Breastfeeding is a natural part of life, but successful breastfeeding does not always come naturally. Women often get discouraged when nursing, because there are so many potential issues. One of the most common issues is milk supply. Some women may perceive their supply as too low, because their breasts do not seem to get as full or the baby wants to nurse more frequently. These are not always signs of supply issues. Breasts eventually adjust to meet your baby's needs and no longer become engorged. Frequent nursing may be a sign of a growth spurt. Some signs of a true supply issue include a baby who is not gaining weight or a baby who has infrequent wet diapers. There are several things you can do to build up your breast milk supply.
Step 1
Increase your water intake. Familyresource.com recommends at least 2.5 to 3 quarts of water per day. Since breast milk is mostly water, without replenishing your hydration you may not be able to produce enough milk. Keep a full bottle of water near you at all times, especially where you will be nursing. Sipping water while you nurse can help you remember to drink more. Eat a healthy diet, too. Not only will you increase your milk supply by eating a well-rounded diet, but you will also ensure that you and your baby are getting plenty of nutrients.
Step 2
Get plenty of rest. It sounds impossible, but try to sleep as much as you can during the first weeks your new baby is home. If your baby is still nursing every two to four hours, it may be best to rest while she does, or have someone watch the baby while you nap.
Step 3
Empty both breasts as frequently as possible. If your baby is nursing both sides for 20 minutes each, then she is probably doing a sufficient job. If you are unsure, try pumping with a breast pump after a nursing session. Reserve and save the milk until later, if needed. You can even freeze it for when you will be away from your infant. By pumping after a nursing session, not only will you be able to check the leftover milk supply, but also will stimulate the breasts to produce more milk. Do not be discouraged if very little milk comes from the pumping. Sometimes a baby is more efficient than a breast pump.
Step 4
Check your baby's latch. If your baby has a wide mouth and has nearly all of the areola in her mouth, then she has properly latched onto the breast. Listen for a pattern of sucking and then swallowing. Before your milk comes in at the start of nursing, you may hear a pattern of two sucks and then a swallow. Once the milk comes in you are likely to only see baby suck and hear her swallow. This means things are flowing just fine. Do not stop the nursing session. Allow your baby to determine when she is done breastfeeding. Even if she seems to be doing nothing more than suckling for comfort, this can help stimulate more milk production.
Step 5
Contact a lactation consultant or your doctor for help if none of the techniques seem to be helping. Your baby may be getting plenty of milk and you do not realize it. If there really is a problem, a lactation consultant should be able to guide you.
Tips and Warnings
- Limit the use of a pacifier to encourage baby to suckle the breast more often.
- Fenugreek or Mother's Milk Tea are common herbal remedies for milk supply issues, but they should only be used under the advice of a health care provider.
Things You'll Need
- Breast pump
