How to increase milk supply??

Elizabeth - posted on 06/19/2009

I agree with the pp about pumping and feeding as often as you can. Also, Fenugreek has worked for me. Some suggest oatmeal, I don't know if that helps or not. If your supply does become low or you are really worried you could talk to a LC or your doctor about the prescription, Reglan (that has also worked for me).

Lori - posted on 06/19/2009

I would pump at home after feeding the baby in the morning-even on days when you don't have to go to work (plus what you are already doing). The morning is the time when you have the most milk available. That really worked for me and I have had the opposite trouble sometimes - producing more than my son needs! That is a good problem to have and I have a nice stock of breast milk in the freezer.

Lisa - posted on 06/19/2009

I had a similar problem and it's insanely stressful. Two things that really helped me are Mother's Milk Tea by Traditional Medicinals, and Mother's Lactation Tonic by Herb Pharm. You should be able to find them at your local health food store and if they don't have it they should be able to order it for you, or you can get it online.Oh Papaya helps too. I dice it up with some diced avocado, lime juice and sea salt. Yummy and great for the summer. Also, try not to stress over it. Pumping is hard and frustrating. If I try pumping during the day, I'm lucky if I get a 1/2 an oz. I only work a couple of days a week, but I'd have to pump three days in advance to try to get enough milk out for just one of those work days. I'd only feed her off of one at night and let the other fill up.So, at 4am I'd get up and I would get up to 4 oz out that way on one pumping. That was the only way I could get enough for her while I was gone. Now my biggest issue was her not feeding long enough. She would feed 5 to 10 min on each breast instead of 15. So I was really freaking out when her pediatrician told me she wasn't gaining enough. This came after her last appointment when he told me she was gaining too much! AHHHHH! So last week I broke down and started giving her a combination of Goats milk formula and hemp milk and she's doing great with it. I only give her one bottle a day of it and breast feed the rest of the time. It was such a huge relief to know that she's getting enough and it's a much better option than traditional formula. I think this kid is ready for solids even but we are gonna put that of just a bit longer. I want to wait until the six teeth she has coming in finally break through and also her digestive system is going through some changes still. Hope this was helpful. Best of luck.

Emma - posted on 06/19/2009

the more you pump the more you will produce, the same as when your child grows he feeds more making you produce more.

Emma - posted on 06/19/2009

the more you pump the more you will produce, the same as when your child grows he feeds more making you produce more.

Virginia - posted on 06/18/2009

You can try taking liqiud Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle, 20 drops, 3 times a day... worked for me.

Nicole - posted on 06/18/2009

Drink more fluids and make sure you're eating the right foods. I know it can be tricky eating healthy when you have a baby and are working, so try taking those ensure drinks to work with you, make sure you're drinking enough water during the day. If you don't eat properly, neither will your baby. You have to get at least an extra 350 calories a day from food in order to produce that milk. Too much stress may also decrease your milk flow, I know it's easier said than done, but try to relax! I've breastfed 3 babies and have noticed that drinking lots of milk, taking vitamins, and eating throughout the day has helped my milk supply. I hope this helps, good luck :)

Amanda - posted on 06/18/2009

really the only thing is to pump more. and feed him as often as you can. when babies go through a growth spurt they'll nurse alot and that's why, because it ups your supply for how big they are getting.