A number of factors can affect a mother's breast milk supply, according to breastfeeding advocacy group La Leche League. Some of these, such as genetics or an illness, are beyond the mother's control. However, mothers can make decisions that may increase their milk supply naturally and safely. Though there is a wide assortment of viable methods, they can be broken down into three basic categories: diet, timing and lifestyle.
Diet
Step 1
Begin by eating a healthy diet and drinking a minimum of six to eight glasses of fluid per day. If your body isn't healthy, breast milk can be one of the first things it gives up on.
Step 2
Increase your intake of foods that can increase breast milk supply, such as carrots, leafy greens, nuts and food rich in fats and oil. Many spices can improve production, including gomasio, dill, caraway, basil, turmeric, marjoram and garlic, suggests Mobi Motherhood International. Often, new moms, after months of having a picky tummy, love this excuse to once again spice up their diets.
Step 3
Consider diet supplements to boost production. Some natural supplements that have been linked with breast milk production include fenugreek, brewer's yeast, red raspberry tea and blessed thistle.
Timing
Step 1
Feed your baby regularly, but not according to a strict schedule. According to BreastFeedingBasics.com, breast feeding frequently is the best way to increase your supply.
Step 2
Offer both breasts at each feeding, switching from the first to the second as soon as baby begins slowing down. This ensures that both breasts receive enough sucking stimulation to encourage high production in both.
Step 3
Consider a hospital-grade breast pump, pumping for 10 to 20 minutes after each feeding. This ensures a supply of breast milk for baby when you're sleeping or otherwise unavailable, and gets your body used to producing more milk than baby actually demands at any one sitting.
Lifestyle
Step 1
La Leche League notes that stress is one of the main causes of reduced breast milk supply. Although having a new baby is a stressful time, do what you can to get enough exercise, relaxation and real sleep.
Step 2
Avoid feeding baby formula whenever possible. Every meal the baby takes that's not breast milk reduces the amount of milk demanded from your body.
Step 3
Make healthy lifestyle decisions while breastfeeding, for example, avoiding drugs and excessive alcohol. Though these don't necessarily have a direct impact on the volume of your milk, they can affect the quality. As a general rule, don't put anything in your body that you wouldn't want to go into baby's.
