How to Increase Milk Supply When All Else Fails
If you’re really struggling with supply, these strategies serve as a last resort.
Try pumping
Pumping can be a great short-term way to keep your breasts stimulated and producing more milk. I know from experience that consistent pumping really works. (Here’s how you can get a free breast pump.)
Pump after feedings
Pump right after a feeding until all of your milk drains from both breasts, then continue for an additional five minutes. If there is no milk from the beginning, just keep pumping—the stimulation will still help. Aim for 10 minutes on each breast. As an FYI, milk production tends to be highest between the hours of 2 and 5 a.m., so you may want to set an alarm and pump during this time as well.
Power pump
You can also try power pumping, a natural way to mimic cluster feeding with a breast pump. Check out this post for a special power pumping schedule.
Prescription medication
As a very last resort, you can talk to your doctor about prescription medication to boost supply. According to KellyMom, your doctor may prescribe medications like Metoclopramide (Reglan), Domperidone (Motilium), and sulpiride (Eglonyl, Dolmatil, Sulpitil, Sulparex, Equemote) to increase prolactin levels.
It’s important to note that, although they can help, they do have potential side effects, including but not limited to severe depression, diarrhea, and nausea.
How to Increase Milk Supply Naturally: The Basics
Remember: A breastfeeding relationship is based on a foundation of supply and demand. Be sure you’re also following the guidelines below:
Nurse, nurse, nurse…
There’s nothing that can increase milk supply like your baby’s suckling. You see, breast milk creation is all about supply and demand, and it’s a tightly regulated system.
Don’t worry if your breasts don’t feel full or think baby isn’t getting much milk, the sucking reflex will help stimulate more milk in the long run. So, anytime you can, bring your baby to the breast and let him nurse, nurse, nurse.
Nurse skin-to-skin
When you do nurse, go skin-to-skin. Take off your shirt and bra and keep baby in just a diaper. Wrap a blanket around the two of you and nurse away.
This practice is not only incredibly bonding for mama and baby, it also helps release more of the hormones that produce milk, as well as the milk ejector hormones. Continue this practice during nap time, bedtime, and throughout night.
Put no time limit on nursing sessions
If you are struggling with supply, it’s best not to schedule feedings or limit how much time baby is on each breast. Try to give baby both breasts during each feeding for more overall production. Take a “nursing vacation,” and spend the weekend in bed with baby, nursing as much as possible.
Don’t use pacifiers and bottles
Pacifiers and bottles not only satisfy baby’s oral stimulation, but can also reduce hunger, making baby less likely to nurse.
Get enough sleep and stay relaxed
Easier said than done with a newborn, but try as best you can. Studies show that mothers produce more milk and have a better milk letdown when they are calm and relaxed.
• Nap when baby naps.
• If you can, get a babysitter, neighbor or family member to help out.
• Cancel or eliminate too many outside activities and keep things simple.
• Order takeout or ask someone else to cook a nutritious meal.
• Listen to tranquil music, think of flowing streams and trust that you can and will successfully nurse your baby.
Make sure latch is right
If your baby can’t efficiently drain the breast, you may have problems with supply since the breast isn’t stimulated enough. It can be as simple as correcting a bad latch or addressing any anatomical issues that are preventing a good latch from a baby being lip tied, tongue tied, or mama having inverted nipples.
The good news is most of these issues can be corrected, so baby and mom can breastfeed successfully. If you’re having any issues in this department, it’s best to see a lactation consultant or seek out your local La Leche League chapter.
Breastfeeding Is Hard, But You Got This!
When we aren’t producing enough breast milk, our first inclination is to panic, but that’s the last thing we want to do. Stress can deplete milk supply more than anything else. (Here are some surprising ways to reduce your stress levels.) Breathe deeply and remember that everything will be OK. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that baby is fed.