Low milk supply, how can i increase it?

Kate CP - posted on 03/17/2010

Pump, nurse, then pump some more. Nothing ups supply like an increase in demand. :)

Kathy - posted on 03/17/2010

How old is your baby, and what makes you think your supply is dropping? As babies get older, the supply/demand system balances itself, so you don't get engorged as much as you did in the early days. Babies oftenfeed a lot more for a few days, so it looks like they're feeding more because your supply is dropping: in reality, their feeding more to stimulate your supply. What you need to do is feed often. As Sara said, supplementing will actually decrease your supply because the baby won't feed often enough to stimulate your supply. Breast pumps don't stimulate your breasts as much as babies.

Is your baby having several wet nappies a day,some pooey ones and be putting on a bit of weight? These are indicators that he/she is getting enough.

Abbie - posted on 03/16/2010

Becareful on the fenegreek stuff. I used it and got very ill on it. I know many women have had great results from it, but if there is something else out there that works better I'd change. I hear there is a tea called Mothers tea or something. Also my lac. nurse told me to drink 1 non alcholic beer a day. There is something in the brewing process that will increase milk. You need to up your calories too. I believe a breastfeeding Mommy needs somewhere around 3500 calories of GOOD calories a day. So lots of healthy foods, fruits veggies meat not mcdonalds or gut bombs!! :)

Sarah - posted on 03/16/2010

How do you know your supply is dropping? Is baby losing weight or not getting wet or dirty nappies? After a few weeks of breastfeeding, your breasts don't feel as full, as they get used to making what's needed. I would suggest feeding on demand, even if it seems like you're feeding all the time. The problem with supplementing with formula is, the baby will take less from you and your body will make less because it thinks you don't need it. Make sure you'e eating plenty. you need about 500 calories extra a day when breastfeeding.

Courtney - posted on 03/16/2010

thanks for all the advice, im on fennugreek now and i've been drinking 5-6 litres of water a day but still feeling dehydrated, dont know whats up with that but going to keep on persisting, at least until i go crazy but hopefully my supply will pick up before that happens! thanks again everyone

Ivy - posted on 03/14/2010

Drink a lot of water! Your body needs water to keep it going and now it also needs to produce milk. Double what you are drinking now. I would drink a pint of water about 20 minutes before I would feed my baby and bring another one with me and drink while I was feeding her. Your milk drops down every few minutes.

Also your can massage your milk glands from the collar bone down to the nipple each time you go breastfeed or pump. If you do pump, the pump manufactor might recommend 5 minutes on each breast. I would pump half an hour on each side. It took me about a week to get a good milk supply going. Be persistent.

It helps to hear your baby's cry or look at pictures of your baby. It really does work, since it is will trigger a physicological response. Meaning, your baby's cry/picture will cause your instinct to produce milk as your body knows your baby needs milk.

Good luck.

Melissa - posted on 03/14/2010

IF YOU ARE USING A BREAST PUMP, EVENFLOW HAS BEEN KNOWN TO STOP MILK PRODUCTION IT DOES NOT REPRODUCE THE NATURAL SUCKING OF THE BABY MEDELA HAND PUMP WORKS WELL

Rhiannon - posted on 03/14/2010

The more you look after yourself the more it will continue, make sure you sleep properly even if you express and hubby/partner gets up so you can sleep and eat well, its the simple stuff that goes out the window with a baby that usually helps!!

Shanita - posted on 03/14/2010

there is a tea called mama's milk (most grocery stores carry this) it contains fengreek which increases your milk supply. good luck!

Amie - posted on 03/14/2010

have you tried expressing with a pump.if bubs dont mind bottles expressed milk can be frozen or re-fridgerated as you would no..try doing it infront of a warm door or window with direct sunlight on your breasts..it can get messy so make sure something is covering the other nipple.and in a warm shower with warm running water over your breast and massage down so it is drawing milk down to the nipple give it a couple of days..n i used blackmores pregnancy and breestfeeding vitamins..hope that works for you :)

Victoria - posted on 03/14/2010

Just feeding should increase your supply. The more you feed the more milk you'll produce. The more you comp feed with formula the less your baby will want to feed from you. And water, drink lots of water. If you're still worried, go see your doctor, there are meds that can increase your supply. And remember, your milk supply is constantly changing so please persist, your doing a great job!