10 Ways to Increase Breast Milk Supply

Image by Raphael Goetter on Flickr

When my children were babies I pumped breast milk for them since neither of them would latch properly. I just couldn’t get the hang of the whole breastfeeding thing and apparently neither could they. But I still wanted them to have all of the benefits of breast milk even though I couldn’t breast feed. We settled into a nice routine of a breastmilk and formula combo. At times though my milk supply would get low because I wasn’t exclusively pumping or breastfeeding. I wanted extra milk at times so I could freeze it for the future.

Here is a list of some of the things I tried to increase my breast milk supply:

1. Double stimulating your breasts by breastfeeding (switching breasts often) or pumping at the same time. I used Medela Pump in Style with my youngest son. It worked great and was a huge time saver! I tried a
   hand pump with my first son and all I mostly got was a deformed hand for a lot for work. My hand would end up hurting so bad that I would not fully empty my breasts which was interfering with my breastfeeding supply and demand.
2. Try relaxing before you pump by massaging your breasts with warm compresses. Warm compresses and massages also help clogged milk ducts which is a common breastfeeding problem.
3. Have your baby near you when you’re pumping. If you can’t be near your baby try to keep a picture and/or something with your babies scent on it next to you when you pump. Also, keeping a mental imagine of your baby in your head while you are pumping helps too.
4. Keep your baby with you for all or some of the night for feedings.
5. Eat oatmeal often.
6. Nurse or pump before feeding solid foods to your baby.
7. Try fenugreek. You will smell like maple syrup but it will be worth it.
   
8. Make sure you are eating well and drinking a lot. You can’t expect to produce quality milk if you aren’t taking in nutrients and lots of fluids.
9. Avoid pacifiers, bottles, ect. If you can breastfeed, breastfeed. Try to give all of your babies sucking needs from your breasts.
10. Aim for 10-12 feeding sessions a day. Remember the more you breastfeed or pump the more milk you will produce.

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