How can you increase breast milk production?

Question

thanks for your input

Answer 1

believe it or not, have a beer. when i was in the hospital and beginning to breast feed, they said "beer" as it really helps the let-down reflex.

Answer 2

First of all, why do you think you don't have enough milk. Most women who report too little milk are just fine--or are even *overproducing*.

No longer feeling full, no leaking, or not being able to pump much (or as much as previously) are usually signs that everything is going well. When your baby is born, your breasts have no way to know that you didn't give birth to twins or even triplets. So there's too much milk. At some point--it can be when baby is 2 weeks old or a year old--your breasts adjust to the needs of your own baby and you may get some or all of the above.

Baby fussy at the breast or not gaining well can sometimes be the signs of too much milk. This is particularly likely if she/he sputters or chokes while nursing and/or has frequent green bowel movements.

If you still think you have too little milk, the first thing to try is *always* nursing more often. The only way to increase your milk supply is by nursing very frequently (in fact, the other suggestions below will usually only work if you are *also* nursing a lot). Most women need to nurse at least 10-12 times in 24 hours to increase milk production. (If you are exclusively pumping, you would have to pump even more, since pumping is less effective than nursing.) Try this for at least 4 days, but a week is better. At each nursing, offer baby the first breast, and encourage her/him to nurse as long as possible, then offer the second one and likewise, nurse as long as possible. You can, if you wish, then repeat the process once more, so that a feeding would be left, right, left, right (or the opposite).

If this is still not enough, then you could try a galactagogue (substance that encourages increased milk production). The best herbal galactagogue is fenugreek--it is the only one with any scientific evidence of effectiveness. Take 1 capsule 3 times a day for 3-4 days, then increase it to 2 capsules 3 times a day for the next few days. Keep increasing like that until you are taking an effective dose for you (usually 2-4 capsules a dose). You will recognize this because your urine and sweat will have a maple syrup smell. Continue at that dosage for at least a week, and preferably until your milk supply is sufficient. Fenugreek is *not* recommended for women with diabetes or asthma, and if you or baby have an allergic reaction (very rare), stop using it.

There are also prescription galactagogues. The most effective with the fewest side effects is domperidone (Motilium). It is currently not marketed in the US, but it can be made to order at a compounding pharmacy, or ordered from a pharmacy in another country (usually Canada). More commonly used in the US is metoclopramide (Reglan). It is more likely to cause problems for the mother (both drugs are considered safe for the breastfed baby), including stomach symptoms, sedation, and depression.

You do *not* have to drink a lot of water. Drink if you are thirsty and not if you aren't. Forcing liquids *won't* help, and in one research study, it actually decreased the amount of milk a mother produced.

Do not use herbal blends. When you take 6 or more herbs (when you only need 1), you are increasing the likelihood of having a bad reaction--allergy or side effect. Also, most of them include fennel--an herb that increases the milk supply for some mothers, but *decreases* it for others. It's a risky proposition.

Do not pump instead of nursing. A nursing baby is always more effective than a pump. The only time you should ever pump is if baby refuses to nurse. Before you pick up the pump, pick up the baby (even if it's only been 30 minutes since she/he nursed)!!

Do *not*--absolutely *not*--take any hormones. They will decrease milk production for many women!!

Answer 3

What makes you believe that your milk supply is low? Is your baby gaining weight well? Meeting milestones? Having plenty of wet and dirty diapers? It's important to note that the feel of the breast (engorged or not), the behavior of your baby, the frequency of nursing, feeling (or NOT feeling) the sensation of let-down, or the amount of milk you can pump (man's best imitation of baby) are NOT valid ways to determine if you have enough milk for your baby.

The best was to increase supply is to nurse or pump more frequently. (Adding more sessions works better than longer sessions.) It's all about supply and demand.

In this hot summer weather, you might make sure you are getting enough fluids.

Herbal galactagogues can be used to increase supply. Fenugreek is the most commonly used one. Take 3-4 capsules 3x per day. You'll know you are taking enough if you smell like maple syrup.

PLEASE NOTE.....if you are allergic to peanuts, diabetic, hypoglycemic, have asthma or heart problems then DO NOT take fenugreek.

Some mothers find that fenugreek works better if they take it with blessed thistle and alfalfa.

EDITED TO ADD:
The mini-pill DOES NOT increase production. For some mothers, it could actually HURT production.

Answer 4

Feed frequently, pump when you can't feed, drink Mother's Milk tea and take Fenugreek. I have also heard that the "mini pill" (progestin only birth control) increases milk production by 10%

Answer 5

You must either breast feed more often, or you must breast pump more often.
Breastfeeding more often is more efficient than pumping the breasts. Basically however, you must remove milk from the breast, that will encourage your body to increase breast milk supply

Answer 6

Pumping will increase the amount you will produce. The more you pump the more you will produce. Chocolate will increase the quantity of milk but not the quality. Brewer's yeast will increase the quality, but may give your milk a funny taste.

Answer 7

I always pumped in between feedings. For a little while it was like I was always either pumping or feeding but soon the production increassed. I was trying to stock up the freezer so I could go back to work.

Answer 8

There is an herb called Fenugreek that you can get at health food stores. You have to take it often, but it is not expensive. It definitely works. I was referred to it by someone at the LeLeche League and also my local WIC office. The only downside, you sometimes seem to smell of maple syrup!

Answer 9

Use a breast pump & DON"T MISS FEEDINGS?PUMPINGS. The more often you miss schedualed times, the less & less milk will be produced. You should pump or feed every couple of hours for optimal milkflow.

Answer 10

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Answer 11

I've never tried any herbs or teas. What works for me is to nurse VERY frequently and to make sure that I get a lot of rest and enough to eat and drink.