What can I eat to increase my breast milk? Any special foods?

Answer 1

First of all, you need to know if you really need them. More women who think they don't have enough milk have *too much* than too little, and almost all have enough.

Some things that do *not* necessarily indicate too little milk:

Baby nurses all the time
Baby fusses at the breast
Baby gaining weight too slowly
No more leaking
Breasts feel empty
Can't pump any (or only a little) milk

The first 3 are more likely to indicate too much milk than too little. The last 3 usually indicate that your body (which was producing *too much* earlier--your breasts have no way to know that you didn't give birth to triplets!!) has adjusted to baby's needs.

Before you decide that you have too little milk, please contact a La Leche League Leader near you (see sources section below). She can help you determine just what is going on.

By the way...if you *do* have too little milk, the only way to increase it is to nurse *frequently*--at least 10-12 times in 24 hours. Even fenugreek or other galactagogues won't work unless you are nursing at least that often. And frequent nursing will also help if you have *too much* milk; it helps your body adjust to your baby's needs, regardless of whether it is more or less than what you are making now.

Drinking more water will *not* help. In fact, in one study (Illingworth and Kilpatrick, 1953), forcing liquids caused mothers to produce *less* milk!!

As for fenugreek, if you do use it, you probably don't need the blessed thistle. Fenugreek is not recommended if you have asthma or diabetes. If you take it, start with 1 capsule 3 times a day for 3-4 days, then increase to 2 capsules 3 times a day for the next few days. Keep increasing until you are taking an effective dose *for you* (usually 2-4 capsules per dose). You will know it is effective when your sweat and urine have a maple-syrup smell. Continue at that dosage. If either you or baby have an allergic reaction (very rare), stop taking it.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

The reason for the "poor milk production" must first be ascertained. Is the baby latching on well, are there any sucking problems and do you try to express milk after feedings to help increase milk supply? Are you pressuring yourself to much over breastfeeding? Stress and anxiety can diminish the supply.

Assuming that these factors have been adequately dealt with the next question is are you drinking a lot of fluids? That is highly important. After that, there are some herbals to increase breast milk production. The success of these herbs are based primarily on anecdotal reports. Like anything else, there is the potential for side effects, some can even be quite serious. These adverse reactions, were they to occur, would be unlikely to affect the baby who would get very little if any of the mother's dose. The two products that are most commonly recommended are fenugreek and blessed thistle (2 capsules of each herb 3 or 4 times a day). Other herbs that have been used without proven efficacy include raspberry leaf, fennel and brewer's yeast.

In the pharmaceutical line, Domperidone (Motillium) which increases prolactin and stimulates breast milk production has been used. This should never be used as the first approach to correcting breast feeding difficulties and should only be used after all other methods of increasing breast milk supply have been tried. The recommended starting dose is 20mg 4 times a day. Side effects include dry mouth, headache and abdominal cramps. Bromocriptine for post partum lactation suppression is not recommended. There have been several reports in the literature recently in which bromocriptine has been associated with fatal myocardial infarction and severe cerebrovascular accidents in the postpartum period in mothers taking bromocriptine for ablactation

Answer 3

First, drink PLENTY of liquids. Like you feel as though you could swim away. Also, make sure you are taking in proteins, like meat, milk, etc. Veggies too, but not broccoli because it can change the taste of the breast milk and the baby may not like it. Fats too, but good fats like olive oil and avocado, not potato chips. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

dont work out or any thing like that because you can dry out but you and your baby can take a walk but you can eat any thing all but all the weight you got when you where perge. that is what you get your milk for and fat turn into milk
good luck

Answer 5

You can go to GNC or any other vitamin shop and buy Fenugreek pills, they are safe to take while nursing, they work WELL, the only drawback is they make your urine,sweat,breastmilk smell like maple syrup...I had the same problem when I was nursing my daughter, I contacted the LeLecheLeague, and they recommended it...
My daughter is now 4 and loves anything maple...he-he..
It works!!

Answer 6

Wine can increase production of milk just be moderate or else you will have to "pump and dump"...peanuts and peanut butter do, too.

Answer 7

Just water will do it, and feed your baby more often, the more you feed the more milk you make

Answer 8

My sister with 4 kids says "beer".