what can u do to produce more brest milk?

Question

i have a nine week old and are not making enough milk for her.

Answer 1

First of all, what makes you think you don't have enough milk? 9 weeks is a common times for a growth spurt, which would cause the baby to be hungry ALL THE TIME- which is normal and not a sign of low supply.

If you're pumping, and not getting much milk, that's also not an sign of low supply- pumps aren't nearly as efficient as babies. In fact, the only thing to worry about in terms of making enough milk is whether the baby is having enough poopy/wet diapers (see links for more info) and whether the baby is gaining well enough.

If you really are having supply problems, the first thing to do is make sure you're getting enough water. Also, minimize things that could be damaging your supply: supplement bottles, pacifiers, scheduled feedings (feed on demand instead), short feedings, etc (more info in links).

If those don't help enough, then try doing a nursing boot camp- hang out topless with baby for a day and just offer the breast as much as possible. The more baby nurses, the more milk you'll produce.

Other things to try after that: pumping in between nursing session, milk-making herbs- like fenugreek or blessed thistle, or in extreme cases (almost certainly not applicable to you) prescription drugs like Reglan or Domperidone.

But I suspect that what you're looking at is a baby that acts hungry *all the time*, and so you think she's not getting enough? If that's the case, then it's probably a growth spurt (as I said previously, now would be the time). It's just her way of raising your supply naturally as she gets bigger. If you can, just relax to it. Do nothing for a day but sit and nurse that baby. DON'T supplement unless your baby is showing bona fide signs of dehydration (not enough wet diapers, sunken fontanel in worst cases)! It will make it worse.

Answer 2

Try switch nursing to stimulate milk production. Feed on one side for 5 minutes, then switch to the other for 5 minutes and so on, until she's done feeding. Do this at every feeding. It worked for me like a charm ! The more often you nurse, the more you will be stimulating the production. And pumping will help stimulate if it doesn't frustrate you like it did me (I would get too frustrated at first, so that's all I would get was an ounce if I was lucky). Good Luck, if you need more help don't be afraid to contact a lactation consultant.

I had also been given the option of taking some herbs Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle together (follow the directions) as advised by my midwife (can be bought at a health food store) but didn't need to take them after the switch nursing. Make sure to eat really well, and drink LOADS of water.

Answer 3

Chances are you are producing enough milk, you just don't know it. DON'T get discouraged. Keep breastfeeding. And do it on demand for what your baby needs and wants. The more stimulation either via a pump or the baby will give you more milk. Also, if you want to, check out YOGI TEA NURSING MOTHER. It tastes a little like licorice, but if you drink it it will increase your milk. It did for me and a few of my friends. You can get it at Drugstore.com or at any whole foods market. Also, make sure you drink enough liquids. Keep it up, you will be fine. Good luck!

Answer 4

Dont drink the beer. It only makes you think you have more milk. Drink more water and pump betwen feedings to increase your milk supply. The only thing beer works for is to help you relax when you need to let down. How do you knowyou are not making enough milk? If you are nursing every two hours that is making plenty of milk.
Call the hospital where you delivered or your doctor if you need help. When they weigh the baby they will tell you if shes gerring enough milk.

Answer 5

Have a bowl of soup made with dill leaves. Try to include fenugreek leaves too in your diet. Fenugreek is slightly bitter but when used with cooked pulses (mung) , it gets mellowed down. This is part of the postnatal care of mothers in India. It works very well and I have my own experience to vouch for it.

It is important to drink plenty of fluids both for your own body's needs as well as for producing milk.

It is importnat that you do not give up attempts at breast-feeding as this is a demand-based supply. The more you feed, the more milk is produced.

Try to stay mentally and emotionally relaxed at all times and especially while nursing. Any tension and anxiety that you experience is likely to "hold back" the milk that is there. It then becomes a vicious circle.

Goodluck Mommy !

Answer 6

Buy more brest beasts from the planet Endor, and milk them more frequently. This way, you will be certain to produce more brest milk and all will be well. May I suggest the ummuuk gabba for your milking needs? It's 30x more effective than the happou oshnu for the milking of the brest beast. Be sure to feed them 3x a day or the beasts get upset and are prone to aggravation.

Answer 7

feed your baby 8 to 12 times a day try a warm wash cloth and lay it on your brest if you are still not recieveing enough milk for your child you shoulld go see your doctor immeatlly because you might have an infection in your brest do not drink alcohol if you smoke wait an hour before feeding again.

Answer 8

what makes you think you do not have enough milk, first of all? breastfeeding is all about supply and demand, to make more milk you have to feed her more. you're boobs dont know to make more, unless they are being stimulated kwim? Now there are also herbal teas like fenugreek and mother's milk tea (health food stores) that can help sometimes. Pump if you cant feed her more often. if all else fails and you are really losing supply you might need to go on Reglan (get script from OB), which is a reflux medication, but the side effect in a lot of women is to increase milk supply. I had to go on this when my daughter was in nicu for over 8 weeks, b/c i was losing supply by pumping only.. anyway it worked GREAT for me.

Answer 9

Eat oatmeal. Not the instant kind- the kind you get in a big round box and have to cook and sweeten.

Also, try to find fenugreek pills. I think the dosage is 5 capsules twice a day? When you start smelling like maple syrup, you've got the dosage right. Fenugreek is a galactogogue (promotes the production of milk). Huge amounts of breastfeeding mothers swear by it because it's such a great help.

Answer 10

pump, massage, keep them empty....the more demand, the more you puroduce. They also say that Frosty's from Wendy's help, along with ovaltine (malted chocolate milk) and A&W root beer helps. Not sure why....My sister used some of those things (the ovaltine and A&W) I found that pumping often worked best, and I have a friend that swears by Wendy's. Whatever works best for you and your baby. Try to make sure you're getting enough sleep, and TRY not to stress too much, this can effect it also. I know it's hard with a new baby - but don't be too hard on yourself.