How do I get more breast milk to come in?

Veronica - posted on 08/17/2012

with my first child i had the same problem. the first couple days out of the hospital we were doing really good. i was getting enough milk for him but as he was getting bigger it seemed like he wouldnt get full so i had to give him breastmilk and 3 oz of formula. But he got sick from that so my mother in law told me to drink some beer in the morning empty stomach, and sure does work. my breast was soo full my breast pad will get really full. just make sure u drink it on a empty stomach or else it wont work!! (by drinking beer their is no harm to the baby!! )

Tasha - posted on 01/19/2009

Are you taking birth control? Sometimes that can affect your milk supply, but there are medications they can prescribe to stimulate it again.

Tiffany - posted on 01/18/2009

Try nursing in a quiet secluded room with no noise or distractions. Dim the lights and lay down. Forget about all of your stressors and only think about your baby and NURSING in general. These things promote the "let down reflex".

Ellen - posted on 01/18/2009

Mothers Milk Tea, Oatmeal, small amounts of very hoppy beer (ails)...make sure your not eats anything that reduces your supply...Kelly mom site is good for this info.

Susan - posted on 01/18/2009

I haven't tried it consistently, but my lactation lady told me to "power pump".  She said that milk production is naturally highest in the wee early am hours and lowest at night and to pump for 1 hr 10 minutes sometime between 4-7pm.  You pump for 10 minutes, then stop for 10, and repeat four times till you've pumped a total of 40 minutes.  You won't get a lot of milk out near the end, but it isn't about the production amount, but trying to stimulate your body and telling it to do more.  Like I said, I haven't tried it for more than a day, but thought I'd pass it along just in case :)

Sarah - posted on 01/18/2009

Quoting Sarah:

I had the same issue, my lactation lady recommended a product called More Milk Plus. You can get it at any whole food store. Please let me know if it worked for you. Thanks

I also used More Milk Plus.  It worked great!  It comes in pill form or liquid.  I used the pill.  Also, I've heard eating oatmeal is helpful.  and  brewer's yeast.

Lindsay - posted on 01/18/2009

Fenugreek and blessed Thistle pills together really helped me in the begining, I have had a low supply with my son (7months) and finally had to switch to Domperidon (RX) to get my supply and I have to take it 3 times 3 pills per time to keep my supply. I saw my LC and she said that the fengreek is great for the begining but may not work as well in later months. If I miss any pills I dry right up and have no milk it is strange as with my other three kids I have never had a milk supply issue. Good luck i hope you find something that works.

Mindy - posted on 01/17/2009

More Milk Plus (Henrys or Whole Foods- the tea and other Fenugreek tabs were disgusting!), does the trick for me, and i really had to up my calorie intake. i do a lot of carrots and fruit for snacks, my dr even had me eating in the middle of the night when i got up to pump (if I wasn't nursing- was every 3 hours up until about my baby was 7 months old). That helped a lot! --also- a beer or two is an old wives tale  but really works for me!

Karen - posted on 01/12/2009

I've read there are certain herbs that stimulate the production of more milk. In fact, TARGET sells an herbal tea called "Mother's Milk" made from herbs that European mothers have been said to use for this purpose. I don't know from experience how effective it is (or isn't), but it'll only cost you $4.00 to find out... can't hurt. Let us know how it works out for you, or if you come across another means of stimulating more milk production.

Amanda - posted on 01/12/2009

thanks everyone for your comments. i ended up going to my doctor and told them i was having problems with my milk supply they proscribed me this metoclopramide 5 mg tablets. with in a wk i have a great milk supply now.  I take the pill 30 mins b4 i eat 3 times a day and then b4 bed so i take 4 pills a day and drink plenty of fluids and try to get as much rest as i can. which doesnt seem to work out that way. haha.

Patricia - posted on 01/01/2009

Fenugreek, More Mild Plus, pumping for three minutes after the last drop, resting as much as possible. These are my suggestions. Good luck!

Krysta - posted on 01/01/2009

What is it that is making you think that you are beginning to dry up? It's very uncommon to dry up out of the blue. I'd advise you to just continue nursing on demand. Your body will keep up.

User - posted on 12/30/2008

A good thing to remember is that as baby gets older, she'll get more efficient at nursing. She'll be able to get the milk she needs faster. Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand, the more you nurse, the more milk you'll have! Pumping can be helpful, but pumps are not as efficient (or as sweet!) as your baby...nursing often, I'm talking about REALLY often for a few days should start to change things. Also, I don't know if you've started solids or not, but that can affect how often a baby is nursing which in turn affects your supply. Here's a great link to La Leche League's website for more information:

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/increase.html

I would encourage you to check and see if there's a local group near you that meets, or you can always call their helpline if you want additional info!

~HTH~

Cat - posted on 12/30/2008

The Rx you can get from your doctor is called Reglan (if the fenugreek, mother's milk tea and extra pumping are not helping). You only need a 1-2 week course of it, and it will definitely show you improvement. It is what they give mom's of preemies who need help starting a milk supply

Meg - posted on 12/30/2008

I went back on birth control after my first baby and this can decrease the milk supply so I took something called Motilium which is generally prescribed to increase motility in the colon but also increases milk supply. This was prescribed for me by my doctor, I don't think you can get it OTC.

Sharon - posted on 12/30/2008

I popped fenugreek like it was candy. I was only taking one at first and didn't notice a thing until I was told I had to take a lot more than that to notice anything. I ended up having a supply that was crazy (roughly 60 oz a day). I pumped and pumped and froze and froze. My son never did latch so I strictly pumped. Stopped after 7 months but had enough milk for his first year of life. Like many suggested, your supply is probably going down a bit to just satisfy your daughters needs but if you wish to pump and store, I'd definitely try fenugreek. I was very religious though, I woke and pumped every 3 hours (including the middle of the night) and when my son got older, I'd pump after I fed him a bottle. Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 12/30/2008

I had the same issue, my lactation lady recommended a product called More Milk Plus. You can get it at any whole food store. Please let me know if it worked for you. Thanks

Anna - posted on 12/30/2008

It's normal for the milk to slow down as your baby gets older. Most moms who think their milk is drying up are usually just going through a normal process. If she's eating solid food, then you will naturally have less milk, but it's most likely exactly the amount you and your baby need.

I have also heard that early morning (and even very early morning like 3am) nursing keeps the supply up - probably NOT what you want to hear, but I think it may be true.

Cassie - posted on 12/30/2008

i have been having the same problem. my daughter is almost 7 months old and for the last two or three weeks she has been nursing less than usual, but she doesn't seem to want more and I make sure she eats 3 meals a day and I mix her cereal with breastmilk or formula. people have suggested that I try mother's milk or fenugreek and blessed thistle. I haven't been to a health food store yet to try them, but it's on my to do list!

Jennifer - posted on 12/30/2008

I went to my healthfood store (one I trusted) and they recommended a suppliment and it worked really well. sorry i can't remember the name.. also remember if he is starting to eat more.. it is supply and demand and some just wean a little earlier then we would like.. jenn

Danica - posted on 12/30/2008

You can try Fenugreek tablets. They help increase milk supply. Is your daughter satisfied with the amount of milk? If she is, then you don't need to increase your supply. Your body will naturally produce the amount the baby needs, it just might take a day or two for your body to catch up.

Nicole - posted on 12/30/2008

my milk supply goes off my emotions so if im sad, sick, or mad it usually goes down so i drink this tea mothers milk. u can find it at gnc, then i usually fill up pretty fast otherwise spend one or two days strickly pumping every two hours. good luck