I have read through the archives of past discussions on this herbal
supplement, is there any new data or research?  Any advise as to what to
suggest to this mom?

Mother of a 6 week old infant whose...I really want to make this short but
can't think how... pediatrician is very non supportive of breastfeeding
(along with all of his partners).  Anyway, the infant had a very low weight
gain from 2-4 weeks and so he told mom to breastfeed 15 minutes each breast
then give the baby 2-3 ounces of formula with each feeding.  This is mom's
second baby and she did nurse the first.  Mom, however, told the doctor that
she looked it up on line and read in the pocket guide that she got in the
hospital ( thank you Amy Spangler)  that was not correct.  She told him she
should allow the baby to end feedings and when he told her she was wrong she
said she would supplement but that she was not going to limit the baby to
time on the breast.  HX:  6# 12oz at birth,  6#8oz on DC, 7# 5 oz at 2 week
check, 7# 8oz at one month check,  then supplemented 3 ounces formula after
each feeding for 1 week, 5 week check 8#. Unfortunately she never called
anyone else for advise.  Now mom wants to increase her milk supply. And the
pediatrician is still telling her that if the baby does not gain better he
will have her quit breastfeeding all together and do a metabolic workup.
She went to her OB yesterday ( who is supportive of breastfeeding) who had
her contact an LC.  She could not come in to be seen yesterday so the LC she
spoke with suggested that she increase the number of times she offers the
breast, length of time on the breast or pump additionally and call her OB
and ask what they recommend to increase milk supply, Fenugreek or Reglan,
and start taking galactogogue and then she could be seen in the office for
an evaluation today.
The OB gave her a prescription for Reglan and told her she could also take
the fenugreek if she wanted.  Mom went to the GNC and since she thought the
fenugreek was a little pricey she asked the clerk which other supplements
they recommend.  They looked up on the computer and told her Vitex.  So mom
goes home and decides that since she would have taken several of the
fenugreek each day she should take the Vitex alot too.  So on her own she
decides to take 4 caps to start and  5 more at bedtime (500mg)  Where she
got that number from I do not know, she said she was thinking the more the
better.  ( she is also taking the Reglan) Today she has taken 4 more total.
She called this afternoon because she has transportation problems and can't
make it in today.  After hearing her entire story I told her not to take any
more Vitex today and reviewed with her what information I had on this
supplement.  She says that she told the OB yesterday that she had bought
this and they told her it was alright to take instead of the fenugreek, they
did not tell her how much to take, nor did they know how much she was
taking.

Is there any information on taking too much of this as to how it relates to
milk supply?  Are there any other potential side effects from the increased
dosage?  What is the recommended dosage?  The info I found said 2-3 caps 450
mg  BID.



thanks for any advice...

In South Carolina... where it is sunny and warm... and people do the oddest
things (myself included sometimes)
Pam Price
Community Ed. and Lactation Program Coordinator
Women's and Children's Services
Trident Health System
Phone 843-824-5013
Fax 843-797-4692
e-mail [log in to unmask]

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