5 Helpful Ways To Increase Breastmilk Supply

Breast milk should be the only source of nourishment for a baby for the first six months. Thus, several lactating women may wonder how to increase milk supply safely.

To ensure agood milk flow, mothers should start breastfeeding at the earliest and continue frequent nursing.Good baby latching also ensures effective milk flow.

Insufficient milk production is not a common concern since new mothers usually produce sufficient milk. However, if you have been facing issues with breastfeeding, this post will help you establish a normal milk supply (1).

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How To Know If Your Milk Supply Is Low?

If the baby is losing weight past the three day mark.

Image: Shutterstock

Here are some signs that alert the mother to a lowmilk supply(2):

  • If the baby is losing weight past the three day mark or not gaining an adequate amount of weight (per your pediatrician’s examination)
  • If the baby is producing less than the expected number of wet and dirty diapers for their age (day or week after birth)
  • If the baby is showing dehydration signs, such as dry mouth, dark urine, ‘brick dust’,jaundiceor irritability
  • If the baby is not feeding for long or less than eight times per day in the first month after birth
  • If the mother is not eating enough food to sustain her supply
  • If the mother is dehydrated

What Are The Causes Of Low Milk Supply?

Smoking and alcohol intake can affect the amount of milk supply in a mother.

Image: Shutterstock

Some possible causes that can lead to low milk supply in mothers (3):

  • Oral contraceptives containing estrogen may cause bodily imbalances resulting in low milk supply.
  • Smoking and alcoholintake can also affect the amount of milk supply in a mother.
  • Recent mastitis(infection of breast tissue) may cause a low milk supply.
  • Breast surgerycan impact the creation and supply of milk.
  • Scheduled breastfeedingor timed feeds leading to a lack of breast stimulation
  • Inability of the baby to consume breast milkeffectively.
  • Baby does not feed at frequent intervals(most babies feed at least eight to 12 times daily)
  • Baby isunable to latch properlyto the breast.

Existing health issues, such asanemia, thyroid disorders or retained placenta, can also be the reasons for low milk supply, but they are rare.

protip_icon Did you know?
Severe postpartum bleeding and treatment with magnesium sulfate before birth for high blood pressure or preterm labor may also cause low milk supply in mothers (9).

Way To Increase Breast Milk Supply

If the mother cannot create sufficientmilk for the baby, she should be encouraged to follow basic measures such as good hydration and diet, gently massaging the breast before latching the baby, limiting caffeine consumption to 200mg per day, quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol consumption. Here are some tips to help the mother increase milk supply (4):

  1. Pumping:This involves the use of a manual or electric breast pump or learning to hand express.The mother is advised to pump when she feels her supply is at its best – usually between midnight and 8am.She can pump from both breasts and should not expect to be able to pump as much as the baby takes from a bottle initially. Ten minutes on each breast would be a good starting point. Increased breast milk demand increases supply. Try wearing a well-fitted nursing bra to support the breasts. A tight-fitting bra may block the milk ducts or decrease milk supply, thus hindering the pumping process.
This involves the use of a manual or electric breast pump.

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Foods:Consuming fruits and vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, and protein-based食物can help. A balanced diet focuses on providing high nutritional value and can improve milk supply.
  1. Herbal supplements:Also known as galactagogues, theseherbsshow an effective increase in milk supply in some women. The most commonly used supplement is fenugreek but there are also risks which should be taken into consideration (5). Additionally, blessed thistle and fennel are purported galactagogues but more clinical studies are required to ascertain their roles in increasing milk supply.
Also known as galactagogues, these herbs show an effective increase in milk supply in some women.

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Essential oils:Although there is no evidence-based research to support its use, basil essential oil may improve the overall health of the mother, which in turn, could improve her supply of milk. You should always use it with a carrier oil to dilute its strength (2).
  1. Medication:Healthcare professionals might prescribe certain medications, such as Domperidone, to increase the supply of milk. Make sure you discuss both the benefits and risks of any medication with your care provider.

In addition to the above-mentioned tips, the markets also sell lactation cookies containing oatmeal or oats that are believed to work as galactagogues. However, you should consult your lactation specialist before consuming them to know about their safety.

protip_icon Quick tip
Hold your baby skin-to-skin at the breast while breastfeeding to stimulate the release of hormones that facilitate breast milk production(3).
Medications such as Domperidone, may increase the supply of milk.

Image: Shutterstock

常见问题

1. Can water increase breast milk?

Hydration is essential to have good milk production. Following a routine of drinking a glass of water after nursing may show a boost in the milk supply during the next pumping (6).

2. What fruits to avoid while breastfeeding?

Nursing women may need to limit or stop the consumption of fruits such as kiwi, pineapple, strawberries, grapefruit, orange, and lemon (7).

3. Do bananas increase breast milk?

No. Although some may believe that specific food items such as bananas might increase milk production, there is no scientific evidence to prove that (8).

4. Can lack of sleep affect milk supply?

Yes. Sleep schedule plays a vital role in breast milk production since stress from lack of sleep can increase levels of hormones such as cortisol, which in turn may reduce the milk supply (6).

Continued breastfeeding to babies up to at least six months is essential for their optimum growth and development. Hence, knowing how to increase milk supply can help mothers experiencing low breast milk supply. To improve breast milk supply, you should know the precise cause of low supply. For that, you need to consult your doctor or a lactation expert. Once the exact cause for poor or low milk supply is determined, your healthcare provider can guide you to the appropriate way to improve your breast milk supply.

Infographic: Possible Reasons Why A Woman Has Inadequate Milk Supply

Breast milk is a vital source of nutrition for newborns, but some women may experience challenges with a low milk supply. The below infographic provides insights into potential causes of low breast milk supply. Understanding these causes can help women identify and address the underlying issues.

what can cause low breast milk supply in women (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Pointers

  • Insufficient breast milk supply is not common and may occur due to intake of birth control pills, alcohol intake, breast surgery, or infections, among a few reasons.
  • You may have a lack of breast milk if you notice your baby keeps losing weight, passes dark urine, and does not feed for long.
  • Home remedies such as maintaining a balanced diet, massaging, using a breast pump, or taking doctor-prescribed medication may help increase the supply.


References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in oureditorial policy.
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