And what to do if all else fails.
As a mom, whether you’re a first-time mom or a vet, we all have our concerns when it comes down to nursing. How can something that seems so simple be so complex?
I mean think about it, our foremothers nursed for generations dating all the way back to the beginning of time, and not one history book tells us about low milk supply, or babies not gaining weight properly. Yet here we are in the 21st century at 3am reading post after post on how to increase milk supply and stressing ourselves out.
The reality is, low milk supply is rare, (insert sigh of relief), our bodies make milk on demand. This simply means that we produce the amount of milk that baby needs, and more often than not our milk issues stem from QUALITY not quantity. However, if you are still concerned about supply, or if your milk has in fact decreased, I’m here to share with you highly effective ways to quickly increase your milk supply!
*Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. All information provided is from extensive research and consulting with professionals. This article contains affiliate links; however, I only recommend what I’ve already tried and trust.
1. Don’t Stress
I know that learning your milk supply has dropped can be difficult, however, adding stress on top of what’s already causing your low milk supply is only making it worse.
2. Baby Knows Best
Babies can get much more milk out of the breast then we can get out of pumping. However, if you prefer to exclusively pump for your own reasons, you can still use baby to help promote flow and production;
· Skin to skin helps boost oxytocin to encourage flow
· Baby’s scent or visualization, they essentially do the same as skin to skin with promoting oxytocin
· Even if you allow baby to latch briefly it can help with production, baby’s saliva contains chemicals that transfer to mother’s body and adjust the milk to their specific needs
3. Relax
A simple cause of reduced breast milk production could be because of exhaustion, your body needs to regain balance and regulate those hormones to be able to effectively produce milk.
4. Check your Pump
Make Sure Your Flanges Fit Properly, make sure they are the correct size still. Changing your pump parts has to be a part of your monthly/bi-monthly routine, especially if you’re exclusively pumping.
How Often Should Pump Parts be Changed?
Valves and membranes – 4-6 weeks
Tubing – 6 months
Breast shields and connectors – 4-6 months
Backflow protectors – 6 months
5. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Your body needs extra fluid to produce milk. I drink Coconut Water with pineapple juice, Body Armor, and a Pink Drink Copycat, that I’ll post the ingredients for below. Having PCOS my body needs way more water and fluids to be able to produce and keep up with my supply.
Pink Drink Copycat
· 1:1 ratio of White Cran-Strawberry Juice and Coconut milk
6. Increase Your Calories
Moments when I’m feeling as if I’m lacking, I always go to a nice hearty meal of chicken and rice or oatmeal and that seems to do the trick. I always make sure to keep healthy fats in the house just for the extra calories. Try to include healthy fats like avocado, coconut cream, and ghee into your diet to help you produce high quality milk.
Here’s a few snacks I like that help with milk supply:
· Pretzels and avocado
· Beef Jerky
· Full fat yogurt
· Sweet Potato fries
· Pita Chips and Hummus
I’m not too crazy on the taste but it does grow on you. A nice hot cup of this after a nice hot shower, not only is relaxing, but the heat helps with the flow of all that liquid gold.
8. Power Pumping
This is a technique EVERYONE seems to be talking about, and for good reason! A session of power pumping increased my milk by 1.5 oz by the next day. It requires dedication, and serious nipple commitment, but worth it all! You’ll end up pumping three times within an hour. Here’s what you do:
· Get a warm towel to help with let down
· Pump for a FULL 20 min
· Rest for 10min
· Pump another 10min
· Rest for 10min
· Pump again 10min
You'll need storage bags and nipple care.
What to do in the meantime:
There may be a time during your milk supply down-turn that you will need to supplement your baby’s diet.
Goat Milk – This was my go-to supplement with my first born, and when its warmed it taste no different than regular milk. Milk from a goat can be used in an emergency. It isn’t recommended for long-term use (it is low in vitamins B12 and folic acid), but it can get your baby much needed sustenance temporarily.
You can also supplement with formula or home-made formula, below is a recipe that was used since the 1920’s
The baby formula has a basic three-ingredient recipe:
· 13 OZ evaporated milk
· 19 OZ boiled water
· 2 TBSP corn syrup (or sugar)
You can stock up on evaporated milk online, both evaporated milk and sugar can last in the pantry for at least six months, which is wise to keep in case of emergencies.
*The corn syrup was meant to stave off constipation. These days, health services suggest using sugar instead (Alaska DHSS) in homemade baby formulas. You can also tweak the amount of sugar based on your child’s needs.
If your baby requires more, you will want to proportionally increase the ingredients, making sure the ratios stay the same. This recipe helps babies gain weight, but does miss out on some of the vitamins and nutrients store-bought formula provides. Vitamin supplements can always be added to the recipe to make up for any deficits.
The important thing to remember is your baby will not starve, and you have options. However you decide to keep you little one happy and healthy is what makes you to be a good mother! If you found this post to be helpful, be sure to subscribe, follow and share with others.
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