>Lisa, what is the effect of oatmeal on a milk supply? I have never heard of
>this.

Kathleen,
I picked this up from fellow lactnetter Andrea Herron. She had heard of
this and has recommended it to moms, and at least one of her working
mothers noticed that on the days she ate oatmeal for breakfast, she
pumped more milk than on the days she had something else.

Why do I put credence into this?  Well, I've noticed some interesting
things. Recently, while reading labels in a health food store, I read
that fenugreek was recommended for stomach issues and cholesterol
problems, among other things. I believe Blessed Thistle also mentioned
something similar.  Metoclopramide and domperidone also have actions
related to the stomach, though I don't know about cholesterol.  We use
all for milk supply. Oat bran, which is in oatmeal, is known to help
lower cholesterol.  These are loose ties, I know, but possibly
significant.

One way or the other, eating a bowl of oatmeal at the very least would do
nothing, and if it turns out to be helpful, hey!  The ultimate in
low-tech, low-risk therapy.

-Lisa Marasco, BA, IBCLC