Low Milk Supply Tips

Melissa - posted on 10/23/2009

I tried mostly everything I could think of I took Blessed thistle, fenugreek, marshmellow root. I drank mothers milk tea. I pumped more frequently...nothing worked. So, as last resort I tried a medicine called domperidone. It worked! You can only order it overseas, but there are nursing moms everywhere that are taking it and have no problems with long term use of it. I have done my research and if you would like to try this as an option bc you feel you have tried it all, let me know and I would be more than happy to help you out.

Amy - posted on 10/23/2009

Drink mother's milk tea and pump a lot! Also make sure you are getting enough calories and fluids. Your doctor can also give you medication if it is really low. Your milk supply doesn't come all the way until at least 6 weeks.

Ashley - posted on 10/23/2009

I pumped every time I fed her, afterward, to make sure she was getting everything, and then bottle fed it to her. It's a lot of work, but after 4 days or so of doing this I saw great improvement.

April - posted on 10/23/2009

These responses were very helpful I wil see what works. Now I know I need to stop stressing. I wanted to give up so many times but I think about Ian and how it's best for him so I keep trying. I was so frustrated I went to my doctor who delivered him and he just told me to supplement and there was nothing to give me for that or nothing I could do. He was doing fine when we were in the hospital when he was born I used to have to wake him up to feed. Now it's like he just cry and don't feed. He's getting formula more and more I hate that so much. I keep trying to feed but it's like he crys so bad until I have to give him the formula. :-( I don't know what else to do I hope these ideas work.

Emma - posted on 10/21/2009

Don't switch breast til a 3 hour mark. The baby will get a higher calorie milk called hindmilk instead of foremilk so it will keep baby sustained til you switch breasts. Worked great for me. Also like all the others, drink lots of milk, nurse often etc etc etc

Vanessa - posted on 10/21/2009

A friend of mine and myself tried fenugreek its an all natural pill that is used for diabetes, high blood pressure etc but its side effect is to produce more milk. It worked for us and one other mommy i know but i have heard mixed reviews on its effect. you can find i tat any local vitamin store such as GNC.

Khara - posted on 10/21/2009

I've gave her a bottle once in awhile but for the past 3 weeks I have been breastfeeding exclusively. However, she barely hits 6 diapers a day. Except, there barely even wet and I heard they're supposed to be soaked. I keep putting her back on the breast and she even sits there for hours sucking. I mean hours! I had a class yesterday, so my boyfriend gave her a bottle and her diaper was soaked afterwards! It makes me feel so inadequate but I decided to start taking fenugreek and I'm renting a pump tomorrow so we'll see! But definitely to keep latching him or her on, taking fenugreek if you need to and pump! Also breastfeed went your out and don't skip feedings with a bottle. Also, even at night wake him or her up every 3 hours to feed if that's how often they normally feed during the day.

Ariana - posted on 10/21/2009

When I have been low (in all of the two months I have been breastfeeding) I tried to breast pump, and feed more often. Sometimes I also get a better response out of manually expressing. And make sure you are not stressing out, drink and eat enough also!

Sarah - posted on 10/21/2009

i found if you make sure you empty the one side before going on the other....just keep feeding on demand until it comes in. (i had to supplement with formula to help mine come in, my boy was just so big at birth, I couldn't keep up with him) I would offer an ounce or two of formula after making sure both sides were done. I did that for a few days then the demand was being met. Now he is 7 wks old and he is totlly satisfied with the breastfeedin alone and gaining lots of weight!

Kerry - posted on 10/20/2009

nurse nurse nurse, then nurse some more then drink lots of water

Christine - posted on 10/20/2009

I'm needing suggestions for a working mom whose baby is on solids already. I'm having a tough time with my supply for my eleven month old. I've even had to send *ugh* formula with her to daycare a few times because I just wasn't able pump enough. Milk supply has never been a problem with me (this is my 3rd BF baby) so I'm very frustrated and feeling like I want to give up but she's allergic to cow's milk and I really don't want to put her on soy milk or soy formula. I've been taking fenugreek for a couple weeks now and have seen a slight improvement, but not much.

Destinee - posted on 10/20/2009

nursing more often can help produce more milk. drink more water, and get enough rest.

Andrea - posted on 10/20/2009

lol, i just asked for some myself. i am looking for tips. my tips are motilium and mothers milk tea, an open mind and common sense and a sense of humor.. be careful with herbs and out of country meds. sigh. i wish this country would do something for mothers milk instead of creating viagra and rogaine for men. this is to sustain life. you think it just might be important.

Rachel - posted on 10/20/2009

**a nursing "vacation"--get in bed or some other comfy location with no top and cuddle baby skin to skin. Nurse often, even if its just comfort nursing
**stay well hydrated--not drinking enough water can often cause a supply dip
**eat healthy! Your body needs good fuel to keep yourself and your baby going :)
**Oatmeal is a natural milk booster--the old fashioned oats cooked on the stove seem to work the best but use what you have :) Oatmeal, cookies, even oat-based cereal
**www.kellymom.com has a list of other natural herbs you can take to boost supply. One of the most popular is fenugreek but some mom's find it doesn't work by itself and need to combine it with others (I used it in conjunction with blessed thistle). If you decide to take a supplement, please be sure to research it! Some of these are used for other things and can affect your health (for example, fenugreek is commonly used to help control blood sugar--if you have low blood sugar already, it can cause a plummet in your numbers).
**If you need to, break out the pump and use it for some extra stimulation :)
**If you are pumping for your little one and need to get more out, try playing with the settings on your pump. Changing the strength & speed of the suction several times throughout your session can help you get more milk or stimulate multiple letdowns. You can also do breast massage before/during pumping to encourage more milk to come out. Some women find pictures of their babies help them pump while others need to be distracted to get more (I usually read while I pumped).

Minnie - posted on 10/20/2009

Put baby to your breast whenever baby wants it, even if baby nursed half an hour ago. Frequent and unrestricted access!