Lact-Aid) and then pump with twins. I only get about 1/2 each time. Not much. I am using the hospital grade Madela Symphony Pump. Sometimes the twins are getting more breastfed stools, sometimes not. I know that when they were first born, they used to get more breastmilk. I was losing weight at that point. I was just using the SNS to supplement. Now that the twins are almost 6 months and taking 7 oz of formula at each feeding, the breastmilk is really less. Thank you so much!

Are you seeing Dr. Newman at his clinic? Or are you corresponding by email? The blessed thistle make be causing the weight gain because it is an apetite stimulant.

Have you discussed the use of domperidone with Dr. Newman? That can be a big help with milk supply.

Best,

When you say they are getting milk from the tube.... Are they latching onto your breast properly with the lact-aid in place? I lowered the bag as low as possible to make that milk flow slower and my DD had to work harder for it. She was definitely gettting a lot of time to nurse that way. I think it helped my supply. Domperidone would most definitely help with your milk supply too.

Thank you so much for responding. I have been corresponding with Dr. Newman via e-mail. He is wonderful. I have thought about flying to his clinic. Do you think that would be helpful? I was wondering about the Domperidone. Would that automatically make my supply jump up? Would I have to pump with it to get my supply up? Since I am using the Lact-Aid with every feed, about 7 oz. for every feeding, I am not sure if this would help bring my supply to that high amount? The babies will be close to taking solids. I have contacted a few IBCLC (I think that is the initials) but they don't seem to be familiar with relactating issues. Just initial breastfeeding problems. I am tired of the babies taking so much formula. It is not the best for them. Thank you for whatever info you may have.

P.S. The babies are latching what seems to be properly. They are putting their mouths on the aerola. I often nurse both the same time with the Twin EZ pillow. Perhaps the stimulation is not as good nursing in the football hold on the pillow compared to cradle hold. It is hard though when two want to nurse at the same time.

Anne42 I think the domp. would help you. No, you don't have to pump after just because you are on domp. It just helps with supply issues. Sounds like you are doing well. Adding that may just be the thing to make it all click.

Hi Anne,

If you can fly to see Dr. Newman it would be a big help. But there may be help closer to home. Is your lactation consultant IBCLC?

The IBCLC's should have been responding to your breastfeeding issues in general, and dealing with the low-milk supply issue, and getting your babies to the breast, not just re-lactation and if they are IBCLC they should be familiar with relactation as well. It's required reading for the IBCLC credential.

Ok, having said that, yes, domperidone can be a big help. It takes about 72 hours to work it's magic but you can often feel the effects within 24.

There is no hard and fast rule to breastfeeding position. Do what works. If your babies are latched past the nipple,
well and truly onto your breast, and it doesn't hurt, then they are likely latched well.

Best,