Increasing milk supply???

Shannon - posted on 12/28/2008

Are you feeling okay.. meaning do you have a cold or anything starting??? My supply went from so crazy that I leaked all over during the night a couple days ago, to almost none by this morning.... I started to worry thinking something happen, so I called my Lactation consultant.... I then realized that i Have a sore throat and a major headache... so did she. I was told that sometimes when we don't fell good, our milk production goes lower..... just a suggestion.

Cassandra - posted on 12/28/2008

i WOULD TRY MOTHERS MILK PLUS. IT IS A SUPPLEMENT THAT YOU TAKE BY THE TEASPOON.. ALSO YOU MIGHT BE GETTING READY TO HAVE YOUR FIRST CYCLE SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS TO NURSING MOMS. IT DID FOR ME. YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO SMELL YOUR BABIES HEAD SO YOU CAN STIMULATE THE HORMONE TO PRODUCE MORE MILK. THOSE ARE THE THREE SUGGESTIONS I HAVE. GOOD LUCK AND RELAX MORE AND ENJOY THIS TIME WITH YOUR BABY.. I HOPE IT WORKS FOR YOU. THOSE ARE THE THINGS I DID, WHEN MY MILK SUPPLY WENT DOWN.. I COULDN'T LET DOWN WITH THE BREASTPUMP SO I HAD TO FIND A DIFFERENT WAY.. HAPPY NEW YEAR..

Kelli - posted on 12/28/2008

Firstly is your son distressed? it is normal for your milk to vary and if expressing doesn't work, as a very last resort try Fenugreek herbal tablets. I only took 1 a day, and it worked...My son was having to feed hourly before that because I didn't have the supply but he went to 2 hourly once I started on the fenugreek. I lost my supply with my daughter and would of with my son too if I hadn't found out about the fenugreek. Good luck, hope you find what works for you..

Emily - posted on 12/28/2008

There are herbs that can help - try going to your local natural foods store - they should be able to suggest something.

Michal - posted on 12/28/2008

A black (not alcoholic) beer and pumping! Good luck!

Heidi - posted on 12/28/2008

Our pediatrician recommended taking an herbal supplement called "fenugreek." I started taking it and it helped some.

Rachael - posted on 12/27/2008

The only way to increase milk supply long term (as teas and other remedies only work short term if at all...) is to increase stimulation. The more you feed or pump (stimulation) the more milk you will make. Pumping and feeding more sends the signal to your body that it needs to produce more milk. It especially helps if you empty your breasts fully i.e. pumping after feedings as well as in between. It can take about a week to two weeks to notice a difference so you just have to keep with it. Hope this helps.

Noelle - posted on 12/27/2008

Drinking at least one beer a day will help increase your milk supply incredibly:)

Ruth - posted on 12/27/2008

I agree. Pumping between feedings is probably your best bet. Be patient, it may take a few days before you see results. Also, to keep your milk supply viable, you should never go more than 8-10 hours between feedings (or pumping). I went 12 hours once (forgot my breastpump on an overnight trip) and it took me almost a week to get my milk production back to normal. If your son sleeps for long stints at night, you may want to consider pumping before you go to bed.

Aimee - posted on 12/27/2008

The only thing that I could tell you is if you have a breast pump then you should be pumping too if you want to increase your supply. If he won't eat its really supply and demand. Pump in between feedings or at the end of feeding to copmpletely empty yourself.