What can i eat or drink that will make my breatsmilk supply better??

Answer 1

brewer's yeast (no alcohol beer) (healthfood store)
fenugreek (gnc)
oatmeal (grocery store)
lots of water (your house, i hope)
mothers milk tea (gnc or health food store)

nothing you can take into your body will increase your supply more than getting the baby to the breast or pumping more often. i had a preemie and couldn't nurse for a while but i pumped adn was always very concerned about my supply. when i finally was able to nurse him my supply went way up! a baby is better than any pump or pill you can take. Good luck and good job breastfeeding your baby!

Answer 2

Why do you want to increase your milk supply? Most often, when a woman things she doesn't have enough either there *is* no problem, or she actually is producing *too much* milk.

No longer feeling full, no more leaking, or not being able to pump as much as you used to are rarely signs of a problem at all. Usually, it means that your breasts (which didn't know you didn't give birth to triplets and *overproduced* milk earlier) have adjusted to the needs of your baby. This is normal and a *good* thing.

A mother whose baby who is fussy at the breast and isn't gaining weight well is more likely to have *too much* milk than too little. This is particularly true if baby has green bowel movements and sputters or chokes shortly after the beginning of feedings. Nursing on only one breast per feeding will usually help.

If, in fact, you *do* have too little milk, the only way to fix the situation is to nurse more often. For most women, this means *at least* 10-12 times in 24 hours. So if your baby hasn't asked to nurse for two hours after the start of the previous feeding during the day, nurse her/him. If she/he wants to nurse every 30-60 minutes, that is fine (and does *not* indicate that there's a problem).

If you've been nursing at least every 2 hours during the day and at least twice at night for a week and you still think there's not enough milk, you might want to try a galactagogue (a substance that increases milk production). The *only* herbal galactagogue with any scientific evidence of effectiveness is fenugreek. It is not recommended if you have asthma or diabetes. Take 1 capsule 3 times a day for 3-4 days, then increase to 2 capsules 3 times a day for the next several days. Continue increasing this way until you are taking an effective dose *for you* (usually 2-4 capsules per dose). You will know you are at the right dose when your urine and sweat have a maple syrup smell. If either you or baby develops an allergic reaction (*very* rare!!), stop taking it. Keep taking the fenugreek until your milk supply has increased and stabilized, then you can stop again--gradually as you started--or you can continue. Other than the above-mentioned warnings, it is considered safe.

Do *not* use any herbal blends (such as "Mother's Milk Tea") to try to increase your milk supply. They contain fennel, an herb with a strange property--it increases the milk supply for some women and decreases it for others. It's not worth the risk.

Eat well (an occasional treat *won't* hurt) and drink to thirst. Do *not* force liquids. It won't help, and one research study showed evidence that drinking more than you need actually decreases your supply. (This study was not able to be replicated, but, again, why risk it?)

Answer 3

Here is some good information about breastfeeding:

Dietary Tips for Breastfeeding Moms
http://drspock.com/article/0,1510,5370,00.html

Breastfeeding: How The Body Supplies Milk
http://drspock.com/article/0,1510,4292,00.html

"You don't need to drink milk to make milk:
While it is true that that calcium is an important part of your nutritional needs and staying well hydrated is one way to make sure your body makes enough breast milk, you do not have to drink milk to make milk. In fact, the proteins in cow's milk do pass into the milk you make, and your infant may be sensitive to them. If your baby is fussier than you think he should be, one thing to try is stopping your own intake of cow's milk.

How do you get the calcium and vitamin D you need? Calcium-fortified orange juice provides the same amount of calcium as milk. Chewable over-the-counter antacid tablets are another good source of calcium, as are certain leafy vegetables. A daily multiple vitamin can provide enough vitamin D to keep your bones healthy..."

Hope that helps,

Rachel

Answer 4

For me it doesn't really matter what I eat as long as I eat a LOT (MOO MOO OINK OINK) and get enough rest. If I get run-down or skip out on a meal or snack (or another snack!) I notice a big difference in my supply. I seem to need a lot of extra calories, I have an 11 month old who is about 80-90% breastfed.

Answer 5

Drink plenty of water and nurse nurse nurse. Your body makes milk according to the demand. If you nurse a lot and pump between feedings you'll stimulate milk production. It'll take a few days to see an increase but it works. On the same token, cutting back on feedings and pumping will reduce the amount of milk you make.

Answer 6

You can buy this tea thats called Mothers milk. You have to buy it at a health store.They have tea bags and drops you would put into your drink. It is really gross.The tea is a lot better,It's easier to tolerate. The drops I couldn't finish. It does work though. I did it a couple of times. If you start running low on your breastmilk ,just start drinking the tea.It works!It's good to have around.

Answer 7

Supply and demand. The more you nurse the more milk you produce. Nurse whenever your baby wants to without looking at the clock

Answer 8

water, water, water. Drinking milk doesnt necessarily increase your milk, and might make baby gassy. And eat properly. I really notice a difference in amount of milk if I haven't been drinking enough water.

Answer 9

plenty of water. also, take some extra vitamins. most of the vitamins in your body go to breast milk, taking them from you. dont deprove yourself. dont eat many onions (i did and my son didnt approve of me lol) stay away from fried fast foods, other then that, mainly nothing. if your supply is good now, just keep up what you are doing, otherwise, ask your doctor.

Answer 10

drink lots of water, also oatmeal grains with water and a little sugar , they said drinking chocolate milk its also good , but the more your baby suck the more milk you will have , so let the baby feed as much as he likes .