Breastfeeding Supply: How Can You Increase Your Breastmilk

If you are a first time mother, you may suddenly be faced with a problem - how to increase your breastfeeding supply. It means you just can't produce enough breastmilk. However much milk you produce, the baby wants still more. You may be tempted to turn to methods to increase the milk supply. Take heart also, from a simple lesson in supply and demand that can provide reassurance Your hungry baby is not going against nature's call when she cries for food.

There are several positive steps you can take to increase your milk if you decide that your milk supply is low. If possible, plan to set aside a few days, to spend doing little else but working to increase your breast milk. It sounds strange, but there are various means by which to do so. Artificial ways too help. You could follow the steps below:

Nurse Frequently

You have to nurse or pump frequently to increase your breastfeeding supply, at least every 1 1/2 to 2 hours during the day and at least every 3 hours at night even if you must awaken your baby. Time your feedings from the beginning of one to the beginning of another. If your baby is available to nurse, this is preferable to pumping as he will better stimulate your breasts to produce more milk. In terms of a nursing position, allow the baby to nurse on each side until he pulls off himself. Also, offer both breasts at each feeding.

Use the Pump

Another means to increase breastfeeding supply is by means of a hospital-grade electric pump. Although you should opt for nursing, in case the baby cannot nurse directly at the breast, use a hospital-grade electric pump, which increases prolactin levels, for double pumping instead. Prolactin is a hormone which stimulates milk production. You have to pump for 10-15 minutes per session.

Encourage the Baby to Suck

By avoiding any bottles or pacifiers during this time, allow the baby to meet all of his sucking needs at the breast. Your baby's need to suck ensures that he spends adequate time at the breast to stimulate your supply.

Do not Use Supplements

Adding supplements including solid food, water, juice, and formula will result in your baby nursing less often and you getting less stimulation. Avoid supplements. You can take care that your baby is getting enough food by keeping a watch over his wet diapers and bowel movements.

Eat Right Foods

Snack often on foods rich in protein and calcium and drink sufficient amount of water and fluids to satisfy your thirst.

Take Frequent Rest

Rest as much as you can, taking your baby along with you to bed when you decide to rest. The rest will benefit you and the close skin-to-skin contact may encourage your baby to nurse more often.

Try Fenugreek as a Milk-Supplier Enhancer

You can try consuming the herb, fenugreek, which is helpful for increasing milk supply. Fenugreek, a means to increase breastfeeding supply, which works best when combined with greater efforts at nursing and/or pumping, can be found at your local health food store or nutrition store. The dosage is 2-4 capsules 3 times a day. Most mothers notice an increase in supply after using it 1-3 days. It is safe for your baby. While taking it, you may notice that your perspiration and urine smell like maple syrup as fenugreek is used to give artificial maple syrup its odor, but do not get alarmed at the odor. Some of the side effects include some mothers complaining of diarrhea while taking it. Fenugreek also makes the condition of those suffering from asthma worse, so watch for those symptoms.

Take Doctor-Prescribed Medicine

You can ask your doctor about prescription drugs like Reglan (Metoclopramide), available in the US and sometimes prescribed for low milk supply, if your breastfeeding supply does not register an increase with these measures.