Suggestions for milk increase while pregnant???

Sheila - posted on 08/14/2009

Did you take a decongestant? I "had" to, and took one that was safe, but it dimished my milk supply to 1oz each feeding (I tried pumping to see how much would come out), and I was nursing every hour around the clock for a week to get it back to normal. One day it just came back in full force! Also, when you stress over not producing much milk, it diminishes. Are you relaxed? (What a question - who REALLY gets to relax w/ a munchkin(s) hanging out?

Etta - posted on 08/14/2009

You might try pumping to increase your milk. Also drink lots of water and some foods might help. Foods with good fats like fish, almonds (almond milk, almond butter) and yams.

Diana -n Craig - posted on 08/14/2009

Hi there,

Oatmeal is said to increase supply, so maybe start having some oats for breakfast. Also, if you drink too much water it will negatively effect your milk supply. Rule of thumb, when you go pee, you shouldn't be able to tell that you did.........use that as your guide for your liquid intake.

Metformin (a prescription) is often used to increase milk supply and is safe during pregnancy. I started taking is a couple months ago after I got sick and it has helped my supply. My baby is 10 months old and I plan to take it until she weans somewhere after 12 months.

Most of all, don't give up! It will come back. Give your child lots of chances to nurse and try not to stress about it. www.llli.org has more answers and phone numbers to talk to lactation consultants.

Jessica - posted on 08/14/2009

I'm 14 weeks and my little girl is still going strong with nursing...even though my milk is practically gone. I've started thawing my vast supply of frozen milk to supplement her during the day. From what I've heard, there's nothing to be done...most kids will wean because milk goes away and changes flavor. I'm secretly hoping my 22 month old does wean...feeding her has become incredibly painful.

Katie - posted on 08/14/2009

thanks for saying this was helpful, Nevar! i hope you ask your doc, or at least try it after you have your baby and are nursing him/her! it truly does work!

Katie - posted on 08/14/2009

hi there! i'm not sure about how safe it is to try "increases" while pregnant, but when i was nursing (and not pregnant) i was drinking this tea that made my milk come in like a flood! It's called Mother's Milk. you can get it at any health food store or any grocery store where they have an organic section or specialy tea section. it says to drink 3-5 cups a day to have results, but it worked so well i could only drink ONE cup EVERY OTHER day!!! it worked like a charm and i didn't worry about not having milk anymore. but since you're pregnant you may want to check w/ your doc first, that way you won't take any nutrients/energy away from your developing babe! :)

Natalie - posted on 08/11/2009

Hi Nevar,
I continued to breastfeed my daughter while I was pregnant.I had really bad morning sickness,so I just made sure I drunk ALOT of water.I dont know of any drugs or hebal things to recommend but I know water helped me.You may find your little one gets a bit funny for a while as your milk will change in taste and amount but if you perservre you should be ok.If you know of any reputable health stores,maybe call tham and ask if there is anything you can take that may help increase your milk.

Oh and an awesome thing if you can keep feeding is when your bubba arrives your milk is pretty much there for them already!!Im tandem feeding my 18month and 6month old daughters and its great.

Let me know if theres anything else I can do to help :)

Good luck and congratulations!

Stefanie - posted on 08/11/2009

You cannot take fenugreek or blessed thistle, they are dangerous while pregnant. There really isn't anything you can do for your supply, it dropped from a hormonal change. When you are pregnant your body produces extra estrogen, estrogen counteracts the prolactin hormone your body makes while breastfeeding that signals your body to make more milk.

I'm in your boat, DS won't just wait around for milk to come when he is hungry so we have to do formula since he is only 9 months old. He will keep nursing at night, so I'm counting on that to make it to when my colostrum comes in and then to when the baby is born. I plan on tandem feeding.

Chelsea - posted on 08/10/2009

Having a decrease in your supply while pregnant is completely normal. I would talk with a lactation consultant about safe option.

Claire - posted on 08/10/2009

I found that my milk decreased a fair bit whilst pregnant anyway and my son weaned himself when I got to 7 months because he couldnt be bothered to wait around. I tried drinking a pint of water every hour which helped but I think he didn't much like thetaste of it. Hope it all works out

Theresa - posted on 08/09/2009

have you checked with your dr about fenugreek or blessed thistle?