I haven't been making enough milk lately and have to supplement with formula. How do I increase my milk supply?

Kristen - posted on 06/21/2011

Try drinking a bear. Also start using fenugreek, blessid thistle and really stop supplementing it just reduces your milk supply further.

Erica - posted on 06/21/2011

I used an herb called FENURGREEK. You can buy it at walmart and you take 3pills 3x a day and it works wonders. I started to take it casue i am going back to school and am scared that i wont make enough. it is safe to take as well i talked to 3 doc about it and they all said that it is safe. the only thing i dont like about it is that when you sweat you smell like maple syurp but some people dont mind that.

Celeste - posted on 06/20/2011

Is, not I'd

It's been a few days, I hope things are getting better!

Celeste - posted on 06/20/2011

Good and I agree! What's the consistency? When he goes and it's not hard pellets, I'd say it I'd fine. However, I'd cut out the formula because formula can cause constipation.

Lorna - posted on 06/20/2011

I haven't started any solids yet because of these issues and I didn't think they would help the situation at all.

Fawn - posted on 06/20/2011

Re: the poop issue.......I would notice my DD would get constipated if she ate a lot of *binding* foods such as applesauce and bananas when she was first starting solids. Carrot juice or a mixture of apple and carrot juice would usually get her to go again and of course eliminating the problem food. She's 4 now and of course she can eat apples and bananas, but when they're first starting solids, it takes time for their systems to adjust to something other than milk.

Alysia - posted on 06/20/2011

I always let my child overnurse for a bit after each feeding and if that didnt work then pump between feedings its a suply and demandthing so the more ya need or ask for the more ya get..also drink lots of fluids and always have some thing to drink while feeding your baby...good luck

Cinda - posted on 06/20/2011

I haven't read the other posts so if you've resolved your issue, GREAT! If you still would like a few tips & tricks to increase your supply from an experienced nurser......
I'm still nursing my 2 1/2 year old & have gone through the ups & downs with supply. The thing that helped me the MOST, that I wished I'd have tried sooner, was drinking LOTS of Mother's Milk Tea. I would just use the same tea bag all day long & just drink weaker & weaker tea all day long (4-6 cups/glasses). I didn't really care for it being too strong anyway. This helps you keep up your water intake as well as the benefits from all the herbs in it.
I'd previously taken Fenugreek, which is in the tea as well, but by itself, it wasn't as effective as drinking the tea that has a combination of lactation-assisting herbs.
Making sure to drink LOTS & LOTS of WATER (not juice or soda & such).
Pumping after nursing.....even if you don't get any additional milk during the pumping session, it's stimulating your breasts & milk glads to let them know they didn't make enough & to make more for next time.
Increase the frequency of nursing / pumping. If baby is uninterested in nursing when you offer the breast, go ahead & pump. This will signal your breasts to produce more milk, more OFTEN too.
Good luck & happy nursing!

Celeste - posted on 06/19/2011

With amount of diapers that she's having, you DO NOT have a supply issue! Hooray!

As far as the poops are concerned, is she on solids? When she does poop, what's the consistency? Hard pellets? Lack of poops doesn't necessarily mean constipation.

Jessica - posted on 06/19/2011

We have dirty diaper issues also... glycerun suppositories work but only use those when it gets really bad... my doctor also reccommends anal stimulation which sounds gross but it actually helps if he is having trouble I just take a wipe and wipe his bottom and he will sometimes go.

Lorna - posted on 06/19/2011

Thank you everybody I have stopped the formula, and trying to nurse frequently! I saw someone mention about the number of diapers she is having. She has ALOT of wet diapers (8 or more a day) but, has had troubles with bowel movements. One time going 10 days without one! She has really bad gas as well. I've tried the thermometer and prune juice. The prune juice worked a few times but hasn't been lately. I've made sure I'm eating enough fiber and enough water but no change! I have cut down on dairy to see if that is the problem (recommended by her doctor) and still nothing. I'm also eating healthy.
Anyone else had this problem or any suggestions?

Heather - posted on 06/19/2011

Nurse more. Nurse your baby as often as your baby wants to nurse. Drink 40oz. of water or more a day. It sounds like a lot, but it's not. Don't drink anything else other than water, it's not hard to do.

Some people say to eat oatmeal and that there's some nursing mother's tea out there that will help too. But I find that drinking water and nursing alot will make my supply pick up. Stop supplementing and start nursing your baby more.

Celeste - posted on 06/19/2011

What you described doesn't necessarily mean that you have low supply. The best way to determine is by diaper count. If your baby is getting about 4-5 diapers, your supply is fine. Never look at behavior, pump output or feel of your breasts. Having said that, supplementing with formula CAN decrease milk production.

Also, 6 months is a prime time for a growth spurt. The best thing to do is nurse frequently. Breast compressions can also help. You can get through this!

Rachel - posted on 06/19/2011

Hi Lisa...My midwife told me about it and prescribed it for me when I told her I thought I was going to need to supplement feed my son. After that I just told my doctor (GP) what I needed and what it was for and the were quite happy to prescribe for it for me. I would dear say that anyone who can legally write perscriptions could do it for you so definately your doc & OB and you could always ask your lactation consultant and see what they say if you are there. I only need really low doses one to two a day, its just enough to make up the difference :)

Lisa - posted on 06/19/2011

Rachel- who prescribed the RX to boost your supply? Your OB or a lactation consultant?

Fawn - posted on 06/19/2011

Making milk is a demand =supply situation. When you supplement, that tells your body you don't need as much milk, so your body makes less milk. You should increase the number of times you bring baby to the breast or the number of times you pump. Also, make sure you're drinking enough, eating plenty of whole grains, getting enough rest and managing your stress well. Mother's Milk tea is a good way to help boost supply as well.

Sally - posted on 06/19/2011

The best way to increase your milk supply is to stop the formula and nurse your baby more often.
Oatmeal, a small anount of a dark beer, pumping between nursings, and fenugreek or Mother's Milk tea can all help too.

Angela - posted on 06/19/2011

While you're working on your supply, check out your local chapter of Human Milk 4 Human Babies (www.hm4hb.net). Maybe you could find a short term donor instead of using formula.

Molly - posted on 06/19/2011

Hi! With my first I had low supply and I got some fenugreek tea, but your doc can also perscribe a med that will help boost. Make sure to nurse on demand too to boost it. The more you nurse (even if it feels like ALL DAY) the more milk you'll make. During supplementation your milk supply gets tricked thinking you don't need tha much because babies not as hungry. Good luck, you're doing awesome!!

Rachel - posted on 06/19/2011

Hi there... I had the same problem and was perscribed a drug called domperidone, it stimulates the milk glands and it works wonders. I went from not producing enough to having plenty. My only regret was I only found out about this for my second baby not my first when I had the same problem. Its worth researching anyway, I find I no longer have any problems and me & bubs are very content :) good luck.

Wolfmama - posted on 06/18/2011

Ensure that you are nursing as much as possible. It's a demand -and-supply system. Especially at night. The motto I follow: "If in doubt, nurse!". Comfort nursing is what stimulates your breasts to produce more milk as well so if you tend to give your child a binky, try stopping for a few weeks to allow your body to be stimulated more. Also make sure that your child does not have a tongue-tie that could prevent them from nursing effectively. You would be surprised at how often tongue-tie goes unnoticed. Good luck to you!

Lindsay - posted on 06/18/2011

You could also try "power pumping". It is the ONLY thing that truly worked for me. You pump basically for an hour after your baby goes to bed, 10 mins on and then 10 mins off and repeat three times. It worked wonders for me and I had tried drinking more, feeding him more, taking fenugreek and mother's milk plus, etc. Hope this helps!

Maria - posted on 06/18/2011

My lactation consultant had my take fenugreek supplements and they worked well for me.
I had low milk supply with my 1st because I lost weight too quickly and she night weened very early (which can cause a big drop in supply) If you were sick, it's possible you werent' able to eat enough and had a temp.drop in supply...

Laura - posted on 06/18/2011

I had the same problem so i would feed my lil man then pump for about 10 mins after he finished that way your body still knows baby is hungry!! it worked for me hope it helps!! Good luck!!

Sharon - posted on 06/18/2011

She may also be going through a growth spurt and as said previously getting frustrated if milk isn't coming out fast enough. Have you tried breast compressions once she starts to get fussy - they will stimulate another let down. Also you could try lots of skin to skin contacts and really go back to basics with her latch as she may have become a bit lazy and not getting your milk out as efficiently as before. Milk is produced on a supply & demand basis so the more you feed the more you make. Try cutting down the formula and replace it with an extra feed, especially at night - they are the most important ones. If you need someone to come and see you then contact your local bf counsellor. Trust your boobs! :)

Theresa - posted on 06/18/2011

She may be getting frustrated because she isnt getting it fast enough and has to work harder than with a bottle! as long as she is peeing and pooping she is getting enough! youll get ur supply back up:)

Lorna - posted on 06/18/2011

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'lll give them a try! :-)

Lorna - posted on 06/18/2011

Lots of times when I try to nurse her she gets very frustrated or nurses for a very long time yet doesn't seem satisfied. A few times she has started screaming crying. She will be 6 months on the 24th.
I was sick for two weeks and that's when I started noticing it seemed low. It seems to be getting better but am still having to supplement 4 ounces at the most everyday

Liz - posted on 06/18/2011

Yes, why do you think it's low?

Ingrid - posted on 06/18/2011

How old is your baby? Can you tell me more about what makes you think that your milk supply is low?

Elfrieda - posted on 06/18/2011

I've heard dark beer, oatmeal, fenugreek tea, mother's milk tea. It didn't work for me, but it works for a lot of people. Good luck.

Theresa - posted on 06/18/2011

OATMEAL!!!!! Not instant. Also lots of mothers milk tea! Ive had the same issue. oatmeal boosts it in 2days. also, more frequent nursing. good luck!!!!!

Kimberly - posted on 06/12/2011

i had that same problem yes make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids but three other things are the bigggest impacts of your milk production.
1) eating enough. you need to eat
2) i strongly feel if you believe you have enough milk you will have enough
3) have him nurse all day long for nurture, for food, before bed. i mean that nursing will stimulate you milk ducts and tell them to make more. this is what every breastfeeding nurse has told me. and most moms i know would agree.

MICHELLE - posted on 06/12/2011

Hi Lorna,
I know that if you dont keep your water intake up this will slow the process of your milk reproducing..
If you can drink plain water I use to drink flavoured water to make sure I keep the water intake up.
Hope that help.. Keep smiling..
Regards MIchelle