Increasing your breast milk?

Maria - posted on 08/02/2011

I read that eating Walnuts increases your amount of breastmilk .

Diana - posted on 12/16/2008

3 fenugreek seed and 3 blessed thistle two times per day will help some. She may be in a growth cycle.

Lorilynne - posted on 12/16/2008

Nurse, nurse, nurse. The more you nurse (or pump) the more milk you will produce. Try feeding her more frequently to get your supply up. When my son goes through a growth spurt he tends to cluster feed in the morning and evening, it last for a couple days and then he goes back to nursing every few hours. Also, make sure you are getting enough to drink. I make sure that I have a glass of water with me every time I sit down to nurse.

Alecia - posted on 12/12/2008

Have you tried drinking enough liquids? Maybe that's why you're running low. I know that when I feed my daughter who is 4 months old now, sometimes I have to drink a glass of water aftewards. I have also talked to my peditrician and she said that I can give her some rice cereal and yellow and orange fruits. But you better talk to your ped first and see what they say is best for your daughter. I know the feeling of being empty, but the more you nurse, the better it gets. When I used to work, I pumped 3 times a day! Now that I'm not working I don't pump as often or hardly at all. If I do, it would be in the mornig when you're usually the fullest. Try that instead maybe and you may get more in the morning instead of when you usually pump. I had problems with my milk coming in when my daughter was first born. It took 4 days! It also helps to relax while you pump and nurse otherwise it will not work. I've also read that if you're getting your period that it can also slow down the milk prodcution and the milk can have different flavors the baby may not like.

Emily - posted on 12/12/2008

There are supplemental vitamins called Fenugreek, you can but at the health food store. They do work great... only side effect is you smell like maple syrup:) You can also allow your baby to suck on each side again for about 10 minutes. Or you can pump on each side right after she eats or an hour later for about 10 minutes. I had to do all these when my son was 1st born. I would try the Fenugreek and letting her nurse more at each feeding.

Claire - posted on 12/12/2008

Hi Lindsay,
Just feed her. I tried fenugreek and milk thistle. I had good results when combining the both. A fantastic web site with so much info is www.kellymom.com (sorry don't know how to post a link). as long as she is gaining weight and developing well.I'm sure things are fine. After a while it's common not to always feel such if any, let down and as your body gets used to how much to make for the amount she drinks you may not feel as full. please check out the web site kellymom.com or find a breast feeding support group in ur area. please don't stress as this will make this worse. find someone to confide any worries in. I'm sure everything is fine. Although the new recomendations are milk till 6months please don't stick to this if you really think your baby needs something extra. Once she is 4months a little baby rice or some puree fruit will do her no harm. this is better than her being hungry which we all know is not the best thing. Good luck xxxxxxx

Briana - posted on 12/11/2008

just allow her to nurse... lol sounds simple enough. You will produce enough milk for her.

Nicole - posted on 12/11/2008

I suggest nursing more often. Consider cluster nursing at night. Every hour for 4 hours or so before bed.

I do not recommend cereal. The sooner you introduce it the more likely your baby is to develop food allergies. Also, there have been MANY studies on cereal before bed helping to get babies to sleep and NONE have been able to show it helps. Often in fact it upsets baby's tummy and causes more sleep issues. DON'T be tempted!

Nurse more, nurse more and nurse more!

Helpful links:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth...
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/fus...

Debbi - posted on 12/11/2008

In reply to one of the responses someone gave you about infant cereal. Babies only require breastmilk until 6 months according to the WHO (World Healt Organization) Canadian Pediactric Society, American Pediatric Society, etc... Her little gut cannot handle cereal yet and may end up causing her discomfort.



Her drinking more and more until the feeling you are empty is normal occasionally. By letting her drink as often as she wants, even when you feel like you can't possibly have anything left is helping you build your supply to meet her needs. Just let her go at it...lol



HTH. (Breastfeeding Peer Support)

Krissy - posted on 12/11/2008

My daughter is onely 6 weeks old and I have to pump for her, but I'm also not getting enough even pumping for an extra 5-10 minutes. I pump for 15 min. then stop for about 5-10 min. and pump again for the 5-10 min. I still get very little. I don't even get a quarter of an ounce. I'm trying Fenugreek ( you can get it at GNC). Since I've started it I've gotten a little bit more, but not much, still under a quarter of an ounce. If anyone else has any suggestions, I'm open to them.

Shae - posted on 12/10/2008

she is probably just going through a growth spurt, which is why she wants to eat more. that is the natural way that she is increasing your breastmilk for you.

Melissa - posted on 12/10/2008

Raspberry leaf tea is good for increasing milk supply, other than that feeding often. She may not get full as full per feed but if she feeds more often she gets enough and it will build up your supply until she can go back to feeding less often

Ruth - posted on 12/10/2008

If you are worried about her getting enough you might want to try a little bit of infant cereal with breast milk before she goes to bed because she might have reached a point where she needs just a little bit more food, but check with your doctor first

Melissa - posted on 12/10/2008

I agree with Stephannie's post. Don't let it worry you. As long as your daughter is healthy and happy don't stress. She might be going through a growth spurt.

Stephannie - posted on 12/10/2008

I have been breastfeeding for 8 months. I thought the same to but my doctor said not to worry, they can go through phases were they eat a lot and sometimes when they don't. Also they said if you are pumping to keep pumping another 5 or so minutes after the milk has quit comming and it will help get your milk supply up. As long as she is healthy and continuing to gain weight I wouldn't worry. Good luck!