Breast feeding?

Question

I was wondering if anyone knows how to increase breast milk. I am very low and cant seem to make much. Is there anything I can do?

Answer 1

YOur baby is very young (less than a week from what I see from another question that you asked) and I'm sure you are producing what she nneds. She has a tiny stomach which fills up fast and must be filled often. How do you know you aren't making much? Are you pumping? Try putting that away for a bit and just breastfeed for a while. You baby pumps the milk much more efficiently than any pump will ever do and she actually gets more. Your supply will increase along with her demand.
Relax and eat well. Don't worry mommy, you are doing fine.
I remember those first anxious weeks when I wrote down every feeding, how long my son ate, and how often I changed his diaper. My pediatrician convinced me to throw that away and I'd be much happier - she was right.

Answer 2

Take an essential fatty acid supplement with Omega 3 in it.

A filtered fish oil supplement is a good source. In Europe this is given to women with low milk supply, and it really works! I have seen it work for several people on another breastfeeding support site.

Oatmeal is another common "folk remedy" along with drinking a beer. It has been proven that beer can increase prolactin levels, and the herb hops which is used to flavor beer is also supposed to increase milk production.

If the herbal methods are not helping, there are 2 pharmaceutical products that may help. One is called Reglan, and the other is domperidone. Domperidone is not approved by the FDA, so it is harder to get ahold of, but it is not illegal. You can buy it from Canadian pharmacies, or from a compounding pharmacy in the US.

Make sure you are nursing your baby frequently as your breasts need stimulation to produce more. If you are having to supplement, see if you can get a supplemental nursing system (SNS) in order to continue stimulating your breasts while feeding, and reduce your baby's risk of developing a nipple preference. This is a tube which goes next to your nipple to deliver formula to the baby, while the baby suckles on your breast.

Answer 3

First of all, I commend you for breast feeding. I tried it last year when our little girl was born (can't believe she's one now) and it was not easy! There is a tea out there sold in health food stores and some grocery stores called "Mother's Milk." It works but you have to drink a lot of it. There is also a prescription medication called Reglan that is not directly for this purpose but it causes one to produce more milk as a side effect. That of course, you should discuss with your doctor.

Other than that, try to get enough to eat, drink (very important), and TRY to get enough sleep. Furthermore, if you do end up having to supplement with formula, it is not the end of the world. Good luck and enjoy the little one!

Answer 4

How long have you been breastfeeding? It might be your body telling you that it is time to wing your baby. It could also be decreasing depending on how often you feed. The more you feed or pump the more milk you will produce. Try drinking more water and juice. Also, oatmeal works really well.

Answer 5

It's all about supply and demand. If the baby doesn't feed alot then you won't produce it, try expressing as well as feeding the baby, and put the expressed milk in a bottle. You can either freeze it for another time or you can throw it away.

Answer 6

The more you need, the more you produce, so I would recommend trying to express some milk in between your baby's normal feeds. This extra stimulation should help to incease your milk supply.
Make sure you're eating well, and drinking enough water too.

Answer 7

drink lots of water, and nurse your baby often. I have heard that Oatmeal helps, and you can get Mothers' Milk tea or tincture at any health food store and often at a good Safeway or something that hasa decent natural food selection. THe tea/tincture has some herbs that stimulate production.Here is a lin to some information about herbs: http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/index.html Avoid artificial nipples (pacifiers and bottles) and just nurse, nurse, nurse.

Nursing often and drinking water are the best things. Sometimes it just feels like you don;t have enough, but really you are making exactly what the baby needs...if your baby is gaining weight, you are making enough milk.

The link as my source is full of great information about low supply.

Answer 8

hi! and welcome to motherhood. nursing your baby can be a joy, but occasion challenges crop up like the one you mention.
here are some questions to ask yourself:
are *you* getting enough fluids? drink lots and lots of water, some fruit juice, milk-soy, cow, or rice, etc. stay away from caffeine, of course, because that'll dehydrate you and could affect your baby.
are you stressed? is the house a wreck, you're starving, no one will listen to your feelings, are you feeling abandoned or confused or worried to the point of making yourself nervous, tight, upset?
are you wearing tight clothing? tight bras or shirts can limit the breast milk. try wearing no bra or very loose clothing in addition to boosting your fluid intake.
meals? are you eating frozen pizza, or have you been able to enjoy protein-rich, healthy meals that are complete with fresh fruits and vegetables?
are you taking any medications that could affect milk production?

if you continue to be concerned about nursing your baby, please contact La Leche League ("The Milk League") or a local docotor or hospital. There is help available for you.

Answer 9

Call a lactation consultant. If you don't know how to get in touch with one, call the hospital where you gave birth. Most hospitals nowdays have lactation consultants who can write you a prescription for Reglan. It's for babies who spitup but it's also for women who need to increase supply.

Eating oatmeal is supposed to work also.

The best advice I got was "Eat and drink to your hunger and thirst" Don't over eat/drink because that can actually hinder production. Eat/drink to your hunger/thirst means, just eat when you're hungry and drink when you're thirsty. If you get the munchies try veggie/fruit sticks rather than junk.

Oh and get lots of rest!

Answer 10

try a pump if the baby is not eating a lot. The more you pump/baby feeds the more milk you make. Its all in supply and demand.
Good luck.