What can I drink to increase my milk supply???

Erin - posted on 05/27/2010

I think that all the other advice from moms has been really brilliant and encouraging! I can add a couple herbal suggestions as I have a background in herbology.



Fenugreek is a lactogogue, which means it encreases milk supply.

Blessed Thistle increases glandular tissue.

Red clover and Burdock root are great blood purifiers so are good for treating or preventing infections like Mastitis.

Nettle is great for vitamin and mineral content, particularly high in Vitamin K which the baby gets from breastmilk.

I've also seen marshmallow root in some premade Nursing teas at health food stores and think this may also be helpful for keeping the ducts free flowing and cases like Mastitis.



You can usually find herbs sold dried in bulk in health food type stores, and commonly a nursing formula will be premade. I have heard Traditional Medicinals and Bell are good companys for their nursing tea but haven't tried either myself.



Again though, the other moms have a good point that there might not even be a low supply problem and that frequent breastfeeding and staying hydrated are probably the first things you should try.

Elissa - posted on 05/27/2010

The only fluid necessary for you milk production is water. Drink water or diluted juice when feeding and make sure you are drinking at least 1.5litres per day. For the first couple of months 100ml is a good amount to express and if given this in a bottle it will satisfy them. It wasn't until my baby was about 4 - 5 months that it went up to about 200 ml or so - depending! It often seems little because formula suggestions are so much higher but that is because most of formula is bulk, not nutrition and because formula babies are usually way overfed (hence the higher obesity and diabetes levels). You seems to have a good supply and if baby is happy, putting on weight and wetting regularly, don't worry about it. 100ml is something to be proud of!

Emma - posted on 05/27/2010

Your milk comes in on supply and demand so the more often your baby suckles the more milk you produce. If your pumping and using bottles your supply will become less and less as your breast is not stimulated in the same way as a baby does. When nursing always have a glass of water, milk or fruit juice to hand. You should notice that you become thirsty when nursing. Never let yourself dehydrate.

Sophie - posted on 05/27/2010

drink lots of soup and lots of tea with cocoa they rily help

Kathy - posted on 05/27/2010

Why do you feel she isn't getting enough milk? Celeste's comments are spot on - put her to the breast as often as she wants, check that she's having about 6-8 wet nappies a day and some pooey ones, and is putting on weight.
As Celeste has said, pumping is never an indication of how much milk your breasts are making.

Although many mums swear by various herbs and additives, these won't make much difference if you're not putting your baby to the breast frequently. If your baby needs more to drink, she'll want to feed more often to increase your supply. Clever little things, those babies!

Celeste - posted on 05/27/2010

How are you determining that you have a supply issue? Are you putting her to the breast? If you are, how are her diaper counts? Meeting milestones?? If so, you don't have a supply problem. Pumping is never an indicator of supply