Nursing mothers often worry that their babies are not receiving enough milk to support their development. If your baby does not seem to be gaining the proper amount of weight given his length and age, consider engaging in some activities and dietary changes that may help you increase your milk supply.
Step 1
Nurse your baby every two hours, even waking her up from naps in order to increase feeding frequency. Boosting the number of feedings per day helps to boost the fat levels in breast milk. Even if you feel your breasts are not full, there is always milk available in the breast.
Step 2
Switch breast sides only when the baby seems finished. Some mothers use timers to ensure the baby spends enough time on each breast. However, this may also lead to shorter feeding times for the baby. Think of increasing milk supply as the law of supply and demand: If the mom leaves the baby for longer on the breast, the woman's body will respond to the demand by increasing milk supply---and that milk tends to be of a higher quality than milk produced at the beginning of a feeding session.
Step 3
Undress your baby prior to feedings. This skin-to-skin contact helps to boost your milk ejection reflex, which is responsible for increasing the amount of milk that comes out of your milk glands. As an added benefit, this can encourage sleepy babies to awaken as well as encourage your child to feed more vigorously. You can hold a blanket to the baby's back in order to prevent the baby from becoming too cold.
Step 4
Practice relaxation techniques prior to breastfeeding. These can include reclining in a comfortable position, to deep breathing, to sitting quietly for a few moments prior to breastfeeding. Relaxation has been linked with increasing milk-producing hormones, which can in turn allow you to feed longer.
Step 5
Eat plenty of whole grains. Whole grains, such as oatmeal and brown rice are high in B vitamins, which have been shown to contribute to milk production.
Tips and Warnings
- Babies may take some extra encouragement to drink their mother's milk more frequently. You may need to offer your breast to your baby more in order to experience more prolonged feedings.
- Using pacifiers and bottles may make it more difficult for nursing mothers to experience breastfeeding success. Because these outside apparatuses can encourage the baby to satisfy her sucking desire, keep sucking functions limited to strictly breastfeeding.
