The new Clinics in Perinatology (June 1999) contains an article "Drugs and
Breastfeeding" by Cynthia Howard and Ruth Lawrence, which references
fenugreek.  The description of the herb is similar to that which appears in
Hale (1999) but contains the following: "Because it is in the same family as
peanuts and chick peas, a potential for allergy exitsts.  It is also
recognized to aggravate pre-existing symptoms of allergy." pg. 472.   Hale
remarks with respect to adult concerns:  "...exageration of asthmatic
symptoms.  Two cases of fenugreek allergy have been reported." pg. 266.

I had an interesting case of an infant who was sensitized to peanuts during
either gestation or lactation (or both) by a mother who consumed a lot of
peanut butter.  She had a faltering milk supply due to early severe
mastitis.  Her supply was always marginal even with aggressive management.
Her infant was given supplemental soy formula after 6 mo of exclusive bfg.
when she ret. to work and was sometimes unable to exclusively provide her
milk.  Baby was introduced to solids in the normal fashion.  At 11 mo. he
nibbled a peanut butter cookie dad was eating and ended up in the emergency
room in shock.  The allergist stated that peanut allergies are a rising
threat to health, constitute among the most life-threatening of allergies,
and that infants can be sensitized.  He blamed transport of the protein thru
breastmilk more than intra-uterine sensitization, and remarked that soy is
in the same family as peanuts.  He felt the exposure to soy was something
which potentiated the allergic reaction the baby experienced.  Mom and pedi
had chosen soy over cowmilk based formula (with my encouragement) due to the
fact baby exhibited some allergic sx even during exclusive bfg --  ie rough
skin, patchy eczema and a family hx of asthma.

While we can only know what we know at any given point in history, we can
all learn.  What I've learned is to ask about allergic history and to
observe for allergic sx when I'm making suggestions about ways to stimulate
milk supply and when asked for my opinion on supplementation.  This new
insight on fenugreek will make me more sensitive and cautious in light of
the peanut allergy issue.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas
http://www.jump.net/~bwc/lactnews.html

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html