Breast milk is the best food for babies, but sometimes breastfeeding can be a challenge. One common difficulty faced by nursing moms is a low milk supply. If a breastfed baby isn't gaining weight or is gaining too slowly, the mother may want to try some natural techniques for increasing milk supply before turning to medication or supplementing the baby with formula.
Step 1
Women should nurse the baby frequently and spend a long time nursing. The biggest key to increasing the amount of milk the breasts make is increasing the amount of time the baby spends suckling at the breast, explains Dr. Sears. Ideally, mothers should nurse every two hours during the day and go no longer than four hours at night. Moms should let the baby nurse as long as he wants and not attempt to stop him.
Because milk production acts on a supply and demand system, the more the baby sucks, the more milk the body will produce. Some women like to take a weekend or a few days to dedicate themselves to nursing every hour or two and building up their supply rapidly. This is probably the most effective way to boost supply quickly.
Step 2
Moms should pump the milk. While women may be worried that pumping will decrease the amount of milk available for the baby, it will actually do the opposite. Pumping causes the breasts to produce more milk in order to meet the perceived demand for extra feedings.
Mothers can pump between feedings or immediately after a feeding to completely clear the breast of milk, which stimulates more milk production. Individuals should start small, pumping an ounce or two, and gradually build up to larger amounts. Women can save the pumped milk in the freezer for future use.
Step 3
Moms can try the herb fenugreek. According to Kellymom, moms will need a minimum of 3500 milligrams a day for fenugreek to have an effect. Most women find that fenugreek helps their milk supply after 24 to 72 hours, but some have to wait up to a couple of weeks to get the full effect. Fenugreek is available in capsules, powdered form, as seeds or included in special teas for nursing mothers.
Tips and Warnings
- If trying to increase milk supply, moms should be sure to eliminate all supplemental formula and water given to the baby. These extra liquids make the baby suckle less often and drink less when they do go to the breast, causing the breasts to receive less stimulation and produce less milk. If a woman has to add supplemental feedings, she should try to use stored breast milk first instead of formula and try to use supplemental feeding systems other than a bottle, such as a feeding syringe.
- If a baby is losing weight instead of gaining and an increased milk supply doesn't seem to help, his mother should check with his pediatrician to determine whether there is an undiagnosed underlying medical problem.
Things You'll Need
- Breast pump
- Fenugreek
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