Increasing Milk Supply: What Worked for Us

The adventure of breastfeeding comes with much anticipation and, at times, many challenges. One of the most common among mothers is maximizing and maintaining optimal milk supply. If you’re struggling with increasing milk supply, know that you’re not alone. Here, we’ll share our experiences and the breastfeeding tips that worked for us.

Understanding Milk Supply

Before we delve into methods for increasing milk supply, let’s briefly discuss the biology behind it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, milk production is a demand-and-supply process. When your baby empties the milk in your breasts, your body responds by making more. If your baby isn’t consuming all your milk or you’re not pumping often enough, your body may slow down milk production.

Breastfeeding Tips for Increasing Milk Supply

So, what can you do to increase your milk supply? Here are some breastfeeding tips that benefited us:

• Breastfeed more frequently: According to University Hospitals, the more frequently you nurse, the more milk your body produces. Try feeding on demand rather than sticking to a fixed schedule.
• Ensure proper latch: A good latch allows your baby to effectively empty your breasts, prompting your body to produce more milk. If you’re unsure about your baby’s latch, consider seeking advice from a lactation consultant.
• Switch sides: Make sure your baby feeds from both breasts during each feeding session to stimulate equal milk production.
• Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet: Good hydration and nutrition help boost milk production. Therefore, it’s essential to drink plenty of fluids and eat a well-balanced diet.

Using Lactation Tools

In addition to these tips, there are several lactation tools and products that can aid in increasing milk supply. Using these tools helped us balance feeds and keep our milk production steady:

• Double Electric Breast Pump: A double electric breast pump can mimic your baby’s suckling and stimulate more milk production. It’s also useful for times when direct breastfeeding isn’t possible.
• Nursing Pillow: Having a good nursing pillow can enhance your baby’s latch and ensure comfortable breastfeeding sessions.
• Lactation Foods and Supplements: Certain foods, teas, and supplements are believed to boost milk supply, including fenugreek, oats, and brewer’s yeast. However, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Remember, it’s key not to stress yourself too much about milk production. It’s perfectly normal for your milk supply to fluctuate. In addition to these tips, we found the practice of mindfulness beneficial in our breastfeeding journey. To learn more about it, check out our post on incorporating mindfulness in parenting, where we share some of the techniques that helped us maintain balance.

Relactation Techniques

Relactation refers to the process of restarting breastfeeding after a gap. This method can be beneficial if you have stopped breastfeeding due to low milk supply or following a personal or medical reason. Here are some relactation techniques that worked for us:

• Prolonged skin-to-skin contact: Skin-to-skin contact helps stimulate milk production by promoting a hormonal response in the body. It also makes breastfeeding easier as the close physical contact encourages more significant interaction with the baby.
• Massage therapy: Massage, especially in the chest area, can alert your body to produce more milk. It aids in releasing oxytocin (a hormone responsible for milk ejection) and is particularly beneficial when done before and during breastfeeding.
• Nipple stimulation: Nipple stimulation can be helpful in encouraging milk production. It can be achieved naturally through breastfeeding or by using a breast pump.
• Use a breast pump: Pumping frequently can also help reestablish milk supply. A double electric pump is especially useful as it can mimic the baby’s natural suckling pattern.

Professional Support

Seeking professional help is often crucial in the breastfeeding journey, especially when it comes to managing milk supply. We benefitted immensely from:

• Pediatrician consultation: Regular appointments with a pediatrician can be crucial in ensuring your baby is gaining weight appropriately and your milk supply is sufficient.
• Lactation consultant: A lactation consultant is another valuable resource. These specially trained professionals can provide personalized advice and established strategies for increasing milk supply. They can also help work through any breastfeeding issues or concerns you may have.

Breastfeeding Education

Breastfeeding education was an essential step in our journey. Understanding the science of breastfeeding helped us significantly in managing our milk supply. Websites like the WIC Breastfeeding(USDA) provide a wealth of information about breastfeeding. They discuss common challenges faced by mothers and offer tested advice on various issues, from milk supply to latch difficulties. Moreover, they also provide comprehensive details on the steps to ensure a good latch, which is crucial for maintaining an excellent milk supply.

Breastfeeding and increasing milk supply can be a complex process, but with patience, consistency, and the right techniques, it’s quite doable. We found that being open to learning, seeking professional advice, and relying on our bodies’ instincts helped us the most. We encourage everyone beginning this journey to trust the process and believe in their body’s ability. It is worth remembering that every mother’s experience is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. So take the time to find what works best for you and your baby.