Do Lactation Supplements Actually Work? A National Breastfeeding Month Refresher

Reviewed 7/15/26 by the NatMed Clinical Team

Top Takeaways

Evidence that moringa, fenugreek, or milk thistle boosts milk supply is limited. 
Moringa products are tied to an active Salmonella recall, and fenugreek can cause a harmless but diagnostically confusing odor in newborns.

Up to 30% of mothers experience low milk supply issues. In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, refresh your knowledge on commonly used galactagogues and notable safety concerns.

Does moringa increase milk production?

Small clinical studies suggest that oral moringa leaf may modestly increase milk production during the first week of breastfeeding. But these findings are limited due to study quality and duration. Moringa leaf is possibly safe when used short-term while breastfeeding, but due to a recent nationwide salmonella outbreak impacting moringa products, advise avoiding these products altogether until the outbreak resolves.

Does fenugreek increase milk supply?

Fenugreek is regularly promoted online as a natural galactagogue – small clinical studies suggest that oral fenugreek, either as a supplement or tea, might increase lactation when used shortly after delivery. But most available clinical studies lack safety testing. Some evidence suggests that taking fenugreek 1725 mg three times daily for 21 days does not cause negative side effects in breastfeeding infants. It’s worth noting that fenugreek use around delivery or while breastfeeding can cause a harmless maple syrup–like odor in infants, which can be confused with maple syrup urine disease in a newborn if providers aren’t aware of fenugreek use.

Is milk thistle an effective galactagogue?

Strong evidence is lacking. One small clinical study shows that taking a milk thistle extract standardized to 60% silymarin 240 mg twice daily for 4 weeks does not increase milk supply when compared with placebo. Plus, there isn’t enough reliable data in humans to know if it’s safe for a nursing infant – although animal data hasn’t shown any serious adverse effects. 

What’s the bottom line?

Always err on the side of caution when counseling on supplement use during breastfeeding. Encourage patients to focus on healthy lifestyle choices, like eating well and drinking plenty of fluids. Pumping or expressing milk in between nursing sessions can also help increase milk supply. Take advantage of our Pregnancy & Lactation Checker to screen for safety concerns in real time and advise only using products verified by a reputable third party.