- Your cart is empty
- Continue shopping
-
Beseha
- Posted on
- Categories:Women's Health and Pregnancy
- 0 comments
The 30-second answer
The most important thing for a nursing mother is 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day per NHS 111 Wales, and the rest from a varied diet. If you want a vitamin supplement with DHA, Elevit Breastfeeding at EGP 501 or Pregnacare at EGP 480. Milk-boosting herbs have weak, conflicting evidence: LactMed says one review found a mild effect of fenugreek and another found no good evidence, and no supplement replaces advice from a lactation specialist.
What does a nursing mother actually need?
- Vitamin D: NHS 111 Wales says nursing women should consider a daily supplement with 10 mcg, and from late March to September most people get enough from sunlight.
- Other vitamins: from a varied, balanced diet, per the same source; so a supplement is not necessary for everyone.
- Caffeine: under 300 mg a day, because it passes into milk and may keep the baby awake.
- Oily fish: no more than two portions a week, and no shark, swordfish or marlin.
- On pregnancy: see pregnancy vitamins by trimester and folic acid before and during pregnancy.
Milk-boosting herbs: what has evidence?
- Fenugreek: LactMed says its effect may be mostly psychological; one review found a mild effect and another found no good evidence. The 2018 review (5 studies, 122 mothers) found more milk, but less than dates and another herb.
- Side effects: LactMed lists diarrhoea, wind, nausea and vomiting; liver problems, allergy, worse asthma and lower potassium have been reported, and 45% of 85 US mothers had an adverse reaction. It says fenugreek gives a maple-syrup odour to urine, sweat and possibly milk.
- Interactions: it can lower blood sugar and interact with warfarin to cause bleeding; take care if you have diabetes or take blood thinners.
- Moringa: LactMed says the most recent review (14 studies, 865 mothers) found more prolactin and milk, and a 2025 review (8 trials lasting 3 to 10 days) found more milk, but the long-term benefit is unknown and it may stimulate clotting.
- The bottom line: LactMed says galactogogues should never replace evaluation of the factors that affect milk production.
Vitamin supplements for nursing mothers
#1
200 mg DHAOne a day
Elevit Breastfeeding – 30 Capsules
Vitamins and minerals with DHA in one capsule
EGP 501
EGP 16.7 per day · 30 days
- The page: vitamins and minerals with omega-3, including 200 mg DHA per capsule
- The page: one capsule a day with lunch, throughout breastfeeding
- The page: includes iodine, lutein and beta-carotene
Heads-up: Calcium and vitamin D amounts are not clearly on the page; compare with your need and ask your doctor
#2
300 mg DHA700 mg calcium
Pregnacare Breast-feeding – 56 Tablets + 28 Omega-3 Capsules
Tablets and minerals plus a DHA capsule
EGP 480
EGP 17.1 per day · 28 days
- The page: over 20 vitamins and minerals, with 700 mg calcium and 300 mg DHA a day
- The page: 10 mcg vitamin D3, folic acid and B12
- The page: 2 tablets and 1 omega-3 capsule with the main meal, so a pack lasts 28 days
Heads-up: The page says it contains iron; if you have anaemia or take other iron, ask your doctor about the total
#3
Pregnancy and nursingWith iodine
Puritan’s Pride Prenatal – 100 Caplets
An imported pregnancy and nursing multi, one a day
EGP 850
EGP 8.5 per day · 100 days
- The page: for pregnant and nursing women, with 800 mcg folic acid and 28 mg iron
- The page: plus 150 mcg iodine, 400 IU vitamin D3 and 200 mg calcium
- One caplet a day with a meal; 100 caplets last 100 days
Heads-up: It has no DHA and 28 mg iron; ask your doctor if you do not need iron
Herbal products
All three contain fenugreek, so the warnings above apply. Evidence that they raise milk supply is limited.
#4
Fenugreek 250 mgHerbal
Herbana – 30 Capsules
A herbal blend to support milk, per the page
EGP 150
EGP 5.0 per capsule · 30 capsules
- The page: per capsule, fenugreek 250 mg, caraway 150 mg, fennel 50 mg and dill 50 mg
- The page: to support milk supply and digestive comfort
- The page: not for pregnancy
Heads-up: The daily dose is not on the page; fenugreek has warnings (below), so ask before you start
#5
6 herbal extracts13 vitamins
Brestto Toffee – 20 Pieces
Caramel toffee with herbal extracts and vitamins
EGP 185
EGP 9.2 per piece · 20 pieces
- The page: fenugreek, caraway, anise, chamomile, dill and fennel oil extracts
- The page: plus 13 vitamins
- The page: 1 to 3 pieces a day
Heads-up: The herb amounts are not on the page; our sources found no strong evidence these herbs raise milk supply
#6
1.13 g per 2 capsulesVegan
Nature’s Way Fenugreek Seed – 100 Capsules
Fenugreek alone, with a stated dose
EGP 1,290
EGP 12.9 per capsule · 100 capsules
- The page: 1.13 g ground fenugreek per 2 capsules, 100 capsules
- The page: 2 capsules, 2 to 3 times a day with food, so a bottle lasts 17 to 25 days
- The page says evidence for milk supply is limited
Heads-up: The page warns about pregnancy and diabetes; LactMed reports 45% of 85 US mothers had an adverse reaction
| Product | Type | Price | Per day/unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbana – 30 Capsules | Herbal (fenugreek) | EGP 150 | EGP 5.0 |
| Puritan’s Pride Prenatal – 100 Caplets | Prenatal vitamins | EGP 850 | EGP 8.5 |
| Brestto Toffee – 20 Pieces | Herbal (fenugreek) | EGP 185 | EGP 9.3 |
| Nature’s Way Fenugreek Seed – 100 Capsules | Fenugreek | EGP 1,290 | EGP 12.9 |
| Elevit Breastfeeding – 30 Capsules | Vitamins + DHA | EGP 501 | EGP 16.7 |
| Pregnacare Breast-feeding – 56 Tablets + 28 Omega-3 Capsules | Vitamins + DHA | EGP 480 | EGP 17.1 |
Ask your doctor or a lactation specialist first if
- Your milk seems low: the cause is usually feeding or latch, not a missing herb.
- You have diabetes or take blood thinners such as warfarin: fenugreek lowers blood sugar and can interact.
- You have asthma or a legume allergy: LactMed says fenugreek may cross-react with chickpeas and peanuts.
- You take any regular medicine or have a liver problem.
- Your baby shows symptoms after you start a supplement: stop it and ask your paediatrician.
Not sure which one?
Beseha pharmacists answer on WhatsApp. Tap the “Ask a pharmacist” button, tell them your baby’s age and your medicines, and they will help you choose.
FAQ
What is the most important supplement for a nursing mother?
Vitamin D at 10 micrograms a day per NHS 111 Wales; other vitamins can come from a varied, balanced diet.
Does fenugreek increase milk supply?
The evidence conflicts; LactMed says one review found a mild effect and another found no good evidence, and it lists several side effects.
Are milk-boosting herbs safe?
There is not enough safety data on most of them for mother and baby, and fenugreek can cause digestive symptoms and allergy and interact with warfarin and diabetes drugs.
How much coffee can a breastfeeding mother drink?
NHS 111 Wales advises under 300 mg caffeine a day, because it passes into milk and may keep the baby awake.
Do I need prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding?
Not every mother does; a varied diet plus vitamin D is often enough, but some mothers prefer a breastfeeding-specific supplement after asking their doctor.
Does moringa increase milk?
LactMed says the most recent review found more prolactin and milk, but the long-term benefit is unknown and it may stimulate clotting.
Read next: pregnancy vitamins by trimester and folic acid before and during pregnancy.
The bottom line
A nursing mother needs 10 mcg vitamin D, a varied diet and under 300 mg caffeine. If you want a supplement with DHA, there are Elevit and Pregnacare. Milk-boosting herbs have weak evidence and many side effects, so start by having feeding assessed by a specialist, and do not start fenugreek without asking.
Pregnancy and nursing supplements at Beseha →
Sources
- NHS 111 Wales: Breastfeeding and diet
- LactMed: Fenugreek
- LactMed: Moringa
- Khan et al. 2018: Fenugreek as a galactagogue, network meta-analysis
- Ammar et al. 2025: Moringa as a galactagogue, systematic review
This content is for information and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Prices and availability may change; the final price is on the product page.
