Herbs

A galactogogue is any substance you swallow that is said to increase milk production.

Herbs, including fenugreek, have been used for centuries in folk medicine to help with a woman's breast milk production. Herbs contain active ingredients which have been shown to pass into the breast milk. But the research trials that have been conducted haven't shown them to be effective.

Unfortunately, there is little regulatory oversight of these preparations. They do, on occasions, cause side-effects in breastfeeding women, and can also pass into your breast milk to be ingested by your baby.

Lactation cookies or booby bikkies

There's something deeply nurturing about cookies that are baked just for you by a person who cares about you - and who hopes to help you build your milk supply. However, the various ingredients that are used in booby bikkies don't increase milk production in any scientific or evidence-based way.

I do however believe that the ritual of providing for you and of showing love for you in the baking of a cookie has its own healing magic.