How to Increase Milk Supply???

Get that sweet thing on rice cereal now. Mix with a little formula or breast milk and feed him off a spoon. Been there, done that.

I just had the same problem. I also have a 5 month old baby boy:) I was told to try the herb, Fenugreek. I was wary (not usually big on herbs) but it really works! I bought it in capsule form at Henry's. My milk increased by the second dose the very first day I tried it. I also increased my water intake.
Good luck!

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for more info check this link from AAP, page two:
http://www.aap.org/breastfeeding/2002NCEabstracts.pdf

drink more fluids, nurse more often. Congradualtions on choosing to nurse that is the most wonderful thing you can do for your newborn and yourself. the bond will last forever.

Hi R.,
Your supply should come back on its own. The more he feeds, the more milk will come in. Just try to rest and focus on baby.

Hi
The more you feed him, the more milk you will have. Maybe he is trying to increase your supply himself! Remember to drink lots of water. You can also try fenugreek/ mother's tea / Mamasmilk from your local Henry's or Mothers Market
Good luck

Breastfeeding is arduous.
Right now, your son is wanting to nurse often, this is called "cluster feeding" which is normal, AND many times they even want to nurse every hour. Both my kids did that too.

BUT, this cluster feeding will work by naturally increasing your milk supply...that is the purpose of it AND its the body's way of producing enough milk for a baby's growth spurts... whereby their intake naturally has to increase.

I know its tiring, but try to keep at it.
If your supply still is not ample though, then see a Lactation Consultant. But dont' wait too long... baby needs sufficient intake daily, or it affects them.

My son, had a GINORMOUS appetite and I nursed him constantly, using BOTH breasts per session. He emptied both breasts each time even though I had a lot of milk. From about 6 months, I had to supplement him with Formula... and then he was satisfied. But "supplementing" did not mean that I "replaced" breastfeeding with formula... I nursed FIRST, both breasts, THEN if my son needed more and he indicated to me, then I supplemented with a little formula, AFTER nursing. But each baby is different and each situation. Don't feel bad that you had to pump and supplement beforehand.

The bottom line is, that your baby get enough intake daily, or he will be constantly hungry. And 6 months is usually a "growth spurt" time where their intake needs naturally increases.. feed on demand 24/7.

All the best,
Susan

this is my old list i made when i was bfing

1. rent a hospital grade pump..Medela Classic is what i'm using..it's
$3 a day and totally worth it! OR better yet buy one off ebay and
when you're done you can re-sell it on ebay and get your money back.
i bought one and it works great..the medela classic is supposed to be
the best pump out there.
2. get the Easy Expression bra www.easyexpressionproducts.com it
holds both cups over you bb's and it's better to pump 2 at a time
3. eat oatmeal ....get the healthy kind i add bananas also i would
think pasta would be good b/c it retains water
4. Take "Lactation Supplement" by Gaia Herbs you can find it at the
health food store
5. try to pump at the same time every day...also try power pumping..
10 minutes pumping..then stop for 10 then 10 again and then stop and
so on. even pump if you aren't getting anything.
6. Make sure the white membrane thingies that attach onto the cups
are fairly new ..over used ones affect how much milk you get
7. Drink lots of fluids including Nursing Mom's tea or Mother's Milk
tea or the tea i prefer is www.breastea.com ..also drinks with
electrolytes like Recharge...Smart Water...Gatorade i notice on days
i drink a lot of fluids i have more milk
8. Eat barley..Barley Grass supplements are great. also..they have
barley bread at Trader Joe's if you have a Trader Joe's where you
live..or just buy barley. I buy a delicious barley tea at the
japanese market and i drink a couple of cups a day..it's decaf and
yummy.
i also drink Healthy Mom's drinks by Ensure
9.A warm wash cloth helps too ..apply to breasts before pumping or
try the breast heating pads that you heat up in the microwave.
10. Keep taking your prenatal vitamin..not getting a lot of milk
could mean a vitamin deficiency
even if you pump just a little ..save what you get and start adding
them together and then supplement with the milk that you pump..that's
why it's also good to pump after they've gone to sleep..then you help
build your supply and you also have more bb milk for baby..
11. nurse nurse nurse..triple up on nursing..you're going to have to
dedicate a week to it
the more you pump the more milk you'll begin to make.
12. LOTS OF REST..nap if you can ..milk builds when you rest
13. DHA supplements also are great for lactation..also found at the
health food store*
14. Alfalfa supplements are also great.
i think that's it..
15. Try a whey protein powder drink.. i use "Whey to Go" by
Solgar..you mix it with milk add some berries and a banana. it says
to check with your doc before using if you're bfing..so ask your
doc..i only drink one a day and i add a some Motherlove's "More Milk
Plus" to it.
16. Again you should double pump when you're pumping so make sure you
get the bra to make it easier on you!
17. Goat's Rue herb is also supposed to help boost
honestly drink LOTS of liquids
keep yourself moist ...don't take any birth control pills.
18. there is also this stuff called Motilium aka DOM a lot of mom's
use this ..it's for reflux but it builds up your supply.. you can
read about it on Kellymom.com http://www.kellymom.com/newman/19a-
domperidone1.html
and you can buy it here... http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/general/
motilium.html

Exclusively breastfeed him every hour if he'll take it. he is helping you to build up your milk supply back. and - oh yes, explore the alternatives to nasty meds. there are tons to therapies out there from special breathing to TCM and surely my favorite - homeopathy.
Good Luck
V.

Hi R.,
I had low milk supply which started around 9 weeks--mostly at night. But then things started to take a dip again once my period came back at 4 months.

I started taking FENUGREEK and then added BLESSED THISTLE shortly there after. I took it 3x a day and took over the recommended dosage (as told to by an LC). (It 5 capsules 3x day for 5 days then 3 capsules 3x a day using Nature's Way) This REALLY REALLY worked along with pumping when I could. Nighttime is still a little tricky, but I have decided to give a bottle along with b/f to help tank up my daughter.

The brand I like is Solaray since it has more per capsule so you need to take less--I take just 2 capsules 3x day, though now I only take it once. I have also used Motherlove's MORE MILK PLUS tincture which also really helps.

So the bottom line is NURSE + PUMP + HERBS = MORE MILK!

The good news too is soon your baby will be able to eat solids and that will take a little pressure off of the nursing.

Good luck!

You can try a natural herb-fenugreek. I have used it and I also drink Mother's Milk Tea(you can get it at Smiths' or a organic gracer or online ordering). I have also drank a beer and in 1/2 hour I had lots of milk, I think it's the yeast in the beer that causes the reaction. I have five children(8,5,4,21 months and 3 months) So I have done it all and these are the methods I found that work. Let us know how it works out for you.Best Wishes

You can take Mothers"More Milk Plus" drops and Fennel casuals. More milk plus tea. You can breast feed as well as top him off with formula. Go to Whole Foods they have a lot to chose from. Every body is different and somethings work for one and don't work for all. If you are really stressed and anxious your milk supply will be much less.
Best of luck to you

The simplest way to increase your supply is to just devote a day to letting him suck as much and as often as he wants to. You won't get much done, but it really should only take a day.

However, at 5 1/2 months, it may just be that breastmilk is no longer enough.

You don't say how big he is, but my youngest was 20 lbs at that age, and I was determined to wait until 6 months because of a family history of food allergies. I wasn't sick, my supply was fine, and she just started wanting to feed every hour. She was fascinated by everything we ate, and was just showing all the signs of being ready. I gave her some real food, and suddenly she was happy, and a bit sleepy. :)

Hello R..

You may have already tried this, but a good thing to do while nursing is to pump the opposite breast at the same time. The sucking from the child causes more milk to let down. When he is done on one side switch and put the pump on the other breast. I used to get 4 full ounces from each breast while nursing my sons. The increased demand should also hel your pruduction to pick back up.

You'll also have the extra milk to bottle feed and keep him satisfied.

Best of Luck.

P. A.

My lactation consultant said to drink a dark beer. Weird, but it worked. db

Breast feeding is all about supply and demand. You will need to feed as often as the baby needs it to increase your supply. It is tiring at first however well worth it in the end. Try to feed even every hour during the day and hopefully baby will sleep longer at night. In a short time your supply will be up until the time when the baby's apetite increases. Try to relax and enjoy these beautiful moments with your baby.

fenugreek, putting him no the breast EVERY HOUR for a day or two, the stimulation brings the milk back, lactation cookies (look online for a recipe...they are yummy), eat oatmeal...

Fenugreek and mother's milk tea

Oatmeal in the morning, and drink a pot or 2 of Mother's Milk tea during the day. Add in one extra pumping during the day - and in about 3 days, your milk supply will be back.

Just keep nursing when he wants...he is increasing your milk supply. All 3 of my kids nursed every hour at times...its's a lot of work, but when he reaches the amount he needs, the time will increase in between feedings. Good luck!!

sounds like a question for nurse/midwife.

I see you've had a large response, but just to add one thing... someone mentioned More Milk Plus tincture... I use the capsules and I think they're easier to take. They REALLY work and were recommended to me by a lactation consultant. You can buy them at Henry's and they usually take effect in 24 hours. I couldn't breastfeed my first child because I didn't make enough milk- no matter what I tried! This time around I used the supplement and haven't had any problems. Good luck!

When my milk supply dropped I consulted with a lactation expert at the Pump Station in Hollywood by phone. She said the following:
* Eat more - load up on carbs and don't restrict intake
* Drink plenty of Mother's Milk Tea
* Pump even when milk is not coming out
* Nurse frequently - he will help increase your milk supply
* Sleep with baby on or near you to increase production
* Try to help your son stick with the breast by not giving him a bottle but by giving him a pacifier and then your breast

Best of luck,
J.
www.drjessicazucker.com

OATMEAL!! It worked for me after I had tried EVERYTHING else.

Try Fenugreek. It worked for me when I was feeding my twins. Also, know that if he wants to eat every hour he is helping to increase your supply. Go with it!

Milk supply is supply & demand. So now that you're feeling better, pump and nurse as often as possible, it will take your body a few days to catch up. Even if nothing comes out, pump after you nurse and your body will figure out that it needs more milk.

Hi, I had this happen with my youngest when he was 3 months old. He has reflux and it went undiagnosed. Anyway, keep letting him eat repeatedly. Let him latch and suck every hour and a half. Your supply will return. It's hard and it takes some time but it will. Don't worry. You can keep suplimenting while you need it.

My lactation consultant recommended More Milk Plus. It's a tincture that you drop into your drink a few times a day. Worked well for me. If it's going to work for you, you will see marked results within in 24-48 hours. It's all natural. Has Blessed Thistle, Fenugreek, and a few other herbs in it. You can get it at places like Henry's Marketplace, Sprouts Marketplace, WholeFoods, etc.

Good luck!

If you go to the breastfeeding section of kellymom.com you will get great advice on this issue. It really helped me a lot! When I had lower supply a lactation consultant told me to take fenugreek but check with your doctor about that 1st. Good luck- I had the stomach flu when my little one was 3 weeks old and I felt like I was going to die I was so sick and tired so I can def. relate! It's exhausting!

I hated the smell of fenugreek - to the point of gagging.

His demand will bring the supply back up....so just keep nursing him until it gets back to normal.

I would get PB8 - a rockin' probiotic to balance out your intestinal flora destroyed by antibitoics, if that' what you took....so you can actually absorb your nutrients and the herbs, so they can work.

A dark beer helped me...the darker, the better. I also used Mammary PMG and it worked like a charm.

Good luck!