Increasing milk production...

Re: Increasing milk production...

• KelleyA

  August 2010

  I know he's sleeping longer at night...are you getting up and pumping?  That's a great way to get extra milk, the stuff he doesn't need.

  Also consider feeding on one side and pumping on the other side...at the same time if possible.  I get more milk when I do this than when I straight up pump, J's natural suction helps my let down and enables me to get more without the work. 
  

  Eat oatmeal (cookies count too), it naturally helps increase your supply.

  For many people (not all) milk supply is highest in the morning.  Drink a big glass of water and try pumping about 45 minutes after a mid-morning nursing session.  

  Hope this helps!
  

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• ddr262

  August 2010

  Ditto PP. Also, make sure to keep your water intake up (I get in at least 100 oz/day). Lastly, I had success with More Milk Plus capsules when my supply took a hit after being sick. You can get them at Whole Foods.

  

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• kreeper611 member

  August 2010

  I have tried it all. I got consistent results from Mothers Milk Tea 3x a day. I can say that I pumped 5 times daily to get the 18 oz we sent. I would pump 3x at work, tight after my AM feeding and right before bed. When I knew I was going oot I got up at 2am for weeks on the weekend to build my stash. Now I can't even pump 10oz each day so we are for sure having to supplement. It took a few weeks to get the hang of it, but you'll get there.

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• SageBeginnings

  August 2010

  Hey there, I ditto the other posters.

   

  Other ideas, if your babe is using a pacifier, I recommend GET RID OF IT (at least for awhile). Instead, for about 5-7 days, have him /her use you as a paci. This continuous nipple stimulation will naturally encourage your body to relactate quite a bit.

  If you don't use a paci, but do pump quite a bit, I recommend to stop pumping as much as possible. The reason is, when baby nurses, a little of his/her saliva is left over on the nipple. This saliva is absorbed by the nip and your body breaks down that saliva to know what baby needs more of...

  example: baby getting a cold? Your next nursing will contain more antibodies, baby growing? Your next nursing will have more milk with extra fats. If you have been primarily pumping, it is common for milk production to decrease because your body thinks it is still nursing a younger baby and that it is only getting 'reads on' baby every so often rather than regularly.

  Make sure that you aren't using scheduled feedings, as this can upset your bodies cues to create milk according to babies needs. Feed on demand as much as possible, even if it means a little more time of nursing. Also, let baby decide when they are done, don't initiate the latch break. Your hind milk, the last milk baby gets, is the fattiest and triggers a fuller production for the next feeding. Many women can increase their milk supply by letting babe suckle for about 5 extra minutes of nursing, in about a day or two.
  

   Nutritionally -  if you are dieting, that can decrease your milk supply. You need AT LEAST 500 calories JUST to be creating adequate milk supply for a baby to have 6 meals of 8 oz of milk a day.. this doesn't even take into account your body burning calories by walking, standing, exercising, etc...

  You can make sure you have these calories in one easy way by starting every morning with old fashioned cooked oatmeal made with 2% milk.
  

  Herbal supplements have been found to be GREATLY successful in helping with lactation (although you mentioned it didn't help you). Some herbs that you can use if you are interested in looking into herbal tinctures:
  

  • Fenugreek (try the tincture form if you haven't.. it tends to be more potent and effective).
    • elevates prolactin levels
    • generally regard as safe in usual amounts
    • one person has had good results with recommending that moms take one capsule at each nursing
    • standard dosage is 2-4 capsules, 3 times a day
    
    
  • Red Raspberry Leaf
    • aids milk ejection reflex by increasing oxytocin
    
    
  • Goat's Rue can help to increase milk supply if your breast size didn't increase with initial lactation.
    
  • Fennel (again, try the tincture form)
    • estrogenic effects
    • increases milk supply
    
    
  • There is a specific tincture that I recommend here.

   Here is additional information if you wanted some more ideas. I hope that this gives you an armory to start making more milk!   good luck!

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• rayskit10 member

  August 2010

  Well, one of the best ways to increase supply is skip the bottle as much as you can and nurse, nurse, nurse.

  MOther's milk tea has really helped my nanny, who exclusively pumps, and her baby is 8 mos old.  

  Having oatmeal for breakfast will help and drink a lot of water. 

  

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