My milk supply has gone way down. Can I still increase it? Is it too late?

Question

My milk supply has decreased since Im not pumping milk out as often. Is there any way I can increase it?

Answer 1

Nurse often. It is more effective than pumping, and all by itself should increase your milk supply. Most women need to nurse at *least* 10-12 times in 24 hours.

Answer 2

Hi, I breastfed my daughter exclusively for the first 9 months of her life and breastfed her until she was 16 months old. I'm telling you this so you know that I know a little bit about breastfeeding.

The way to increase you milk is to pump more often and/or nurse you child more often. Your milk supply works like supply and demand. The more milk you demand, the more milk your body will produce. It works the same way if you aren't using milk, you'll lose it.

Just start pumping before or after feedings and a few times throughout the day maybe while your watching TV. You can also pump on breast while your child is nursing on the other one. This helps a lot with let down.

Good luck with everything. I'm really happy to know that you are nursing your baby. This is the best decision you could have made for your child.

Answer 3

First of all, pumping milk is not a good idea. The best way to let down your milk is by the baby sucking. It opposes less harm to your nipples and allows the baby to build up their own milk supply. While breastfeeding, you can't actually see how much milk the baby is consuming...they are the best judge. With the bothersome pumping, you are more likely to quit ahead of time and not pump out what is required by the baby. Besides that, the baby gets the loving nuturing of being held close and cozy in your arms which is better off for their emotional security and growth. The more the baby is at the breast the more the baby is allowed to build up what they need. The baby will back off on their own so it'll never be too much or too little so long as you are eating healthy and the baby is suckling at regular intervals. Drink plenty of fluids. Sometimes the milk may not drop because of a clog but a good thing for that is to jump in a warm shower..try expressing milk there because I found it the best spot. Also, if it is a clog or emaxiation and you have a sleepy young infant , husbands come in handy! (sounds bad from here but hey, it works..and men really are like overgrown babies)
Breastfeed in a quiet area away from others (besides immediate family members of course) New environments can make a baby least likely to nurse well because of environmental stimulation, plus if you are a bit nervous or unrelaxed your milk won't let down as easily to be able to maintain a good milk supply. Smoking, drugs and drinking alcohol will also decrease your milk supply so avoid that too.

Answer 4

No, it's not too late as long as you still have milk, BUT you HAVE to pump more often and/or nurse more often. There is no miracle way to increase milk production - you just have to do the work. Milk is produced on a supply/demand cycle...the more that is demanded, the more that is produced. If you pump or nurse less, then you are demanding less milk and your body will adjust to that. You just have to keep pumping. I would pump or nurse every 30 minutes to get your supply back up.

Answer 5

It is never too late. There are herbal teas you can get at the health food store that help. If you are able to stay at home with the baby I would stop pumping and let the baby nurse only. Your let down is a lot better nursing rather than pumping. Drink lots of water. Also do not supplement with formula that will cause your milk supply to go down. Breast milk is the best for the baby the first year. Good luck!

Answer 6

Here are a couple of suggestions:

Pump or nurse more frequently. Your milk ducts will respond to the increased demand and up production.

Go to a natural foods store like Whole Foods Market. There are supplements like brewer's yeast and fenugreek that may help.

Answer 7

Pump more often, and ask a lactation consultant what natural herbs you can take to help increase your milk supply. I used to have a list from the consultant at Children's hospital, but lost it.

Answer 8

I breast feed for 5 months and the same thing happened to me and I ac tally dried up. But this is what I didn't do that i needed to do. Drink lots of water and try to get as much rest as you can. also try to pump as much as you can in between each feeding to increase your supply

Good Luck because i know it's hard sometimes

Answer 9

Well if you got them used to being pumped that is what you have to do to make you'r milk supply stay up.

Answer 10

First and foremost u need to constantly nurse or pump. Try getting fenugreek supplement from ur local health store and hv them. Or u can get ur O/B to prescribe medication like reglan to increase ur supply .It does not affect ur baby. And drink lots of fluids everyday. Above all if u dont pump or nurse u cant maintain ur supply.