Low milk supply is a common concern among breastfeeding mothers. In fact, it’s the #1 reason women give up breastfeeding! (yikes) Show
But good news! There’s only a small percentage of women (roughly 1-4%) who truly aren’t capable of making enough milk. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, a majority of women make more than 1/3 MORE more milk than their babies need. If you’re worried about your milk supply or simply want to give it a boost, increasing your milk supply naturally at home is usually as easy as making a few tweaks to your daily routine.
(this post may contain affiliate links) The golden rule to increase breast milk naturally at homeThe absolute key (and non-negotiable) to building and maintaining a healthy breast milk supply is removing enough breast milk, enough times per day... consistently. The most common reason for low milk supply is inefficient breastfeeding (due to a bad latch) or breastfeeding too infrequently or for too short a time. This means the best way to increase breast milk naturally at home is to increase the number and length of breastfeeding sessions. How do you know you’re producing enough breast milk? Baby is putting on weight, growing along their growth curve, and having enough wet/dirty diapers per day. Things that DO NOT indicate a low breast milk supply
Things that may decrease breast milk supplyCertain behaviors and life events may contribute to your breast milk production going down, fluctuating, or not being where it needs to be:
16 Ways To Increase Breast Milk Naturally At Home1. Breastfeed longerWhen your baby seems tired, full, or uninterested in breastfeeding more, try switching sides and offering the other breast. They may perk up and nurse again on the other side. PRO-TIP: Increasing the frequency is more important than length for boosting supply. 2. Breastfeed more oftenDo you know your baby’s hunger cues? Breastfed babies don’t follow a schedule and will display certain behaviors when they’re hungry. Offer the breast every time your baby gives you a hunger cue. 3. Add an extra pumping session DAILYDoing this will tell your body to ramp up its milk making. 4. Use THIS GADGET on the other side while you’re nursingTHIS is an easy, super affordable tool that pulls and collects milk on the other side while your baby is breastfeeding. You’ll be amazed at how much more milk you’ll collect for the freezer, and you’ll boost your supply while doing it! 5. Use breast compressionsBreast compressions during breastfeeding or pumping are a fabulous way to get more milk out and increase your milk production. Here’s exactly how to do it. 6. Wake a sleepy newbornNewborns are naturally super sleepy the first 2 weeks of life. They often will sleep through times when they should be breastfeeding. If it’s been longer than 2-3 hours since their last feed, wake them up using one of these techniques. 7. Take a nursing vacationA nursing vacation is where you and baby cuddle together, stay skin-to-skin, and remain in bed for 1-2 days. This is a great way to boost your milk supply because it’ll give you and baby plenty of chances to breastfeed more often. Don’t have time to fit in a nursing vacation? Just try to get skin-to-skin with baby when you’re both relaxing around the house… cozy up skin-to-skin for the win! 8. Do breast massage before feeding/pumpingMassaging your breasts beforehand helps clear your milk ducts and will cause your milk to flow more freely when you breastfeed or pump. 9. Decrease formula useIf you’re supplementing with formula it may lower your milk supply over time. If you’re interested in decreasing your baby’s formula intake, see a lactation consultant so they can create a plan for you to naturally increase your milk production while gradually decreasing formula supplementation. 10. Use warm compressesYou can use a warm washcloth or Booby Tubes before breastfeeding or pumping to stimulate your letdown and help you release more milk. 11. Power pumpAdd an extra pumping session to your routine. For a whole hour, pump on and off to increase breast milk. (pump 20 minutes, rest for 10, pump for 10, rest for 10, pump for 10). Give this a few days to take effect. 12. Ensure your baby has a deep latchA good latch is the key to breastfeeding efficiency. If your baby has a bad latch they may not be removing enough milk and that may make your supply not be where it should be. Get 9 breastfeeding latch tricks from lactation consultants here. 13. Hand express in between breastfeeding sessionsHand expressing is a skill every breastfeeding mom should learn. It’s an easy, efficient way to get milk out of your breasts whenever you need a boost. Here’s how to do it…
14. Eat enoughBreastfeeding moms need to eat about an extra 500 calories per day. Make sure you’re choosing nutrient-rich foods that will nourish your body. 15. Drink enoughWhile drinking tons of water won’t increase your milk supply, being dehydrated will lower your supply. So ensure you’re drinking enough water during the day to keep your supply up where it needs to be. 16. Eat a galactagogue!(aka breast milk inducing foods/herbs) DISCLAIMER ABOUT GALACTAGOGUES: The absolute non-negotiable to maintaining and increasing milk supply is removing plenty of milk… and often. Galactagogues will not work without adequate and frequent milk removal. Here are our favorites: THIS tea. THIS protein powder. PRO-TIP:
Still concerned about low milk supply?See an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). They have the most training in lactation and can diagnose breastfeeding issues and help you develop a plan to boost your supply. Find one here. How can I increase my breast milk supply immediately?You can increase your milk supply by:. Nursing your baby often. ... . Nurse your baby at least 15 minutes at each breast. ... . Gently massage breast before and during feedings.. Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress and promote the flow of breast milk.. Provide skin to skin time with your baby for about 20 minutes after feeds.. How can I increase my milk supply in 2 hours?How to increase breast milk production fast – 8 ways. Hands on pumping – do breast compressions. ... . Get multiple letdowns. ... . Warm compresses. ... . Oatmeal. ... . Hydration. ... . Lactation cookies. ... . Skin to skin with baby. ... . Nursing teas.. What naturally increases breast milk?Check Out Some Natural Breastfeeding Helpers
A bowl of oatmeal a day is a traditional milk booster that's also good for you. Some natural health practitioners also swear by herbal remedies such as fenugreek and wild asparagus to boost milk production.
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