Tips for Increasing supply safely while pregnant.

Puddles03

What can I eat or take to increase my supply for my nursing baby while pregnant? I have passed the 9 week hormone dip that some people talk about but feel like my supply has dropped a lot. Ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated! TIA!!!

orangecurls

Lots of fluids, protein and whole grains.

I am crossing my fingers for you, but for me, nothing I did increased my supply. My baby was hungry, screaming at the breast and eating a lot more solids. I ended up supplementing with formula when he stopped gaining weight. Do watch your baby's diapers and hungry cues.

Puddles03

Thank you @orangecurls, diapers are good (but only because she is eating solids) and I feed every time she gets fussy or signals for food.

wintersong

Honestly there may not be much you can do...the issue is hormonal. Progesterone tends to suppress prolactin (did I express that right?) so there may be a limit to what you can do.

I would advise against using any herbal things unless you get the ok from your ob/midwife. Some are not safe for pregnancy.

How old is your baby?

ETA When dhand i started ttc, I talked to the pediatrician aboutlo's nutrition just in case I got knocked up right away. Maybe a conversation with the pedi will help to set your mind at ease/clarify what your lo should be eating?

Puddles03

My LO is 14 months. We don't have a pedi (I'm in Canada and unless your child has issues we don't get specialists) and my/our doctor is not supportive of bfing in general but I haven't found one that really is, I have tried three in the last couple years. LO is mostly doing it for comfort I guess now as she does it solids but she is getting frustrated that she is not able to get as much now.

ladythrice

Puddles03 said:

My LO is 14 months. We don't have a pedi (I'm in Canada and unless your child has issues we don't get specialists) and my/our doctor is not supportive of bfing in general but I haven't found one that really is, I have tried three in the last couple years. LO is mostly doing it for comfort I guess now as she does it solids but she is getting frustrated that she is not able to get as much now.

My LO is just over 12 months and is nursing purely for comfort at this point (I'm also pregnant right now). Nutritionally, he doesn't 'need' to nurse because he's a big solids eater. I guarantee my supply is non-existent but we still nurse in the mornings and evenings and sometimes before naps. Unless nursing/BM was your LO's sole/primary source of nutrition she is likely just fine nursing when she wants and eating solids the rest of the day. I wouldn't stress too much about boosting your supply!