I need to produce more breastmilk

~Jennifer - posted on 01/16/2010

Thank you for your replies to this question.

Mhairi-Therese - posted on 01/16/2010

My son is four months now and im breastfeeding, i breast fed all three. When your baby is born you should feed him/her on demand which for a new baby if breastfed can be every 20-30 minutes for the first week, which is exhausting i know ive been there. but if you plan on using a pump at some sage you should never use it before your baby isthree weeks old at least, i waited 6 weeks just to be sure, to make sure that breast feeding is well established and he doesnt get too attahced to the bottle, and will prefer to be breastfed and cuddledby mummy. If you pump before three weeks you have a higher chance of drying up, and if you plan on continuing breastfeeding, if you get engorged ladies never ever use cabbage leaves, this Will dry your supply up, its great for when your in pain with engorgement, but pump rather than use cabbage. but dont pump unless you really nee to before 3 weeks. After this if you have pumpe nd you think you may be drying up you will need to do what you did at the early stages of babies life and feed every hour if possible, this tells your brain baby needs more and will eventually produce more milk. If you do combination feeding try not to leave baby without breast milk for too long as your brain will register that its no longer needed and dry up. If you wish to pump, Breast feed baby in the morning first, then pump afterwards, you produce more milk in the morning as you have had time to rest and regain your milk reserves, your body should tell you if your milk is coming in again, i get this electrical shot feeling running down my chest and if i dont feed or pump my breasts get sore, and im now combination feeding. It could be different for you though. Dont do all your pumping in one go, take a hand portable pump with you and pump when you feel your milk coming in if you cant feed baby yourself or our at work. Also your baby may chose a favourite side, my son likes the left and only the left, if this happens to you try holding him in a rigby hold and try him on the side he doesnt prefer so much this will fool him into feeding off this side. Hope all goes well for you

Melissa - posted on 01/12/2010

use warm cloths on your breasts and this should help production move a bit better. This is what my public health nurse suggested and it worked! good luck and dont forget to drain!

Jessica - posted on 01/12/2010

I had the same problem, though it was when my son was 7 mos. old, but I pumped the whole time because he couldn't suck due to a cleft palate. I tried fenugreek, but it didn't seem to work. My doctor actually told me to drink one beer every day (for the hops, I think), and it did help a bit. Of course, you'd want to ask your doc before trying this, but it's worth asking about, and maybe try fenugreek, and breastfeeding more regularly, or even pumping one breast while you nurse with the other at the same time. Good luck! If nothing works, don't get down; at least you give as much as you can!!

Kristi - posted on 01/08/2010

Oatmeal! Eat oatmeal cookies (I have a recipe that includes the recommended Brewer's Yeast & Flaxseed Meal- if you'd like it), oatmeal for breakfast, etc. I noticed an immediate difference so I try to get at least one serving per day. Also, like everyone has said- make sure you are drinking enough water. I'm taking Reglan as well.

Vanessa - posted on 01/08/2010

I read a lot of recommendations to take fenugreek herbal supplements but skimming through I didn't see anyone suggest blessed thistle. I tried the two together, as recommended by the breastfeeding clinic at the hospital where I gave birth to my 4 children and it worked for me to increase milk supply. They also of course said you have to drink lots of water with it and it does make your urine smell funny! As for pumping, I found it easiest to pump from one side just before your baby is due for a feeding and just feed baby from the other. Then at the next feeding, switch sides. I agree with a few others that if you only pump at a specific time of the day, your body adjusts to that and will not produce extra milk at other times. Pumping is a lot of work though!

Jessica - posted on 01/07/2010

Quoting Kelli:

I need to produce more breastmilk

When my milk came in I was super engorged and pumped the extra out for a few days. I stopped pumping and now a few weeks later I have started again but cant seem to make enough to store any. When is a good time to pump and how often so I can have enough for my son but also make extra to store?

Try to take Fenugreek you can get it at Atkin's health food store and it increases breast milk supply It works for me-Good Luck

Myrna - posted on 01/06/2010

increase your fuluid intake eat heathy meals that include barly pump after you feeding the baby

Myrna - posted on 01/06/2010

increase your fuluid intake eat heathy meals that include barly pump after you feeding the baby

Frances - posted on 01/04/2010

some things i do if my son is sleeping n its time for a feeding i go ahead n pump n let him stay sleepin i also try to pump at least once in the middle of the night.someone told me to drink a large glass of water before i pmp n its suppose to help the milk flow

Becky - posted on 01/04/2010

Hello! I'm a mother of 2 & breastfed them both for 15 months. The morning was always the best time to pump for me. You could feed your son & then pump the remaining & you will have enough for him at the next feeding. I think the hardest thing is people get frustrated because we can't tell how much our babies get from the breast, but they have tiny little stomachs & don't need a lot. You could always give a little formula to start your storage, but try a pumping in b/w a feeding first. I always ate oatmeal in the morning while breastfeeding, lots of liquids. Fenugreek I have taken, but never until the end when I felt I wasn't pumping as much. Once you get a couple saved up you'll see just how much you can pump & store. Good luck & don't get frustrated!

Michelle - posted on 01/04/2010

Yes fenugreek works a treat!!! Also express off when you have the most milk which is at your 7am feed and 10am feed. It will just take a few days for your milk supply to increase again. With Fenugreek I took it 3 times a day with food at meal time - good luck!

Debi - posted on 01/03/2010

They sell silicone breast pads that you can put in the microwave and place them on your breast to help produce milk, it worked wonders for me. They sell them at Babies R Us or any other baby store. These pads also work wonders when you're trying to dry up. There are directions on the box!

April - posted on 01/03/2010

Hot Showers !

April - posted on 01/03/2010

Hot Showers !!!

April - posted on 01/03/2010

Hot Showers !!!

Nadia - posted on 01/03/2010

My daughter is 1 year and 3 months old and I'm still breast feeding! :) The secret is to drink plenty of water each day (at least 3 liters) and eat nuts or legumes. I found that almonds, peanuts, cashews, and veggies like french beans helped a lot. I also found that eating tuna (like in a sandwich) helped me to produce more milk. Also, pump your milk at the same times everyday so that your body becomes accustomed to producing milk only at those times. Now I only produce milk on demand (only when my baby wants to suckle).

Maria - posted on 01/03/2010

If you drink a little like one soda not much. I drank one regular coke a day for the 27 months of nursing and it had no noticeable effect

Julie - posted on 01/03/2010

I breastfed two children for a total of 4 years combined. Drink lots of water, other drinks did not help me produce as much as water. Also I found that pumping in the morning on one side and feeding my son on the other side worked well most days. Somedays he was still hungry and ate on both sides but I let him eat and then pumped out anything that was left. Breastmilk works on supply and demand so the more he eats and you pump the more you will produce in upcoming days.

Emma - posted on 01/03/2010

I breastfed my daughter for 8 months,I didnt really pump though as she wouldnt take a bottle as I kept her exclusive to breast feeding too long I think!

I was always told to drink plenty of water though as breastfeeding makes you really thirsty anyway you will probably feel like you want to drink more, try to avoid caffine though.

Also have a healty diet plenty of fruit and veg, you cant really make your body produce more milk, it just produces what your baby needs.

I always found my breasts were really full when I first woke up so i'd do it then one at a time, you'd be suprised how much you can get just from that first morning pump!

Then i'd just do it whenever you feel a bit full, remember you shouldn't store milk for that long anyway so by the time you've fed the feeds you pumped earlier you'll be ready to pump again, I found it only took about half hour normally before I had milk again!

I wouldnt take any pills or supliments or anything though to help, you shouldnt need it, its not natural, nature knows what to do and it will just happen without all that kind of thing!x

Gerardine Helen - posted on 01/03/2010

just eat lots of green leafy vegetables. ... i have tried it and it really work. plus green leafy veggies are rich in folate which helps a lot in developing the baby's brain.

Louise - posted on 01/03/2010

Your body will respond to the amount of stimulation it receives, so the more baby feeds the more milk you will produce, the same goes for pumping, it may take a day or so for more to build up but it won't take long. The best time apparently is after your bub has finished having a feed as this ensures that he gets enough first. Remember that bub is the best at getting the milk out so when you express it never ends up being quite as much as what they can do themselves so don't be too hard on yourself! A great place to find out more information is the Australian breastfeeding association website which has forums and information on this subject www.breastfeeding.asn.au or another one is the la leache league which is based in Canada. I hope this helps, good luck and you are doing a great job!

Chinggay - posted on 01/03/2010

the law of supply & demand comes in. the more your child suckles, the more you produce breastmilk. don't stress out, it will be back. btw, congratulations on being a breastfeeding mom!

Rhonda - posted on 01/03/2010

I was told to pump after I feed him. I didn't try it, because I don't work and didn't need to store any. I also used mothers tea at GNC to help my milk supply

Rhonda - posted on 01/03/2010

I was told to pump after I feed him. I didn't try it, because I don't work and didn't need to store any. I also used mothers tea at GNC to help my milk supply

Jennifer - posted on 01/02/2010

fenugreek! i thinks that's how you spell it..... herbal suppliment. works great!

Ashley - posted on 01/02/2010

I was going to suggest fenugreek as well. You can find it (sometimes) in liquid form... You add a few drops to a glass of water and it really helps! You can add it to most any liquid, not really a distinct taste!

Ashley - posted on 01/02/2010

I was going to suggest fenugreek as well. You can find it (sometimes) in liquid form... You add a few drops to a glass of water and it really helps! You can add it to most any liquid, not really a distinct taste!

Julie - posted on 01/02/2010

Well I'm not an expert pumper, but I did nurse 6 babies. The more frequently you nurse the more milk you'll produce. With my first one, once she was sleeping though the night, I found that 5 a.m. when I'd gone all night without nursing and it was a couple hours before I would need to nurse her, was when I could pump the most milk. Other times of the day I was not so successful. Also I would ask what kind of pump you have. I had a cheap Gerber electric pump which was not very effective and did not mimic nursing. When I had my 6th baby and she had breastfeeding jaundice and was so sleepy she couldn't latch on very well, my sister sent me her $250.00 Medela pump so I could pump both sides at the same time and I couldn't believe the difference in how fast and how much milk I was able to express. The doctor had me pumping after each time I nursed and then giving her what I pumped because when she was so sleepy it was easier for her to get my milk from the bottle. She was also premature which made it hard for her to nurse. I also recently heard that you don't produce as much milk with the first and that with each baby your body produces more milk, but I really think the quality of the pump is the biggest thing. You could try pumping after your baby nurses to get any excess milk your baby didn't need. Even if you don't get enough milk with one pumping you can add layers of fresh milk to already frozen breast milk until you get enough for a full feeding and I've found when it thaws it all mixes just fine as if it came from one session. Anyway hope this helps. Good luck. Nursing can be hard and at times frustrating, but it's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in my life.

Rachel - posted on 01/02/2010

The best time to pump is about 15 minutes after your baby's first morning feed. I'll warn you: your breasts are now "tuned" to let down to a baby's suckle, not to a breast pump. Don't be discouraged if you get less than an ounce for your several first pumping sessions - some women only get a few drops! Give it time, relax, have a big glass of water, take lecithin to help with clogged ducts, do breast massage if you need to help things along.

Try all the different foods for boosting your supply. Some women have had great success with things like fenugreek; some haven't noticed a difference. What helped me was having a big steak dinner the night before. I was so full the next morning it was ridiculous. Every woman's mammaries are different! Good luck!

Krystal - posted on 01/02/2010

I pumped after feeds. I would only get maybe 30 ml total...but hey, an ounce is an ounce! I'd stick it in a freezer bag, and add it to the collection! I would also get up a pump at night on the rare occasion he slept for a long stretch and my boobs got full.



Also...remember BF is all supply and demand, the more you BF or pump, the more milk you will make :-)

Christy - posted on 01/02/2010

The fenugreek is wonderful and was highly recommended by my pediatrician, she said also having the "occasional" stout beer seems to help women produce milk. I bought a tea at the health food store called "mother's milk" that was also highly recommended! The only caution w/ the fenugreek is that ur body puts off a maple syrup smell. But, it definently works. With my 1st and 3rd children I struggled w/ milk production, and had to suppliment w/ formula. When I pumped, I hardly got anything, and was unable to nurse the full yr w/ either one. But, my 2nd child nursed until she was 3 1/2 and I coulda fed a third world country w/ all the milk I produced! It was so strange, but I guess sometimes it happens that way! Just do the best u can, stay positive, and definently don't let it get u down! GOOD LUCK

Anna - posted on 01/02/2010

plz visit www.kellymom.com

is a great resouce for BFing moms. :0)

at 6 wks post=partom (sp?) your breast produce milk by "on demand" meaning, the more you nurse, the more they will produce, the less you nurse/pump the less they will produce. so if you want to produce more, nurse nurse nurse and pump more. if you want to produce less, do not skip nursing your baby, but skip a pump session or two. :0)

Jen - posted on 01/02/2010

Hey, Blessed Thisle and Fenugreek and fantastic and will increase your milk supply quickly!! They are a natural suppliment that you can buy at any Health Food Store or even the grocery store.

MATTIE - posted on 01/02/2010

well love, i breast feed myself and had the same problem..i would start and stop. so i didn't make enough milk to pump so had to use formual.. so if ur milk is comming in when he sleep's pump then..but if it isn't i really don't know..

Kathy - posted on 01/02/2010

Pump during and/or after the first feed of the morning. Your milk production works on "supply and demand" principles -- if you "demand" more milk from your body, you will produce more. I pumped for a friend's adopted baby when my baby was several weeks old so can tell you what I did.



Because my baby was only nursing from one side at a time (due to oversupply issues), I started pumping on the other side while he was nursing. If your baby seems to be needing all of your milk now, then you may want to wait until after he's completely full to start pumping for storage. Anyway, after my baby finished eating, I kept on pumping, even if I only got an ounce, or even if I only got a few drops, because the important thing is the breast/nipple stimulation and emptying your breasts, which signals to your body to make more milk. It takes some time to build up, and the amount of time you may be able to devote to it may vary, but I was able to sit and pump for 30-60 minutes after nursing, and was able to completely breastfeed my baby plus pump several ounces for my friend's baby. At first it was only a few ounces per day, but I was able to build up my supply over the course of several weeks until I was pumping 20+ ounces every day, mostly in that one morning session.



You may not have a single bloc of time to devote to it, and may find that pumping 15 minutes after every time you nurse will work out better for you. Having a good quality pump will also help.

Shannon - posted on 01/02/2010

when i personally was trying to up my milk supply, i would breastfeed first, then when i was empty, i would pump - i was told that it would tell my body that i needed more (the longer you let baby nurse the more you make thing). i would pump for up to an hour sometimes with little sucsess. my sister told me that what i should have done was feed, then wait about an hour then pump for no longer then 20 min.! then continue with the next feed as usual. my friend also swears by the blessed thisle and fengreek supplements.

Shannon - posted on 01/02/2010

Eat oatmeal.

Julia - posted on 01/02/2010

Hello, some good advice here, someone said something about diet, lol, of course its important what you eat, it always is, regardless of whether you are breastfeeding or not, a healthy diet is important for everyone to maintain good health & lots of energy.

A very good herb for producing more breast milk is Milk thistle, also very good for the liver, Milk thisle will help produce lots of milk, will also help when you are engorged. (Use cabbage leaf in your bra as well if you are engorged). Find a local Herbalist who will be able to advice you on quantities. ps, Rasberry leaf as well as other herbs should never ever be taken without consulting a Herbalist! Best of Luck Luv xxx

Vicky - posted on 01/02/2010

try Fenugreek & sustagen but i hear lots of mums say this- how much milk do you want to have stored? if you are only feeding 1 baby why do you need litres & litres in the freezer that may never be used? its not a competition on how much every one can produce as long as your baby is satisfied with the feeds & putting on weight. unless you need milk for the purpose of going back to work or having them looked after by another person trying to produce more breastmilk just stresses you out so relax & feed more often if you want more milk & always call the Australian Breastfeeding Association line for great advice!

Danielle - posted on 01/02/2010

go to your doctor she can give you meds that are not harmful to either of you and will help you to produce more

Lequita - posted on 01/02/2010

you should try to pump in between feedings. also try to keep yourself calm because that changes how much milk you produce. don't be concerned if only manage to pump one or two ounces when you pump. that is just fine.

Chris - posted on 01/02/2010

In addition to what the other moms have said, try adding some orange juice to your diet. You need that extra vitamin C to help you produce the milk. I pumped exclusively b/c of my DS's medical issues, and I had to do it about every two hrs to feed him and have some to spare. But I didn't feed from the breast. I would say 2 to 3 hrs draining your breasts--fenugreek worked wonderfully for me; I had lots of production issues--either from the kiddo feeding or pumping. Good luck!

Jeniffer - posted on 01/02/2010

The best way is after u nurse to pump because baby has made the flow. I use 2 go to la lechhe leauge its a great place to get info also I use mothers milk tea 2 or more cups a day works great with a little honey or sugar.

Jeniffer - posted on 01/02/2010

Quoting Kelli:

I need to produce more breastmilk

When my milk came in I was super engorged and pumped the extra out for a few days. I stopped pumping and now a few weeks later I have started again but cant seem to make enough to store any. When is a good time to pump and how often so I can have enough for my son but also make extra to store?

Jessica - posted on 01/01/2010

everyones body is different..... with my 3rd child i was feeding just fine for the first month then my milk decreased to almost nothing... i kept pumpin about every hour and my milk came back and after i stoped breast feeding i didn't think my milk would ever dry up

Patricia - posted on 01/01/2010

Hello - I'm sure this has all been said but



A and most important, talk to a lactation consultant. Le Leche or a IBCLC. Epecially before taking herbs and such. There should be someone in your area.



Things I've heard from my consultants.



A It is important to have a good pump.

B If your baby is content after one side, pump the other. I am a SAHM but I did this anyway and have a days worth of stores in the freezer. Came in handy when I needed surgery.

C Pump in the morning, even after your baby has eaten. My four month old will eat like a champ in the morning and sometimes I can pump a 4.5 ounce bottle (and my pump is crap)

D Foods to eat that naturally up production - Almonds, Alaphfa Sprouts, Oatmeal (real not the instant stuff) and Oveltine (well drink)



Good luck!

Kristahiri - posted on 01/01/2010

Usually you will get a lot in the morning, also drink lots of fluids and eat it will help you keep and produce more milk. If you put your baby to the breast you will produce more they are better at extracting milk than any pumping will ever be.

Pam - posted on 01/01/2010

Hi,

The breast feeding specialist nurse I saw told me that you should express both breasts at the same time every 3 hours to keep up your milk supply, (I'm only expressing as my son won't latch on properly). She's also told me to take 3 FENUGREEK herbal capsules 3 times a day as it promotes milk supply. Also, you produce better milk at night so its worth getting up during the night to express!!

All the best,

Pam

Kristin - posted on 01/01/2010

I found that if I pumped one side while I was feeding on the other, I had the best luck at getting enough milk to store. I usually could get a few ounces this way and by the end of the day, I would have almost a bottle and a half that I could freeze to save for later.