Best Place to Buy: Amazon
What You Get:
60 Count Bottle
OR
120 Count Bottle
OR
2- 120 Count Bottles
My Overall Rating: 10 out of 10
What is Motherlove?
Motherlove was founded in 1987 by Kathryn Higgins. It started as a small business out of her home where she shared herbs she used in her own pregnancies with other mothers.
The company today has grown internationally and with their products being sold in hospitals, pharmacies, natural food stores, and speciality retailers in over 40 countries. Not bad for being “home grown.”
One unique thing about Motherlove is that all their herbs are organically grown on their own 120-acer ranch in Colorado. This family business has a commitment to the quality of their products as well as a love for doing things the “old fashion way” which is refreshing.
Motherlove Special Blend
Motherlove has a few different lactation supplements. The More Milk products are raved about by breastfeeding mothers who claim to have seen a significant increase in their milk supply nearly overnight.
The More Milk and the More Milk Special Blend are very similar. The difference is that the Special Blend includes Goat’s Rue among the main ingredients.
Per the Motherlove website, More Milk Special Blend is:
An alcohol free liquid concentrate in vegetarian capsules. This formula blends the herbs in the more milk plus with goat’s rue. Specially formulated at the request of lactation consultants, this product can help the development of mammary tissue and support breast milk supply for women who did not increase in breast size during pregnancy, have had previous breast surgeries and adoptive mothers.
It is available in 60 and 120 count pill bottles. Mother Love More Milk Special Blend 240 count bottle is often asked about. There is no 240 count bottle but some retailers will sell two bottles of the 120 count and market it as a 240. So if you are looking for the 240 count, just know you won’t find it.
Ingredients that Make Motherlove Special Blend so “Special”
Let’s take a look at the ingredients in Motherlove More Milk Special Blend and how that supports and promotes lactation.
One thing to note is that it does not contain any milk, dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, or gluten.
So it is a great option for any moms with allergies!
Fenugreek Extract
Fenugreek is a herb often recommended to mothers who want to get a boost in their milk supply. You will find numerous mothers who rave about the results they have seen by taking Fenugreek daily.
Studies show mixed results in regard to Fenugreek and its true influence on a mother’s supply but with the positive reviews out there and the thousands of breastfeeding moms who say it does work, one would conclude that this herb is a winner.
Of the studies that have been done, it does show that a mother needs to take nearly 3500 mg of Fenugreek a day in most cases for it to be effective. It is said that once your sweat and urine smell like maple syrup then you are taking enough. Nice, sweet side effect in my opinion! I love maple syrup!
Powerful herb with great results!
Blessed Thistle
Blessed Thistle is a herb commonly found in lactation supplements. It appears to work best when paired with Fenugreek. It has been used since the Middle Ages for a variety of ailments such as loss of appetite, indigestion, as a diuretics, depression, and of course for lactation.
Fennel Seed
Also known as, Foeniculum vulgare, Fennel is a popular and flavorful herb for cooking. Since ancient times, it has been used for a variety of medical purposes including lactation in mothers.
It contains anethole, which is considered a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens mimic the properties of the hormone estrogen, which is essential for increased secretion of milk in mothers. Evidence suggests that taking Fennel may promote increased lactation because of this.
It is also high in vitamin C, which may be why it has been used effectively for medical remedies for so long.
Nettle Leaf
Nettle leaf is a rich source of iron, calcium, folic acid and many trace minerals which are essential in breastfeeding and pregnancy.
You may have called this plant “stinging nettle” as a child (or maybe still do). Yes, this is the same plant. The short hairs on the leaves cause blistering and burning when touched. But if you know your herbs, then you know how truly valuable nettle can be.
Nettle can be used in cooking and in teas (But please don’t use fresh if you don’t know how to prepare it. You will hurt yourself). The tonic from Nettle strengthens many body systems and can clear up anemia, skin problems, promote good kidney function and support the adrenals.
Goat’s Rue
This is the “special” ingredient in the More Milk Special Blend and for good reason.
Yes, Goat’s Rue is a plant and no, it does not come from goats.
The leaves stimulate development of mammary tissue to increase breast size. It is one of the most potent herbs to increase breast milk in women who have difficulty breastfeeding because of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), previous breast surgeries or adoption. Large amounts may lower blood sugar levels.
Goat’s rue grows 2-3 feet tall with branching stems and oval, opposite leaves. The long flower stalk produces many light purple to pink flowers similar to those in the pea family to which it belongs.
Goat’s rue is widely used by European dairy farmers to quickly increase milk yields in cows which is said to be up to 50%.
Goat’s Rue has been used for centuries even at one point was thought to be effective against the plague.
Lactating mothers have long since praised Goat’s Rue for increasing their milk supply.
Dosage and Side Effects
A nice thing about a blended formula like this one is that you get all those great herbs in one pill. If you took each separately, you would be taking 15-20 pills or more a day!
Dosage for Motherlove More Milk Special Blend- Take 1 capsule 4 times per day. Women over 175 lbs take 2 capsules 3 times per day. May be taken with 1-2 oz. of liquid. Avoid additional liquids 15 minutes before and after each use.
So a 60 pill count bottle is about a 2-week supply and the 120 count bottle is a 30-day supply.
Like all herbs, there may be some side effects so it is important to know what to look for. Per the Motherlove website:
The following are possible side effects. Discontinue use if adverse side effects appear. Fenugreek may cause upset stomach or excessive gas in mother or baby, may lower blood sugar, may cause break through menstrual bleeding, may lower the thyroid hormone T3 and should be avoided by women with hypothyroidism.
It is always best to consult with a professional before starting any herbal treatments. I will say that this blend comes highly recommended by the Lactation Consultants I have worked with.
What Breastfeeding Mothers Have to Say About Special Blend
Motherlove More Milk Special Blend boasts a 3.9 stars out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The positive reviews, of course, rave about the increased milk production since they started taking the supplement. Some of the production increase numbers are quite impressive.
Negative reviews, as expected, are more geared toward a mother not seeing an increase at all or it wasn’t what they expected.
Here are a few reviews of Motherlove Special Blend:
I think it is important to keep in mind when considering any supplement products like this one that everyone will not have the same results.
No supplement will be a miracle but it can be a very helpful tool.
It will help your body by giving it the nutrients it needs to hopefully influence its ability to produce more milk. The key to a healthy supply is and always will be proper breastfeeding and/or pumping technique (aside from medical issues, of course). If you are struggling with the basics (latching, missing feedings, not nursing on demand, not pumping correctly, etc) then yes, you will struggle with supply issues.
Click here to read tips and more on increasing your milk supply!
But rebuilding your milk supply with proper technique along with Motherlove Special Blend is a winning combo in my book!
Pros and Cons and Bottomline!
Pros:
- Formula includes Goat’s Rue
- Organically grown herbs
- Consensus among users is majority see significant increase in milk supply
- Only 4 pills per day versus 15+ if each herb taken on its own
- Trusted company with quality products
- Vegetarian capsules
- Alcohol-free liquid concentrate (not powder formula)
Cons:
- On the more expensive side for an herbal supplement
- Can have side effects
- Need to limit water intake before and after taking each dose
Bottomline
I have used and reviewed many lactation supplements and Motherlove More Milk Special Blend is among the best on the market. I do believe these herbs work to stimulate milk production and if taken as recommended and with proper breastfeeding and pumping technique, it can provide significant results.
Motherlove More Milk Special Blend is a great product that I would highly recommend!
Have you used Motherlove products before? Leave a comment and let us know what you thought!
Click here to read more about Motherlove More Milk Special Blend!
Amazon- 60-Count: $23.95 120-Count: $41.90 120×2-Count: $70.95
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Hello,
This product, Motherlove More Milk Special Blend seems fantastic!
Best part is not having to take a huge amount of pills. Just 4 is perfectly acceptable.
Vegetarian, organic and alcohol free are a must for lactation supplements these days.
I hope the side effects aren’t a drawback.
Oh, one has to be very careful to drink water, otherwise it will be a waste good money on something that won’t work well.
What a great article. Keep it up.
Regards,
CJ
I do think the not being able to drink water before and after can be slightly annoying but it’s not that bad. I honestly never had an issue with it. It’s just for a little while. But this supplement is fantastic so foregoing a little water is worth it in my book!