How to increase milk supply
Problems related to milk supply is one of the most common complaints I hear about. It can be very stressful to feel as though you’re not making enough milk for your baby, but it’s important not to jump to conclusions too quickly. If, however, you truly are experiencing an undersupply issue, there are things that can help!
True signs of low supply can be determined by the growth and output of your baby
First, if you are here because your baby is nursing every hour, is fussy, and seems to not be content, this doesn’t necessarily indicate a low milk supply. It’s very common for babies to have cluster feedings and feed frequently (what seems to be nonstop), as it may indicate a growth spurt or even an illness coming on. Babies nurse for a variety of reasons, including comfort, so do not jump to conclusions. True signs of low supply can be determined by the growth and output of your baby. If your baby has had an adequate amount of poop and pee diapers, and is gaining weight/growing as evaluated by your pediatrician, then you have exactly what your baby needs.
How to fix low milk supply
Supply and Demand
Milk supply is all about supply and demand! You need to demand it from your body, in order to supply it! Nurse, nurse some more, and even if you just fed half an hour ago, nurse some more. Ensure you always offer BOTH breasts every time you feed if you are struggling with supply.
Stimulation!
Allow your baby to be skin-to-skin with you as often as possible, and again, let them nurse as much as possible. Being skin-to-skin will give your baby easy access to the breasts, and ensure that you don't miss out on any of their feeding/comfort cues.
Take out the pacifier.
I know, sounds harsh. But if you keep putting a plug in your baby when they fuss, you’re not allowing them to cue or give your body the signal it needs to make more milk. You can give the pacifier back after you know your supply has been established.
The more they demand from your body, the more it will make.
Pump after feeds
This will bring out anything that’s left and tell your body you still want more! Try massaging your breasts to get the maximum output and look at your baby (or pictures of your baby) while doing it. Massaging from all the way back towards the armpit and bringing your hands forward is a nice trick.
Drink TONS of water!
I’m terrible at this. But I can promise you that it really does make a difference. DRINK WATER. How can we provide fluid for an infant if we’re dehydrated ourselves? 😅
Top Foods to Consider
Oats
A food that I have found most helpful for myself is OATS! I have a bowl of oatmeal every morning with some frozen berries in it, and I even make my own oat flour to bake with. Game changer! I did notice a difference when skipping out on my morning oatmeal.
Dark, leafy greens
Spinach, kale, and broccoli are also great. I’m not a huge veggie person, so I tend to blend spinach in with stuff because you’ll never know it’s in there (aside from the bright green color 😂). It’s great blended in banana milkshakes, pesto pasta, and even pancake batter!
Other Options
There are also lactation teas, powders, cookies, etc and there’s TONS to choose from in all different flavors. Many of these are cultural and have been used for forever, but I’d need to do more research before I start personally validating them.
Troubleshoot
Last but not least, troubleshot other things that may be affecting your supply.
-Touch base with your physician in regards to any medical condition or medication that could be affecting your ability to produce milk.
-Have you had mastitis or a clogged duct? This can cause a temporary decrease in supply bc milk isn’t being expressed from there and is backed up. Seek treatment for mastitis and try to be proactive with your clogged duct(s) as soon as you notice it’s starting. Massage the area in a hot shower to try to help loosen it, and keep encouraging your baby to nurse from the affected breast. I even purchased a little breast massager on Amazon to help get those stubborn clogs out!
-Assess infants latch: If your baby is not latching properly, milk will not be removed efficiently. This means that your body will also think it’s making enough….because again, supply and demand! It’s “natural”, yet it’s a science.
-Seek help from lactation- they really are so helpful. I highly advise an in-person evaluation with them (rather than on the phone), so that they can first-hand evaluate what’s going on.
You just created a baby from scratch, you can totally feed them too! Keep up the good work mamas!