How can I increase my milk supply?

Question

I had a breast reduction 5 years ago, and I knew that my supply would be low. With my first baby, she never really took to the breast (probably because she was frustrated by nothing coming out), so I pumped and then bottle fed her. I had to supplement as well. As we all know, pumping alone won't keep your milk supply up.
Now I'm 23 weeks pregnant with my second baby and wondering if there are things I can do ahead of time or shortly after he's born to make sure there's enough milk for my little man...

Answer 1

Have you gone to:
http://www.bfar.org (Breast Feeding After Reduction and other nipple surgeries.

They will be able to help you with more specific advice.

You can pump between feedings, and there are herbs and prescription drugs:
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/prescript_galactagogue.html

If you can't make adequate milk you can use a supplimental nursing system. Basically a bag you tape to your shoulder with a tube that runs to your nipple. Obviously if you can use your own pumped milk that would be best. There is also banked milk (and sometimes other moms will donate milk if you are comfortable with the risks of that. Banked milk can be expensive) and formula.

However you may find this time you have more milk. Things are always different.

Answer 2

truly, there's a technology in the back of this. that's the yeast contained in the beer that united statesyour milk production. An alcohol loose way is to take Brewers Yeast supplementations. I did this and it worked, even if, it also fills your abdomen up so that you're not any more hungry so that you truly favor to observe your food see you later as you're taking it. A 0.5 a beer may be sensible strengthen your milk, you need to take it immediatly after a feeding to enable your self optimal time to procedure the alcohol formerly nursing back. and there is an previous different halves tale about pumping and dumping the milk to get the alcohol out of your milk swifter...this isn't genuine in any respect. If there is alcohol on your sytem once you nurse, it is going to likely be on your milk, if there is not any longer, none will be kept contained in the milk or glands. desire this facilitates

Answer 3

I was amazed when I learned how much a simple thing such as drinking enough water increased my milk supply. My doctor told me I should be drinking about 100 oz. a day. Getting enough rest has a major impact on supply as well. Letting your baby sleep in your arms and nurse on and off during the night can also increase your milk supply if your concerned about it. (Just make sure you switch sides at some point, or you'll soon find yourself lop-sided!)

Answer 4

Milk production works mainly by reflex. The more you feed, the more you make. So just breast feed as much as you can, and keep pumping. Make sure that you switch breasts when feeding so that your supply will come in equally.

Answer 5

One of my online friends that exclusively breastfeeds was having problems with milk supply. She got some drops called "More Milk Plus." She said it is a miracle - she now has plenty for baby plus a freezer full of milk! It is available at www.motherlove.com. I hope this helps - good luck!

Answer 6

ok this may sound weard but your breasts will remember what to do and produce a better flow this time around . your first time was there first time and the baby had draw more or suckle more to create a route for the milk . this time around you might want to keep a towel handy cause you may leak alot . congrats to you and your new loved one . :)

Answer 7

mystic's answer is great. also remember that burn a lot of calories producing milk. make sure you're getting good nutrition so you can pass it on to your little one!