Many mothers worry about their babies getting enough nutrients. And while you’re busy sticking to the recommended feeding schedule, pumping, nursing, eating well, and all the in-between – worrying you’re not making enough milk for your baby is one more concern you don’t need stressing you out! (Stress, of course, is also bad for milk production and baby!) While most mothers’ bodies produce just enough milk for their little ones, sometimes other factors can affect one’s supply. If you find yourself struggling to produce enough milk, follow these tips to work on increasing your supply.
Do it More Often
Try nursing your baby every 2 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours at night. If they won’t feed, then use a breast pump to work on training your body to produce more milk on a tighter schedule. Additionally, nurse your breasts evenly, at least 15 minutes per breast, switching them often. It is also important to make sure your baby has a good latch on your nipple. It could be the reason they aren’t getting enough milk! Finally, while nursing, breast compression can also help drain milk from the breast.
Stay Zen
Stress levels are an important factor that affects milk supply. Meditating, massaging the breasts, and reducing your overall stress will help your production increase. Another tip is to warm your breasts before or in between feedings. Using a warm compress or taking a hot shower or bath can help your milk flow more freely. Finally, sleep is always a huge factor in our overall health. Getting enough rest and eating a healthy diet will contribute to your production levels.
Try Vitamins, Supplements & Foods
The number of products available in the market that help increase your milk supply is abundant. Legendairy Milk’s supplements are a great first step in utilizing internal products to help your production. Fenugreek is a natural herb commonly used in Indian recipes that have been shown to aid in milk production. Other ingredients that may help your supply include garlic, ginger, fennel, alfalfa, and certain teas. Many companies sell lactation cookies or other foods that include helpful ingredients to increase your overall production. As always, talk to your doctor before trying anything new, as even natural remedies can cause side effects.
If you need more breastfeeding assistance, want to talk through your options, or feel stuck, we offer virtual meetings with expert lactation consultants who are dedicated to helping you reach your breastfeeding goals. Make an appointment here – it just may be covered by your insurance!
