Top Tips for Increasing Breast Milk Supply

Written by Laurel Haring

Sunday, 10 February 2008

Increasing Breast Milk, photo by Cris Watk If your milk supply seems to be dwindling, there are positive steps you can take to increase production. Consult this list of top tips for increasing your milk supply.

The amount of milk your breasts produce is subject to a number of factors, but they all relate to two factors: your health and well being and nursing frequency. Try any or all of the following steps to increase your milk supply.

Take care of yourself to increase milk supply. Of course you need to take care of your baby, but you need to baby yourself, too.

Rest whenever you can—When baby naps, take a nap yourself, if you need to. Resting is a necessity, not a luxury, especially when you’re the source of your baby’s nutrition. Even if you can’t sleep, you can rest … and you should.
Fuel the machine—Make a point of eating well and drinking plenty of fluids. (“Plenty” means drink as much as you need to but not so much that you feel uncomfortable). You may find that eating six small meals each day will help keep your energy level up better than three large ones.
Practice saying, “Yes, thank you”—When friends or family members offer their help, accept it gratefully. Would you rather be running errands, cleaning your house, and washing a few loads of clothes or resting and caring for your baby? Be sure to tell your helpers specifically what they can do to help.

Nurse frequently. Breast milk production is a demand/supply function. The more your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce. Shorter, more frequent nursing sessions are more effective at building and maintaining your milk supply than longer feeding sessions that occur less frequently.

Perfect position—Make sure baby is positioned properly so that she gets the most milk for her efforts. Her whole body should be facing yours, her mouth should be opened wide, and all of your nipple and most of your areola should be in her mouth.
Both breasts are best—Offer both breasts at each nursing, alternating sides at each session. “Switch nursing” can also be effective in increasing your supply. When your baby’s active sucking at the first breast slows and there are long pauses between each suck, take him off the breast, burp him, and offer your other breast. Switch nursing triggers more letdowns in a feeding and keeps the milk flowing faster. This may interest your baby in nursing longer at each session. Keep everything calm and low key; small infants can become overtired and frustrated, so be alert for signs of stress.
Avoid using breast replacements—Your breasts produce milk in response to the stimulation of your baby’s sucking, so when you need to increase your milk supply, ban (at least temporarily) pacifiers and bottles until your breast milk has become more plentiful. Also, don’t use nipple shields, because they can lead to under-stimulation of the breast, which will reduce your supply.
Nurse first—For older babies who are getting additional nutrition, nurse them before you offer solid foods or giving them water, juice, or formula.

Any of these techniques can help you to increase your milk supply. However, illness, different medications, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can all decrease your milk supply. If you have any questions or concerns, consult with your pediatrician, a lactation consultant, or a local breastfeeding support group.

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