My Search for the Best Breastfeeding Supplement

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to judge those who choose not to or cannot breastfeed. I am not an expert. This post is just a collection of breastfeeding supplements based from my personal experience. This is just my simple way to support those who choose to breastfeed or those who support breastfeeding as well.

This is a long post by the way.  :-)


I have been breastfeeding my son for 16 months now. And we're still counting! Yey! I'm just so happy that I am able to provide this precious liquid gold for my little one as I consider it as one of the best gifts I have ever given him. 

I am a SAHM and I guess I'm not supposed to be too worried about my milk supply because I'm with my son 24/7 and he directly nurses from me whenever, wherever (yes, I nurse in public) and however he wants (he twiddles, he has nursing antics and he does "acrobats" while nursing, LOL!) . But, I still feel at ease if I take supplements. You see, I went thru all these paranoia when I was starting to breastfeed him and I was still employed because I almost lost my supply. Story on that here. Thank God, I made it! 

So far, I have tried quite a number of breastfeeding supplements already. My search led me to some which worked its wonders, others unfortunately did not. I listed the breastfeeding supplements I have used and hopefully this could help other nursing moms and those who are still pregnant too. I know every mother is different but I am still glad to share this. :-)

Order based on effectiveness, based solely from my experience.

1.  Malungai Life Oil 

This is the one I am currently using. I have been using it for I think four months already and so far, I am very satisfied. It really does help in increasing my supply. Although, it's quite pricey at Ph990 for 60 capsules, I can say that it's really worth the price. It has a lot more to offer than just increasing milk supply. I started taking 2 capsules a day then when I was satisfied with its effect on my supply, I decreased it to once a day as maintenance. Thanks to my former officemate who introduced this to me. 

I usually buy it from Mercury Drug or Watsons. 

According to their website: 

• Not all malunggay/moringa supplements are created equal. Most capsules contain only dried powdered leaves rather than oil. This leads to variations in quality and the strength of the nutrients you are taking in. Life Oil is the ONLY oil-form malunggay supplement in the Philippine market.
• Life Oil is concentrated. This means that your body absorbs and distributes more nutrients, more effectively, than from powder capsules. 
• Life Oil has a more potent antioxidant than powder, making it more stable.  

 You can check out more about the health benefits of Malungai Life Oil here.

  2. Nu-Moms Malunggay Supplement

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I started using this when I was 35-36 weeks pregnant. My OB prescribed this to me in preparation for my breastfeeding journey. I like the fact that this product also contains folic acid. I stopped using this supplement after giving birth, when I was already breastfeeding. When I went back to work and I noticed that my milk supply was dropping despite regularly pumping milk at work, I texted my OB if I can take it again. She said yes. So, I took it again for a few weeks. Yes, just a few weeks. Not because it wasn't effective. It was effective. Just that whenever I go to the drug store to buy, it's almost always out of stock. Sad. 

I regularly buy this at Mercury Drug for I think not more than Ph20 per capsule. I forgot the exact price, I think it's around Ph16-17 per capsule. Quite expensive too, yes?

Based from Nu-Mom's fanpage: 

Nu Moms enriches immune system, improves the skin, helps sharpen eyesight, boost energy and strengthens the bones.

Nu Moms is a food supplement that contains Malunggay that enriches immune system, improves the skin, helps sharpen eyesight, boost energy and strengthens the bones. It also helps prevent cancer and anemia. Aside from Malunggay, it also contains Folic Acid that nourishes and maintains the heart.

Check out Nu-Mom's Facebook fanpage for more details.

3. Fenugreek

I used this for like 6 or 7 months before I shifted to Malungai Life Oil. This, too, has been very effective to me. Actually, at first I have no idea what Fenugreek was. I was just looking for ways on the web on how I can increase my milk supply and I happen to always read about Fenugreek. I didn't even know where to get one. Then I read somewhere that Healthy Options sells this so that's where I got mine. I forgot the exact price but I think this is around Ph600 more or less. One bottle contains 100 capsules. 

According to Kellymom: 

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) appears to be the herb that is most often used to increase milk supply. It has been reported to be an excellent galactagogue for some mothers, and has been used as such for centuries.

Mothers generally notice an increase in production 24-72 hours after starting the herb, but it can take two weeks for others to see a change. Some mothers do not see a change in milk production when taking fenugreek.

Fenugreek has been used either short-term to boost milk supply or long-term to augment supply and/or pumping yields. There are no studies indicating problems with long-term usage. Per Kathleen Huggins “Most mothers have found that the herb can be discontinued once milk production is stimulated to an appropriate level. Adequate production is usually maintained as long as sufficient breast stimulation and emptying continues”. 

Fenugreek has been used traditionally to treat diabetes, coughs, congestion, bronchitis, fever, high blood pressure, headaches/migraines, diarrhea, flatulence, anaemia, irregular menstrual cycles and arthritis, to ease labor pains and menstruation pain, and as an appetite stimulant. Fenugreek has also been used as an external poultice to control inflammation and dandruff.

You can read more about Fenugreek here.  

4. Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea

Actually, I used this together with Fenugreek. I know, this contains Fenugreek too but I decided to still drink it because it has other galactagogue ingredients which could help increase milk supply. About the taste, well it is slightly bitter but somewhat sweet at the same time. It is almost the same as any herbal tea, just that this one tastes a little bit more pleasant in my opinion. I love its taste as it also makes me feel relaxed. I know it says in the label to drink at least 3 cups a day but I normally would drink this just once a day. I stopped drinking this tea I think 2 months ago. I'm content with just Life Oil.
 
I purchase this from Healthy Options. I think this is around Ph250 more or less. One box contains 16 wrapped tea bags.

According to Traditional Medicinal's website: 

While your bundle of joy is probably causing you no end of delight, moms can also feel overwhelmed and tired, especially when it comes to breastfeeding. We love the fact that this herbal tea has traditionally been used to help mothers support their production of breast milk and to promote healthy lactation. With herbs like fennel, anise (which give the tea a sweet, licorice-like taste), coriander and fenugreek, each sip is like stepping into a tradition that has been passed down from woman to woman for hundreds of years.

I love the fact that this tea also contains blessed thistle, which is also a known galactagogue. 

Learn about its benefits here. 

5. Pro Lacta Malunggay Supplement

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When I came back to work, I didn't have any idea about breastfeeding food supplements. Nu-moms was the only supplement I knew but I thought it can only be taken before giving birth so you can produce breastmilk. (That's the reason why I texted my OB first before taking it again). I started reading and researching about how to increase milk supply because I was so paranoid I'd lose it. I couldn't afford losing my supply because I wanted to breastfeed my baby so bad. I found out about Pro Lacta and read good reviews. When I went to Medela House when I bought my Medela PISA breastpump, they also suggested Pro Lacta. 

At first, it was effective. I'm just not sure why in the long run, I didn't feel its effect anymore. My milk supply was the same. Not increasing despite the regular pumping in the office and direct nursing at home. But overall, I can say that this supplement is effective. I guess I didn't take enough to feel the increase. I just took one to two capsules a day. Some moms say that they take around 2 capsules after every meal to experience its effect. So, meaning, that's 6 capsules a day. 

I purchase Pro Lacta from Mercury Drug. Forgot again how much but I think it's around Ph7 to Ph8 per capsule, more or less. 

According to this website: 

Pro Lacta is a dietary supplement for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Natal nutrition supplement. Enhances breastmilk production among nursing mothers.

6. Yogi Women's Nursing Support Tea

Actually, I tried this product just once. When I went to Healthy Options to buy Mother's Milk Tea, I saw this and it was a little bit more affordable than Mother's Milk Tea. I thought, why not try this one as it is also herbal anyway and has almost  the same content compared with Mother's Milk Tea. This box also contains 16 wrapped tea bags. 

I didn't buy this again as I felt like it was not effective on me. But, mommies, please don't base your judgment on my experience alone, okay? :-) 

As I said, each mother is different. This product might be effective on others.

In my humble opinion, I like the taste of Mother's Milk Tea better. Also, I checked the label and it doesn't contain blessed thistle, one known galactagogue.

Based from Yogi Product's website: 

Breastfeeding can create such a wonderful and essential connection with your baby. That's why we created Woman's Nursing Support. Our all organic blend includes refreshing Fennel, Fenugreek and Anise, three herbs that have been traditionally used by herbalists to help promote lactation. We then add Chamomile, for its sweet, apple-like fragrance and aromatic, soothing Lavender Flower-herbs traditionally used to support relaxation as well as to help soothe the minor stomach upset that sometimes accompanies nursing. Find comfort one delicious sip at a time.

I'm not sure if it has the same manufacturer as the Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea. I just noticed that the packaging of both products almost looked the same. 

You can find out more about this product here. 

7. Natalac

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One day, when I went to Mercury Drug to buy Nu-moms and it was out of stock, this was the first supplement that came into my mind to buy as a substitute. I didn't know about Pro Lacta then. Some breastfeeding moms I know use this. And I have also been reading testimonials about this on the web. But, honestly, I didn't feel its effect on me at all despite regular pumping in the office. Sad. I don't know, maybe it's just me again. I might not have taken the enough dosage for me to feel its effect. 

Natalac is available at Mercury Drug too. Natalac is tiny bit priced higher than Pro Lacta but Natalac contains just around 250 mg of malunggay compared to 350 mg in Pro Lacta. 

Aside from food supplements, there are also a lot more known galactagogues that you can try. Oat meal for one is a galactagogue. When I was still working, I would always bring oatmeal for snack in the office.  Malunggay (the vegetable) of course, is a galactagogue. I love tinola with malunggay! Also, always hydrate yourself by drinking enough water to maintain your supply. :-)

You can check out Kellymom to know more about galactagogues.  

Wait, for those who are asking what a galactagogue is. Well, a galactagogue is a substance that increases milk supply. It comes from the Greek word galactos which means “milk” and agogue meaning "bringer of". 

Important Note: This I learned from this journey. The best way to increase milk supply is still direct nursing. If you feel that your milk supply is low, you may take galactagogue in combination with increased nursing or pumping to increase your milk supply. 

So, there. It was a long journey, but definitely worth it. Just be determined if you really want to give the best liquid gold for your baby.