How do I increase my milk supply?Milk Supply how it works: Demand=Supply Demand=Supply Demand=Supply, did I say demand=supply?Ok then, so you make what you empty. So, are you emptying your breasts every 2-3 hours 24 hours a day? If not, start by doing that. Emptying every 2-3 hours means all day and all night. You cannot skip 8 hours at night and expect your body to make milk all day long. And the same goes for during the day, if you are working and you are only emptying once in a 10 hour day, you are telling your body you do not need the milk so it quits producing. Most often, it is not a milk supply issue, it is a lack of emptying issue. But other causes can be: return of your menstrual cycle, hormone imbalances (prolactin, oxytocin, thyroid), pregnancy, anemia and illness. If you are emptying every 2-3 hours during a 24 day and still experiencing low supply: now we will talk about what to do. Stimulate More. So pump or nurse MORE frequently to send signals to your brain to make more milk. Heres how it works: The breastfeeding hormones responsible for making breastmilk are prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin is supply, oxytocin is letdown. Both are secreted from the pituitary gland in the brain. Nipple stimuli and emptying send signals to the brain to release the hormones. Also, Rest, and drink plenty of water. Oh, and dont forget those all important prenatal vitamins while you are lactating.
Consider the use of a galactagogue. These are herbs or prescription medications(like mothers milk tea, fenugreek, blessed thistle) your physician can recommend or prescribe to increase your supply. These only work in combination with frequent emptying, however. And must be approved by your physician. Find a lactation consultant to talk this over. What is a normal newborn feeding schedule?
Many women believe they have insufficient breastmilk due to the fact newborns breastfeed so often. Here is an example of a NORMAL breastfeeding infant feeding chart: This is 12 feeds in 24 hours and 8-12 feeds per 24 hours is normal. Any way they pattern it out. Breastmilk is predigested and they require frequent feeding to keep up with their rapid rate of growth. It will not last forever. Be stubborn! Dont give up.
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