⭐️ Increasing your milk supply ⭐️

This is the number one question I get asked from breastfeeding Mamas❗️

One of the biggest challenges a new Mama will face is building up her milk supply. What Mamas don't realize is that it is a process and that it takes time and that every breastfeeding experience will be different. You may not have had a supply issue with your first baby, but with your second, you are finding that your supply is low.

 

Breastfeeding is a learned process, whether it's your first or your third baby and the key is consistency and patience.

 

Your milk supply is directly related to how well your baby can remove the milk from your breast. If your baby is having difficulties latching, this can definitely affect your supply. If you are having issues with low milk supply, the first thing you should do is ensure that you have a proper latch. That means that your baby is not only latching to your nipple, but also to your areola. Your areola contains milk ducts and if your baby isn't latched deep enough, those milk ducts will not be stimulated, therefore affecting your supply.

 

Below is an example of a good latch.

Good latch

Here are 9 ways to help increase your milk supply:

  • 1 More demand = more supply; the more your baby feeds, the more milk your body makes. Feed your baby on demand or at least every 2-3 hrs and don't time the feeds.
  • 2 Ensure baby is latched properly; meaning they are latched onto your areola, not just your nipple (your milk supply is directly related to how well your baby can remove milk from your breast)
  • 3 Breast compressioncan help your baby feed longer therefore increasing your milk supply.
  • 4 Pump about 10 mins (both sides), after you finish breastfeeding; this will tell your body that it needs to make more milk. Use a hospital grade, double electric pump for best results. (* don't watch as you pump. Studies show that Mamas who cover themselves while pumping end up pumping more. It's like the saying goes: a watched pot never boils *)
  • 5 Replace a couple of pumping sessions with power pumping (pump for 20 mins, then rest for 10 mins, pump for 10 mins, then rest for 10 mins and pump again for 10 mins)
  • 6 Switch nursing. If your baby is falling asleep while feeding, switch to feeding them on the other side. Do this 2-3 times during the feed. This will help keep them awake and help with the flow of milk. *switch nursing is only meant to be short term, until you notice an increase in your supply, as the drawback to switch nursing is that your baby ends up getting more foremilk and not enough hindmilk*
  • 7 Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating enough and staying well hydrated.
  • 8 Supplements such as Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle, and Moringa powder have been known to help increase your supply. Mother's milk tea and lactation cookies in conjunction with the tips above can also help increase your supply. (@fraicheliving has a really good lactation cookie recipe)
  • 9 Most importantly remember that this is a process and it takes time.It can sometimes take 3-4 weeks to increase your supply. Be patient and kind to yourself.

If you've done the above suggestions and your supply is still low, please reach out to myself or a lactation consultant in your area for more support. Sometimes it's a latch issue and once that's been corrected, Mamas notice their supply start to increase.

 

As I stated above, breastfeeding is a process and it takes patience, consistency and kindness to yourself. There's nothing wrong with asking for help. No one has this all figured out and breastfeeding is very much a process and trial and error. Sometimes you need to try a few things before you can pinpoint what the exact cause is.

Good luck, Mamas!

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- Agnes (MamaBear)
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About Agnes Mayer

Hi, I'm Agnes Mayer, owner of MamaBear Holistic Care. I am a Mama, wife, and RN with over 13 years of experience working in labour and delivery. I use my experience to support Mamas in whatever part of motherhood they find themselves in, whether they are newly pregnant or they have a toddler in need of sleep support. My goal is to guide you through motherhood and make it as easy of a transition as possible.

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