Breastfeeding : How to increase your milk supply

<< Back to Health Topics

A mother’s breasts are uniquely able to produce enough milk to supply all of your new baby’s nutrition and hydration needs. In general, the more your baby nurses, the more milk you will make. If she latches on often and well and empties your breasts effectively, you should be able to maintain an adequate supply of breast milk. There are however several situations that can result in a low breast milk supply in some moms, which may become apparent by poor weight gain or an increased fussiness and inability to satisfy your baby with nursing.

Common causes of low milk supply include:

• a non-demanding (easy) or sleepy baby who does not nurse vigorously or frequently
• trouble establishing an effective latch, which leads to poor emptying of your breasts
• regularly supplementing with formula
• regular use of a nipple shield
• separation from your baby in the first weeks after delivery, whether due to post-partum complications or illness

Ways to increase your milk supply

One of the most important things to do if your milk supply is low is to RELAX. This is a fairly common problem and in most moms can be well managed and quickly corrected.

• Initial management includes a visit to a lactation consultant or breastfeeding support group, where the baby’s latch can be observed and evaluated. Often, just correcting baby’s latch will allow for better emptying of the breast and resolution of the problem.
• Breastfeed your baby more frequently and nurse on both sides at each feeding. Allow your baby to finish the first side completely, then offer the second side. Let baby, not the clock, signal the end of nursing by sucking less vigorously or falling off the breast
• Sleepy babies often do well with “switch” feedings: switching back and forth between each breast twice as their suck starts to slow.
• Drink plenty of fluids – ideally a minimum of 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Now is not the time to try to lose the baby weight.
• Rent a hospital-grade or near-hospital-grade double-barrel electric pump, available at local hospitals or from area Marsh grocery stores and some CVS pharmacies. Plan to pump 3 to 4 times a day. Don’t worry about volume; you are pumping to stimulate your breasts and signal them to make more milk.
• There are several naturally occurring galactogogues, or substances that induce milk production. This is certainly not a comprehensive list but probably includes the most popular. Not all of these are scientifically proven but most have some anecdotal support and many moms swear by them:

• Fenugreek: an herb used to flavor maple syrup (which by the way is what you will smell like if you are taking enough of it). Available in most vitamin and health food stores. Take 2 capsules 3 times a day. You should see results within a week. Do NOT take while pregnant.
• Blessed thistle: another herbal supplement. Not as effective as fenugreek but often taken in conjunction with it. Also available in vitamin and health food stores. Take 2 capsules 3 times a day.
• Mother’s milk tea: a blend of herbs. Available in health food stores.
• Oatmeal
• Hops (yes, as in beer). Use judiciously.
• Others include fennel, raspberry leaf, alfalfa

• For some mothers, an obstetrician can prescribe Reglan or domperidone. These are gastrointestinal medications with a side effect of inducing lactation. They are not used very often but can be quite effective.

<< Back to Health Topics