Low Milk Supply Tips

Angela - posted on 02/01/2010

My lactation consultant told me to drink a 32 oz glass of water everytime my baby breastfeeds. Haven't quite kept up with that, but I've also been hearing a lot about oatmeal and dark beer. My baby girl is 4 months now, and we have had to supplement (formula) occasionally, but her pediatrician wanted her to for the extra vitamins, but never more than 4 oz a day. Also, hand expressing after pumping i've heard can be effective. I'm going to go home and try that because when I pump i might get 2 oz per side if i'm lucky. there's a video on hand expressing at leron-line.com go to clinical updates and scroll down to Breast Pumping. very informative!

Tina - posted on 02/01/2010

good feeding is every 2 to 3 hour any feeding closer together may exhaust you and that new baby needs his or her mommy to be ready with a lot of energy to increase your supply pump at night make sure you take your vitamin and eat healthy

Rachel - posted on 02/01/2010

No you need something like budlight something like that b/c smirnoff is more liquor then beer.

Rachel - posted on 02/01/2010

I was told to drink plenty of fluids and green tea helps and if you drink a bottle of beer and wait 2hrs you can pump or feed your child and you'll have a lot of milk because of the yeast in the bear. Yeast helps produce milk dk why but it does. And if your body is relax that helps, so get your partner to give you kneck shoulder and back massage and it helps. I hope this helps anyone ^_^ !!

Tanith - posted on 02/01/2010

I had this problem when I returned to work - my midwife suggested I nurse more often when I'm with him at home, drink LOTS of fluids (I drink 2.5 - 3L of water a day). Now I've become a dairy cow.

Tye - posted on 01/31/2010

when my son was eight months he wouldnt take any form of formula and i didnt have a suffiecnt amount of breast milk to send with him to daycare..... so i gave him RICE Dream and he really liked it they sell it at ralphs, whole foods, and it come in a few different flavors..... i used the vanilla flavor one and would warm it for 30sec i also added his rice and oatmeal with it...... try it it may work for your lil one

Tye - posted on 01/31/2010

ok what beer did u try..... will a smirinoff work

Tye - posted on 01/31/2010

i heard a bottle of beer will increase ur supply since i dnt like beer i am not able to try it..... ive tried yogi tea to help lactation increase and it has been workin

Stephanie - posted on 01/29/2010

a friend of mine suggested taking blessed thistle herb and fenugreek along with my prenatal vitamins.. this has worked for me

Hayley - posted on 01/29/2010

I use to make these oatmeal banana chocolate chip cookies. They were the aboslute best! The Little Debbie oatmeal cookies also did wonders as well. Eating them always gave me lots of energy, a full tummy and for some reason always helped the milk supply!

Hayley - posted on 01/29/2010

I use to make these oatmeal banana chocolate chip cookies. They were the aboslute best! The Little Debbie oatmeal cookies also did wonders as well. Eating them always gave me lots of energy, a full tummy and for some reason always helped the milk supply!

Jillian - posted on 01/28/2010

I have had success pumping for ten to fifteen minutes (each breast) after every feeding, or every two and half to three hours; I did that until my milk supply was adequate, it took about a week. Now I have more then enough milk.

Jill - posted on 01/28/2010

I have twins and am breast feeding and pumping ALL the time. I am always concerned whether there will be enough for each of them, especially in the evening. Eli is up to 7 ounces a feeding taking only the bottle. Addison takes the bottle, but prefers the breast. It has been a challenge and continues to be so as they get older. What I have done is to eat oatmeal and more oatmeal and more oatmeal. Plus Mother's Milk is a Godsend. This combination works for me. Of course nursing more and pumping constantly too. I was told not to go longer than 5 hours between pumping/nursing. I try to pump every 3 even into the night and the kids will be 6 months Feb. 9. They are starting to sleep through the night, but I won't have enough milk for both if I don't set the alarm and get up at least 2 times in the night.

Sheena - posted on 01/27/2010

cheesecake has worked wonders for me not only is it good but that evening i am waking eden up to nurse. and yes lots of WATER!!

Aimee - posted on 01/27/2010

I think that was an important point about making sure your baby gets the hindmilk and to stay on the same breast long enough to ensure this. However, it's not really that vital for us nursing Mums to be drinking milk ourselves, we need to be drinking plenty of water for sure! We don't need cow's or soy milk to make our own milk, we need water most importantly, so don't worry if you don't like milk yourself!

Tamara - posted on 01/27/2010

hello i am new to the circle of moms.. trying to figure out how this works. I am at a cross roads. My doctor wants me to ween my 7mo son so i may take a stronger prescription i cant stand the way formula smells so i am having a hard time giving it to my baby. I was blessed with lots of milk in the beginning so i have been feeding him from frozen storage. I am afraid that it is too late to stop the weening process... and I REALLY WANT TO STOP WEENING. tips on increasing my milk supply once it has started to taper? trying to stop before 12mo was such a mistake, but it is hard when noone else you know is breastfeeding

Catalina - posted on 01/26/2010

When I got sick with sepsis, I couldn't breastfeed for a month, thankfully I had a deep freezer full of stored bm, but I had to pump and dump and notice my milk supply was low. I asked the doctor what can I do to make more milk. She said the basics rest, drink plenty of water, oatmeal, and eating healthy. Also latching your baby, because the natural stimulation makes more milk. And then she said to drink a beer a day, ya should of seen the face I made, lol. But its the brewers yeast that is in beer, that helps produce milk. I'm not much of a fan of alcohol, so she said I can buy the tablets of Brewer's yeast, take one a day. It worked for me, and I'm still breastfeeding, my son will be 8 months on the 1st.

Christine - posted on 01/26/2010

sorry i dont have time to read all the other posts. but i had to get a cast scan done when our daughter was about 4 months old and you are not allowed to breastfeed for 48 hours after because of the injection. and i was pumping every few hours but its not as effective as a baby actually nursing and i didnt know that so i almost lost all of milk completely!!! i was soooo upset! my daughter started to reject me and she was crying and crying! and i was crying! i didnt use any supplement or anything, i just kept switching her from boob to boob like a pacifier! and it worked!!!!! the next morning it came back full throttle! and we were all so happy again! so my best known advice would be persistence! GOOD LUCK!! :)

Lindsey - posted on 01/26/2010

I pretty much stopped producing milk in my left breast months ago...my son is now about 7 1/2 months old and he has preffered my right breast pretty much the whole time. He has been eating solids since he was four months so of course my supply has slowed down some as he doesn't eat as much, but I was wondering if there is a way to increase the supply in my left breast. Not only am I extremely lopsided now, I don't have as much of a stored supply anymore as Im not producing as much in the left as I used to. I try pumping the right when I pump the left, but I have to admit Im not very good at staying on a pumping schedule as Im hope with my son most of the time. I just started drinking Mother's milk tea this last friday...trying to get three cups in a day. Any suggestions??? Thanks! P.S. my right breast is probably a good two sizes bigger than my left, it's not only uncomfotable physically, but it's very hard to disguise:(

Ashlea - posted on 01/25/2010

I have been eating old fashion oatmeal every morning and I have noticed an increase in my milk supply. !!!

Laura - posted on 01/25/2010

My families tradition for increasing milk are fenhel and cumid tea.

Meredith - posted on 01/25/2010

Nurse on demand, not on a set schedule. Nurse often in the beginning( first 6 weeks) as this is when milk supply is established. Drink plenty of water. Milk supply is based on supply and demand. The more the baby nurses, the more milk produced. Pumping in between may help as well, but nursing from the baby is better stimulation to the breast than a pump for increasing milk supply. Also, avoid any other artificial nipples- soothers, bottles, etc. Nurse the baby to comfort it.

Ashley - posted on 01/25/2010

The herb Fenugreek worked GREAT for me! I wanted to increase my supply to pump for a short trip we were taking and it really helped! I know some people are completely opposed to herbal supplements, but I haven't had any problems with it. The only side effect is that you smell like maple syrup! :-) Not to terrible of a side effect, your spouse might crave pancakes for a while! :-)



Also, drink lots of water and nurse and pump often! It will help with the supply!

Esther - posted on 01/24/2010

drink papaya with fish soup each day!!! it works in Chinese! wondering if it also works in western

Christina - posted on 01/24/2010

It is difficult for babies to get used to working for their food when it comes so easily by bottle. The muscles developed by breastfeeding are important and help drain ear canals too, so that work babies are doing is necessary. It may be a good idea to get each breast very full so your baby has a successful experience getting a lot. (Have him only nurse on one side per feeding.) Remember that frequent nursing will increase supply as long as Mom is getting plenty of fluids (mostly water) and REST! Growth spurts increase milk supply in about 24 hrs. if you let baby nurse on demand to increase the milk. This is the baby's way of increasing the milk; it doesn't mean you don't have enough milk. Sounds like your baby needs your breastmilk too to help his little tummy. Have faith in your milk! It is your beautiful gift to your son. You are retraining him to appreciate it and it may take some time and a slow phase out of the bottle.

Christina - posted on 01/24/2010

This is a great strategy because staying on one side between the average 3 hour feeding will serve to increase the milk supply by stimulating that one breast more. That is wonderful that you figured this out. It is also great to see so many mothers reminding themselves that Rest, Fluids, and Frequent Nursing are the true keys to increasing and maintaining milk supply. Remember to tell yourself that you have Plenty of milk as well and believe it! It really works, just like telling yourself you don't have enough also works in the opposite direction by creating stress that stops your milk from coming down (even though it's in there hiding out). The people in your environment also influence you, so teach them how to support your breastfeeding success!

Kristie - posted on 01/24/2010

All of these are great recommendations. I breastfeed for a year.



The one thing I didn't realize after I did all of these types of suggestions...



STRESS!! Will dry/reduce your milk supply up so fast. Put all the other things going on in your life out of your mind and relax with your little one.

Princess - posted on 01/24/2010

U can drink lots of water & u should also eat enough.... The best way 4 me is drinkin water......

Christi - posted on 01/23/2010

I agree with mother's milk tea. Also, drink water, and when you pump, visualize your baby - I have heard that helps too. That, and relax while you do it.

Melissa - posted on 01/23/2010

I have three children and struggled with this in the beginning with all three. My biggest words of advice are to nurse, nurse, nurse. I know how time consuming this can be.... but that is the BEST way to build up your supply. It is not at all uncommon for a newborn baby to nurse every hour on the hour for awhile... this will build up your supply. Also... pumping in between nursings helps as well. A lot of women fear that this will make their breasts empty for the next nursing... but it actually is quite the opposite. Taking herbal supplements such as fenugreek and blessed thistle helped me as well. Almost immediately!! Drink PLENTY of water and make sure you are eating right. A lot of mothers are so tired they forget or don't care about eating or they are restricting food trying to lose baby weight and this will decrease your milk supply greatly. DON"T STRESS!! I know this is easier said than done... but stress is counterproductive in trying to establish a good milk supply. If this is happening past the newborn stage and you have returned to work... I suggest taking a few days off to simply nurse your baby and get your supply back up. Pumping will help while at work... but it is not the same as having the baby nurse!!

Ann - posted on 01/22/2010

fenugreek u can buy this an herb store i tried this with my daughter as my milk supply was rapidly twidling away to nothing.. after 24 hours it was back ..but one side affect is you can smell a lil,but i just stopped taken it after a week once i knew i supply was fine



also nurse,nurse,nurse as much as you can..never give formula as this just lessons milk supply ..remember you body with only produce milk if you are letting your baby feed

Pamela - posted on 01/22/2010

Yes, the old supply and demand issue. Take care of you, drink and nurse often. & Relax doing it. good luck.

Davina - posted on 01/22/2010

I was struggling with a low milk supply with my second child. Due to the flu vaccine and then the H1N1 (which my doctor has confirmed can lower supply) Also work gets so busy that I, one: don't drink enough and two: don't pump often enough. So my doctor in Portland, Maine prescribed me domperidone, which was compounded by a chemist in a pharmacy called Apothecary by Design, also in Portland, Maine. You don't have to get it from overseas and wonder what you are getting. But it is a miracle pill....my milk supply more then doubled after 5 days!!

Julie - posted on 01/21/2010

I increased my breastmilk supplies by drinking warm to hot water or hot tea. During meal time, I eat food with chicken broth -- like soup. I don't drink anything with ice in it. I snack on fruits or yogurt that I mixed nuts to it or 1 slice of bread with peanut butter and a cup of warm water after each feed. AND drink 1 cup of warm water BEFORE breastfeeding.



This has worked for me from week 1 til now, so I hope this will help you too.

Laura - posted on 01/21/2010

Drink a beer-the yeast in it really boosts your milk.I used to drink one in the morning-ish time so that I'd have more milk throughout the day. All of the supplements work too, but beer is available everywhere. Disclaimer-stop drinking if you're starting to get a buzz. Your baby would rather have formula and a sober mommy then breast milk and a mommy that might drop her/him...

Vesteen - posted on 01/21/2010

Lots of skin to skin contact, feed whenever baby wants it, and take Fenugreek. My 1st child (6 week preemie) came home with iron supplement formula which threw my milk supply off. I was exhausted, so my bfc told me to go to bed with him next to me skin 2 skin for 3 days and take Fenugreek. (and also bf first b4 I supplement). It worked! Not only was I well rested, but I got my baby to total breastfeeding and he nursed until 2 months ago at 2 years and 4 months old. Good luck moms!

Sharna - posted on 01/21/2010

well im a young mum ( only 18) and my son is 1 y/o and my tips ares eat lots of peanuts, water.tea but dont for get to eat fruit, also my mother have breast feed 9 babies and she swears by not just feeding on one side , switch sides every 25 mins , good luck x

Sharon - posted on 01/21/2010

yeast will double your milk.....beer, vegimite, what ever has yeast in it or drink it in juice? but should work and keep feeing every three hrs ...15 mins each side. every 3 hrs then your body will get into perfect feeding routine and have the milk ready for youxxxoxo

Michelle - posted on 01/20/2010

it's the brewer's yeast that helps. When I have a beer I get extremly full

Michelle - posted on 01/20/2010

drinking cow's milk doesn't help prduce milk that is such a ol wives tell. Drinking more fluids though does help

Zofia - posted on 01/20/2010

First of all: milk is produced in mind, then in breast:)

My third baby is also allergic for cow milk protein, I have to avoid products that contains milk protein (like cheese). Although my two elder children are absorbing me pretty good I keep trying to have some time for myself (for refilling). I drink a lot - water, not milk:) sleep a lot --at least as much as possible:) And keep smiling. This is my recipe.

Amber - posted on 01/20/2010

My milk supply dropped and my baby stopped gaining weight so as a result I am taking 9 fenugreek capsules a day, 6 blessed thistle capsules, and drinking mother's milk tea 3x a day. It seems to be working. Also something I have done is once he gives up feedings I still pump during that time...I nurse him at 7pm them pump at 10pm and again at 1am...call me crazy but it has been worth it! Also double pumping for about 15 min after you nurse works great...for me I had to use a hospital grade pump a regular medela just doesn't cut it for me!

Linzi - posted on 01/20/2010

Not sure if you're from the UK or US but if UK, you can get fenugreek from Holland and Barrett - it's about £8 for 100 capsules. You need to take 3 capsules, 3 times a day for about 5 days. It works because breasts are basically modified sweat glands, and fenugreek acts on your endocrine system. When you have the dose right your urine and sweat may smell like maple syrup. Don't take it if you're diabetic (it can reduce your blood sugar) or have blood pressure probs, or asthma.

Hope that helps!!

If you're from the US try any health food shop!

Linzi - posted on 01/20/2010

Up to 2 months the most important factor is the frequency of feeds. After about 2 months the most important thing is how well drained the breast is.

Try pumping for 2 minutes after you see the last drip.

Also, if you want to maximise the amount of milk you can give your baby, wear breast shells inside your bra, then when you feed the baby on one breast, the other one will have let downs too - you'll catch this milk in the shell and it wont be 'wasted' in a breast pad.

Hope that helps!

Jessica - posted on 01/20/2010

I take alfalfa pills and fennel as an essential oil- lick one drop off my hand- so far I have had plenty of milk...I was able to pump off almost 8 oz off one side doing this! My son is only 2 1/2 weeks old now and is doing the eating every 2 hrs and is draining the breast he feeds on- but he was born at 9lbs 13.5 oz so maybe thats why I am making so much, :)

Connie - posted on 01/19/2010

feed every 2-3 hrs (if your baby is under 3mo), invest in a good double pump (Medela brand or Kaiser..rent one of theirs), and remember always pump AFTER every feeding. Drink plenty of water and fluids, relax, don't worry too much. Stress and worry can decrease your milk supply.

Lauren - posted on 01/19/2010

Oatmeal helps me when it gets low. Eat some and wow!

Jessica - posted on 01/19/2010

I take alfalfa pills and fennel as an essential oil- lick one drop off my hand- so far I have had plenty of milk...I was able to pump off almost 8 oz off one side doing this! My son is only 2 1/2 weeks old now and is doing the eating every 2 hrs and is draining the breast he feeds on- but he was born at 9lbs 13.5 oz so maybe thats why I am making so much, :)

Melissa - posted on 01/19/2010

I didn't read through to see if anyone else said this, but drink some beer followed by a glass of water. Of course do it well before you plan on breastfeeding so the baby doesn't get any alcohol. If I have a beer, even if it is only half of one, I mass produce milk. Also, eat oatmeal. And don't stress because that will definitely slow production.

Nicole - posted on 01/18/2010

i have a 12 week old son. i did only breastfeeding for 8 weeks. and i think he hit a growth spurt and my milk didnt keep up and so i had to supplment with formula and to top it off he has horrible acid reflux and is on special medicine for it. so my questions is what should i do? i try to put him on boob before a bottle each time and hell do it till its done and hell start pulling on it and flalling around like hes mad its empty. and after ill squeezze a lil out but its liek 3 drops. i heard about fundegreek or however you say it and i have no clue where to get it or wat the price is any advice would be great thank you.