how can i increase the amount of breast milk i produce?

Question

my baby was born at 26 weeks gestation, and while I was in hospital with her i was able to produce 40/60mls every 3hours.The trouble is since i've been home i'm lucky if i get 10mls. im trying not to stress but its difficult to keep up with the demand. i purchased a portable hand pump so that i could express on the go, but its impossible to be out and have it sterile. and i can't stay at home all day as i have other children to take care of. Does anyone have any mircle so i can make more milk?

thanks girls, some really great advice.
Baby is 7 weeks old now and still in intensive care.

yes i am using an electric pump, and i freeze the milk.

Answer 1

Go to breastfeeding.com - there's very little that those girls don't know...

Answer 2

Pump or feed as often as possible, even if you end up throwing the milk away because it's not sterile. Your body will increase the supply to keep up with the greater demand. Try and eat healthily, you need about 500 calories more than normal each day if you're breastfeeding. Drink lots of fluids. And make sure the baby is latching on right, otherwise it may not be stimulating milk production enough. Good luck.

Answer 3

pump! Depending on how well your baby can handle your let down, you can pump after every feeding. Store the milk in the freezer. I pump twice a day because I get too engorged and my let down is too strong. Only pump directly after a feeding and your milk should increase within a few days, even if you only pump twice a day. Or you can try nursing more often. Breast milk is produced by demand, so the more often your breasts are drained, the more you will produce.

Answer 4

Try massaging them throughout the day. Also, try taking a warm bath every now and then. And you really do need to take mommy time. If you are on the go all the time and you are over worked, stress can keep you from producing much. Relax a little. You also said that you can't possibly do it all the time while you are out, but maybe that's the problem, you aren't pumping enough, you could be causing it to dry up faster.

Answer 5

take fenugreek (start off with 3 capsules 3 times a day then go to 3 capsules 3 times a day after a week) and pump both sides for 20 minutes after each feed. Make sure you're nursing 10-12 a day. I'm glad your baby is doing well

Answer 6

drinks LOTS of water. Also I don't know what kind of hand pump you have but the avent isis is the only one that I have foudn that works well. You can carry a portable cooler with ice packs and store it in there until you get home to put in teh freezer.
drink lots nad lots and lots of water!
mothers milk tea
fenugreek
and there are some prescriptions your dr can give you too. Both of the above work wonders. But beware if taking fenugreek you smell like maple syrup.

Answer 7

Drink as much water as you can, and express as often as you can, even if you have to throw it away. The more milk you stimulate your body to produce the more it will keep producing. If you become dehydrated though your milk will reduce. I found having a big glass of water next to me at every feed was one way of making sure I replaced the fluid I was using up.

Answer 8

Did your pump come with a little clip on cover to keep it sterile?

You can also get portable sets which include a refrigerated bag to store the pump and milk in and keep it sterile.

Answer 9

Use a good electric breast pump and you can freeze the milk or keep it in the fridge for 24 hrs.

Answer 10

What I've learned, so far, from my birthing classes is that breast milk works off the system of supply and demand. The more you breast feed, the more your body will produce the milk.

But you should consult your doc if this doesn't work for you.

Answer 11

Drink lots of water. Try not to become dehydrated. Your breast pump doesn't necessarily have to be sterile. Just clean it well with hot, soapy water. You didn't say how old your baby is, now. If you allow them to nurse more, it will pick up production.