Breastfeeding: Tips to Increase Your Milk Supply

Signs that a baby is being well nourished:

• Your baby nurses at least 8 to 12 times or more in 24 hours, or every 2 to 3 hours. Feeding more than 12 times may increase supply. Nurse your baby at least 15 minutes at each breast, but not limit nursing time. If your baby falls asleep after one breast, wake him or her and offer the second breast. Your baby may be fussy once or twice a day. At these times, he or she wants to nurse often for several hours before seeming full. This is called cluster feeding.
• Your baby has at least 6 clear or pale yellow urine diapers in 24 hours by the 4th day.
• Your baby has 3 – 4 stools by the 4th day. The color of the stool will change from dark green to yellow in color by day 5. The stool will also become loose and seedy.
• You can hear your baby swallow milk while feeding or you can feel your baby swallow when lightly touching his or her throat. Your breasts feel softer after nursing.
• Your baby gains 4 to 8 ounces a week after the first week, and should regain his/her birthweight by 10 to 14 days after birth. There is no need to weigh your baby at home. Your baby’s pediatric provider or lactation consultant will do this for you. You may notice that your baby has outgrown his or her clothing.

Factors which can cause your milk supply to decrease:

• Your baby feeds fewer than 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Milk production is affected by how often and how well the breast is drained.
• Your baby has a very weak suck, or has an improper latch.
• Giving bottles of formula or water after nursing. Most babies will suck on a bottle after nursing. This just means they need to suck. It does not mean they are still hungry. Babies cry or fuss for many reasons, such as being tired, bored, wet, hot or cold.
• Giving solid foods too early and/or before you breastfeed. Most babies do not need solid foods for the first 6 months if they are breastfeeding 8 to 12 times a day.
• Smoking can cause a decreased milk supply and interfere with the letdown reflex. Here are some things you should do:
  • Try to quit or cut down.
  • Smoke after nursing, not before.
  • Don’t smoke in the same room with your baby.
• Beginning birth control pills too soon can decrease your milk supply. Wait at least 6 weeks before taking birth control pills and then use only the mini-pill (Progestin). If you still notice a decrease in your milk supply, talk to your doctor about other birth control options. Other medications may also affect milk supply. Check with your doctor. (Refer to Breastfeeding and Birth Control.)
• Mothers who are exhausted may notice a decrease in milk supply. To keep yourself from getting too tired:
  • Sleep or relax when your baby sleeps.
  • Eat balanced diet that includes high – protein food.
  • Drink when you are thirsty so that your urine is pale yellow in color. Both under and excessive over hydration can decrease milk supply.
  • Take an iron supplement if your healthcare provider says you are anemic.
  • Talk with your doctor or nurse midwife about the need for vitamin supplement.
  • Accept help when it is offered.
• Use of nipple shields and pacifiers can decrease supply.
• A breast flange that is too small or too large in size can hurt your milk supply.
• Pregnancy or resumption of your menstrual period.
• Breast reduction surgery may reduce milk supply.

If you notice your milk supply is low, you can increase it by:

• Feeding often. Be sure baby is positioned and latched correctly. Offer both breasts at each feeding. Feed every 2 hours during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night (at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours). If your baby will not latch, use a good quality double electric breast pump to increase milk production. Pumping after breastfeeding signals your body to produce more milk.
• A few babies may benefit from nursing at one breast per feeding to increase the fat content of the feeding. Other babies benefit from switch nursing – switching breasts several times during a feeding has been shown to increase milk supply. Speak with a lactation consultant if there are concerns about how your baby is gaining weight.
• Gently massage breast before and during feedings. Breast compression during the feeding helps drain the breast. Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress and promote the flow of milk.
• Provide skin to skin time with your baby for about 20 minutes after feeds. This “kangaroo care” has been shown to increase milk supply.
• Pump immediately after feeding during the day. Rest at night, but if your baby is not latching pump 1 – 2 times during the night when you awaken to feed the baby. Some mothers find that they get more milk if they pump for 5 minutes, rest for 5 minutes, and pump for another 10 minutes.
• See a lactation consultant as soon as you have concerns to help determine the best solutions for your circumstances, and talk with your OB provider about the herbs such as fenugreek or medication to help milk supply.

Works Cited

Wambach, Karen and Spencer, Becky “Breastfeeding and Human Lactation”, Sixth edition, Jones & Bartlett, 2021.