I'm Breastfeeding, is there certain foods I can eat to increase my milk supply?

Answer 1

What makes you think you need to increase your milk supply? Most women who think they "don't have enough milk" have plenty, and quite a few are actually producing *too much*.

If you no longer feel full or leak and can no longer pump much (or any) milk, you probably have enough milk. These are signs that your body has adjusted to the needs of your baby. When you first give birth, your breasts don't know that you didn't have twins or even triplets and *overproduce*; at some point, you stop producing too much and produce the right amount. When that happens, you may no longer feel that there's any milk in there. But as long as your baby hasn't had a sudden *obvious* decrease in the number of wet and dirty diapers (or possibly fewer dirty diapers, but each bowel movement is larger to compensate), she/he is still getting plenty of milk.

If baby is fussy at the breast and not gaining weight, the problem could be that you have *too much* milk. This is particularly likely if baby's bowel movements are green and/or if baby chokes or sputters a few minutes into a feeding. In this case, nurse longer on one breast to allow your baby to get more of the milk that comes later in a feeding.

If you are producing too little milk, the *only* way to produce more is to nurse more often. Most women need to nurse at least 10-12 times in 24 hours to increase the milk supply. So if it's been 2 hours (during the day) since the *beginning* of the previous feeding, pick up baby and offer to nurse again--even if you have to wake her/him. Try this for at least a week. If it still isn't working, then change to every 1 1/2 hours instead.

If even that doesn't work, then you may need help from a galactagogue (something that increases milk production). The only herb that has any scientific evidence of effectiveness is fenugreek. Take 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 this way until you are taking an effective dose for you (usually 2-4 capsules per dose). You will recognize this when your urine and sweat smell like maple syrup. Continue at that dosage. Fenugreek is not recommended if you have diabetes or asthma, and if you or baby have an allergic reaction (very rare), stop taking it.

Do *not* use an herbal blend. You are increasing the likelihood of a bad reaction (side effect or allergy). Further, most of them contain fennel--an herb which increases the milk supply for some women, but decreases it for others. It's too risky to try.

You do *not* need to "drink a lot" or eat any particular foods (although many women feel that oatmeal--one bowl of hot cereal a day--helps increase the supply). Forcing liquids absolutely does *not* increase milk production, and in one study actually *decreased* it. There is some evidence that beer will increase your milk supply; non-alcoholic beer works as well as regular beer.

Answer 2

Drink lots of fluids, and consider taking an herbal supplement. Fenugreek is the best herb to help increase milk supply. But more than anything, pumping or nursing more often is the only thing to help with increasing milk supply. Your body makes milk on a supply and demand basis. The more you demand, the more your body will supply.

Answer 3

Your body will naturally increase the supply as the baby's needs grow. As the baby grows and needs more, so will your milk supply.

Relax and enjoy! Your body is doing exactly what it's supposed to do.

Answer 4

Your body will make breast milk from anything you eat. You need extra calcium 'cause the baby will get theirs even if it's taken from you. Pumping and frequent feeding can increase the supply.

Answer 5

one beer a day,something in the beer produces milk.my doctor told me this and I hate beer but after having my 5th child and my milk had not come in after 3 days I did it,a half a beer and I was pouring out like a gallon jug.one of my daughters got the same advice from her doctor too and once again after only half a beer she was wondering how to shorten the milk supply!

Answer 6

Extra fluids will keep your supply going

Answer 7

Eat lot of fruits and vegetables
dont forget to drink lot of water this is important

Answer 8

My Doctor told me that Anchor Steam Beer would work.

Answer 9

drink malt beer its good,safe for your baby.it helped me.with my kids.i looked like cow,but i could have fed another five babies.from mikhal in israel.

Answer 10

drink alot of water