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The Risks of Fenugreek

Arna by Arna Talking Back(August 2007) (rank 26th)
Ok.  So breastfeeding isn't that easy.  Who ever said it was going to be?  No one.  So you think you want to increase your milk supply, reasonable enough thinking and you think you have found the answer.  Fenugreek.  Well, read on dear parents.  You are in
for a bit of a surprise.

As a nursing mother I too wanted to boost my supply.  I had heard of fenugreek and the wonderful way it can help with breastfeeding.  So with a plan in my head I headed to my nearest health food shop and bought some.  Being the kind of person who is cautious, I asked what side effects were associated with the product.  The smiling shop attendant said there were none so I bought it.

Now the problem begins.  Not only did it not boost the supply, but I found that it was affecting me and our 3 month old baby.  I was having stomach cramps so bad I could barely walk ( not period pain, but actual stomach), I was thirsty all the time and having tension headaches.  Our baby also suffered terrible stomach cramps and was generally restless.

The fact sites my partner looked at confirmed that fenugreek was indeed the cause of our problems.  I have now stopped taking it and things are starting to go back to normal.

I will be including the links here and strongly urge those of you who are taking or thinking of taking fenugreek to read these.  Those of you who have thyroid conditions or diabetes and are taking fenugreek, then stop.  This product is not for you.  The side effects for people with these conditions are terrible.

Please read the following links.

www.breastfeedingonline.com/fenugreek.shtml

www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/31402/347265.html
 
www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsSideEffects/0,3925,552024%7CFenugreek,00.html

As a parent wanting the best for your child, you should have more of the facts and I sincerely hope these give you more.  As a parenting wanting the best for my child, I did what I thought was something helpful and instead it was a nightmare.

Please before you take any medication, herbal or prescribed, find out more about it.  This is just one more way we can do right by our babies.  Our job is a tough one and these quick fix solutions are not always the best.

My words aren't meant to alarm or scare you but to make sure you are a little more informed about something that seems to be innocent enough but really, for me, was the devil in disguise.

Bubs and I are getting better now and I thank you for reading this advice.

Happy parenting to you all.
Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.
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blue-raven
August 5th | blue-raven
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

I live by the following breast feeding guide.

Drink around 1 1/2 to 3L of fluid per day not tea or coffee.

Drink only 1-2 cups of coffee or tea as caffiene reduces your milk supply

Do not drink alcohol as it contaminates the breast milk and it reduces your supply.

Eat a healthy diet and take a multi vitamin pregnancy tablet, this helps enrich the breast milk.

Watch some food as it causes colic like garlic, onion, chives and anything from that group of foods, cabbage and some sauces like tomato, bbq and pasta sauces have a tendency to cause colic.

Don't take anything over the counter or herbal concotions/remedies without consulting your pharmcist. Suprisingly they love sharing there knowledge and helping you find suitable solutions to your problems. Mine are great and always take the time to help me whenever I've asked.

Proper breast care from around 5 mths using a breast cream and rolling the nipples around between your thumb and finger to toughen them up. Continue cream for at least 4mths after birth or longer if you get itchy nipples a sign of cracking. Wash breast daily with soap and water.

Never change your shower el or soap until baby is a month old and knows your smell.

After showering and cream, express a little milk and rubbed on nipples for the baby to smell.

Decide before birth if you'll use a nipple shield or not ..........not so affective when there older!!!!!!!

Feed in a quiet place with no distruption and relax!

Great advice Arna! Definately a warning, you should always ask a professional no matter the circumstances, people on Anti D's should avoid St Johns Wort and theres another which I can't remember but always be careful what you put in your bodies!

Cheers Raven



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      Arna
August 5th | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

I'm doing all that this time round, and almost made it to a year (6 days off!!!) and hoping to go for another 6months.

I survived the early months using nipple care creams, mainly lanolin, and I have to say, what a life saver - or boob saver! LOL.

Hhhhmm, was wondering about nipple shields and teething...guess I'll not waste the money if she isn't going to take to it.  Not worth the stress, and little fangs only add to the 'wake up and pay attention' factor in the middle of the night! LOL



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josierm
February 2009 | josierm
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

Thanks for the advice.  I would recommend seeking alternatives to medicinal substances first.  Pumping after feeds, drinking plenty of fluids, keeping up a healthy diet, and resting when possible will help to increase supply.  There are tested and controlled conventional medications such as metocloprimide (maxalon) and domperidone that can be used if the first line techniques are not successful.  Many people make the mistake of thinking that natural is safer, but natural is less tested, sometimes unproven, variable in its dosage and reaction and do have side effects.  If it works, then it is acting like a drug, then it is a drug- natural or otherwise.  I have added a link to my advice to explain further.  Ask advice from a lactation consultant or paediatrician.



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      Arna
February 2009 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

Thanks hun,

It's great to have a medical professional add to my advice.  I really appreciate it.

I didn't know maxalon helped increase milk supply.  I reckon that is why I started leaking colostrum with my first from 6 weeks in the pregnancy- I was living on maxalon! lol.



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           josierm
February 2009 | josierm
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

On the baby ward where I work, mums are often prescribed these drugs to help increase supply (usually domperidone is more common).  Sometimes mums stress that there is not enough milk, when there actually is.  This is where weighing baby, keeping note of poos and wees and general health of baby becomes important.  Before drugs are prescribed, mums are referred to a lactation consultant to make sure attachment isn't an issue and test weighs can be done (before and after feeds) to see how much milk baby is taking.  I noticed my supply drop in the first few weeks (this is common) and got it back up by pumping after feeds, feeding more frequently and upping my intake of water during the day.  the supply usually catches up with the demand.  Its important to try not to self diagnose and get some proper advice before treating what may not even be a problem with a drug you may not need with side effects you definately don't need.

I personally don't know that much about fenugreek, so i can't offer any experience or advice there.  But thanks for adding your experience.  Its good to know people are warning against side effects.

xx josie



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                Arna
February 2009 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

I did a bit of research before trying the fenugreek, but only came up with positive things, until I went to the poisons info site that had a link to one of the sites  I linked to.  I was horrified!

My varying success with my first 4 was for different reasons.  My supply wasn't really the issue, it was keeping the interest of bubs long enough for them to have a proper feed.  #5 is still going strong 6 months later and not showing any signs of slowing down just yet!  That means we are officially bottle free!  Yipppeeee! lol.



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                     josierm
February 2009 | josierm
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

well done!!

breastfeeding is great! 



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                          Arna
February 2009 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

Thanks.  We are pretty happy that it is working this time.  It means hubby isn't washing bottles all the time! lol.



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Ametrine
February 2008 | Ametrine
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

Oh you poor things , I hope you are getting over it all now. 

  I had always thought   fenugreek as being healthy,  Thanks for leting us know

When I was feeding my son ,  the going recommendation was,  to drink three glasses a day of Guinness. I got quite a tast for it. I'm not sure whether it helped,  Maybe the idea was to relax the mom so that way creating more milk than if she was stressed?  I do know I slept well and so did Antony.   ( smile )



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      Arna
February 2008 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

Guiness! ROFL.  I love my Guiness, just a shame that I prefer to drink non alcoholic drinks these days.  Act silly enough without having another excuse for it! lol.

There really are some strange things that people recommend aren't there?



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missnickley
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2007 | missnickley
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

Oh wow thanks for sharing. I actaully used fenugreek myself while breastfeeding, I didnt actually find that it increased my supply much either but luckily it didnt adversly effect me either.
I was also told there were no side effects by both the chn and chemist!
My SIL used it and found that it increased her supply massivly though, random fact.

But thank you very much for sharing this advice, it is always good to know the facts and other peoples stories. Well done!



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      Arna
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Thanks hun.  My partner thinks that the effects of increased milk supply in some women is due to the belief it works.  In other words, the mind fools the body into producing more milk.  Either that, or your SIL got super thirsty and was drinking the town dry! lol.  That is another side effect of taking Fenugreek.


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cazza
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | cazza
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
This advise is great, and needs to be known... Well done...

xxxx cazza


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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Yep, and I made it known! lol.


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Lunaeclips
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | Lunaeclips
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Wow i have never heard of this.  I have heard there are alot of home herbal remedys to bring your milk in. I wish i could still breastfeed my youngest as he has food allergies and i am learning natural therapys so i can make my own natural soaps and things for him. I'll have to look this one up. Great.


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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
I guess research is where I should have started before going out and buying it.  I knew I should have, but just took it for granted that there were no side effects.


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gorach
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | gorach
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
as with anything, herbal or pharmaceutical some people do have adverse reactions, and unfortunately you may not fnd this out until you do try it.


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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Yeah, but if I had done my research first, I would have stayed a way from it!


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lexiw
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | lexiw
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek

Great advice thank you for sharing

 Lexi xxx



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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
I won't be sharing the tablets though!  I think I might send them to Mars!


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llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Great advice, people often think that natural remedies are harmless - however, they should be treated the same as any other medication, and professional advice should be sought before use.


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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
I'm going to listen to my instincts from now on.  I figured there was more that she should have said at the time, but she just wanted to get back to her gossiping!  Gggrrr, talk about bad service.


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Domestic-warrior
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | Domestic-warrior
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Good advice, we all assume that 'natural' remedies are harmless but like anything can affect everyone differently.  Jx


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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
I did and look what happened!  I got caught!  Oops. lol.


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MumKim
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | MumKim
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Great advice. I think Fenugreek may have been the cause of the tummy upset Natalya had for two weeks.


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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
It is possible, as Acacia was in agony too, and when we put all the symptoms together for both of us, we had no doubt.


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emmie
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | emmie
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
thanks for sharin this great article


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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
I had to do it just as a warning to other mums.


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Kellzacar
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | Kellzacar
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Hi there,

Great article . . . It's so very important to be aware of all interaction when it comes to medication whether its hebal, over the counter or prescription . . .Better to be safe than sorry . .

Cheers Kellz


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      Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Oh yeah.  The woman who sold it to me said there were no side effects!  She just wanted the quick sale and to get back to her gossip session.  I am not going back there again!


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hermy
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | hermy
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
thanks for sharing this information......it's very important to be aware of all the side effects of medications.....prescribed or herbal.......well done for putting this out.......regards Sandra xxx


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      littlebytes
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | littlebytes
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge of this...I was considering trying it and doing some research on it myself, but now that you have I will go with your advice :)


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           Arna
December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Being fully informed, or as informed as possible on herbal medicines is just as important as prescription medicines.  I was in terrible pain and couldn't understand it, until I got to the point I couldn't take the pills, and the night I forgot, I slept!  the next night, I took it and back to rolling around the floor thinking I was going to explode!


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      Arna
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2007 | Arna
Re: The Risks of Fenugreek
Thanks.  I paid the price for being naive about herbal remedies.


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