Milk Supply Feels low

Lindsay - posted on 04/01/2009

Fenugreek has definitely increased my supply without increasing the frequency of nursing sessions. I started taking 2 capsules once a day just before going back to work (when I had to start pumping). I still nurse 6-8 times per day, but have to pump 3 times and the fenugreek has helped to keep my supply up (my supply dropped when I started pumping for my first child, so I wanted to avoid that the second time around!). Of course, the other posts are right - if he's not screaming because he's hungry, he's getting enough.

Sarah - posted on 03/23/2009

Hi Jennifer, i fed my daughter for 15 months (she stopped herself...i was bereft!!) a few pointers someone gave me.

drink plenty.

eat well

rest well

you can feed for years, ever heard of 'wet nurses'? BUT a tried and tested trick is full fat coke!!!!! yep, full fat, no holds barred, no caffeine free, no diet, no pepsi, just regular old fashionned COKE. the one in the red bottle!!!

told to me by my health visitor who is old and wise....it worked for me any how....lol

your babe suckling will increase supply hun, if he is happy why shouldn't you be?

Jennifer - posted on 02/07/2009

even if ur milk feels low baby will drink more if they need to increase ur suply don't worry about suply

Mary Jane - posted on 02/06/2009

It's normal to not feel full once your baby has gotten onto a consistent schedule of nursing and eating solids. If he isn't acting hungry or frustrated at the breast then I wouldn't stress over it.

Celeste - posted on 01/27/2009

As long as he's having plenty of wet diapers (6-8) your supply is probably fine! Just make sure you nurse before solids.

Cara - posted on 01/25/2009

i was told it is very supply and demand driven, so the less he eats, the less your body will make.  it will be enough though.  if you chose to feed him more often it will go up again.  they say to wean slowly and not to stop cold turkey because it will help you avoid engorement.  its amazing what the human body does.  as  long as he is gaining weight appropraitely and seems satisfied after he feeds from the breast, there is no need to worry!

Emily - posted on 01/22/2009

Your milk supply will decrease when baby starts on solids because you've just replaced some of those feedings with solid food. One thing you can do to boost your supply is to continue to nurse right before a solid food meal. Before a year solids are more for fun and for learning about food, rather than nutrition. Because milk supply is mostly a supply and demand thing, herbal remedies and other dietary suggestions to help boost your supply won't do much if the baby isn't nursing as frequently. The beginning of solids is usually the beginning of the weaning process... even though this process can go on for many months or years (my 2 1/2 year old is still nursing about once a day).

In my experience, most moms do not "just dry up" unless they're pregnant. Otherwise, milk is still there as baby asks for it, and often milk will still be there for a few days, weeks or months after baby has weaned.