Increase milk dupply

Any ways to increase milk supply? It's only been a week and I feel like I'm not giving him enough so I'm supplementing with formula and now I seem to give less. It's bothering me b.c I never BF b4 and I was starting to like it even though it's only been a week.
Any advise?

Thanks

Re: Increase milk dupply

pump after feeding - wait for a second let down (keep pumping even though nothing is coming out...in a few minutes it will start again)

Make sure you are feeding or pumping every 2-3 hours - especially overnight.

my MW suggested one O'Douls a day.

Re: Increase milk dupply

The Mother's Nursing Support tea by Yogi helped me. And oatmeal.

Message edited 7/16/2011 3:12:58 PM.

Re: Increase milk dupply

BFing works on supply and demand so if you're supplementing this early your body is thinking it doesn't have to make as much. Always put him on the boob first, don't give the formula first. Both sides. If he's been on both sides at least 15/20 minutes and still doesn't seem satisfied keep him on at least 10 minutes more. The additional sucking will signal your body that it needs to make more.

If he's sleeping, wake him so that he go on the boob and at least attempt to feed. Again, the sucking signals your body to make more. Drink lots of water, you can try Mother's Milk Tea, eat oatmeal. But putting him to the boob more is what really works the best in the beginning in order to establish your supply. Don't use the formula to replace a feeding. Keep it up!!!!

Re: Increase milk dupply

My pediatrician told me to get the "more milk plus" supplement. I got it online at amazon. It is a little tricky b/c you need to not drink 15 mins before and after for it to work best (but it still works ok if, like me, you forget and chug water sometimes with it).

She also told me to make some time for myself and just take a magazine and a nice drink and pump in private on a 15 min baby break. It was amazing after a few days how my body kind of knew that relaxation time was coming. (If you can do it in the morning, she says you make the most milk at that time of day.)

And remember, the more you feed, the more milk you will make! Maybe even pumping an additional time each day after a feeding would help; I know it did for me.

Re: Increase milk dupply

Pump after nursing, it will signal your body to produce more milk. You can try taking Fenugreek supplements (3 pills 3 times a day), drink lots of water, eat oatmeal, and Mother's Milk Tea by Yogi.

Re: Increase milk dupply

Posted by ruby

BFing works on supply and demand so if you're supplementing this early your body is thinking it doesn't have to make as much. Always put him on the boob first, don't give the formula first. Both sides. If he's been on both sides at least 15/20 minutes and still doesn't seem satisfied keep him on at least 10 minutes more. The additional sucking will signal your body that it needs to make more.

If he's sleeping, wake him so that he go on the boob and at least attempt to feed. Again, the sucking signals your body to make more. Drink lots of water, you can try Mother's Milk Tea, eat oatmeal. But putting him to the boob more is what really works the best in the beginning in order to establish your supply. Don't use the formula to replace a feeding. Keep it up!!!!

Re: Increase milk dupply

I didnt BF my first either but am BF my DS#2 now.
First dont feel like you have to give formula. DS will probably want to eat more often but I know for me I just let him eat as long as he wanted., In the early days I wont lie it was 45 minutes on the breast. Also after feeding pump for a few minute, even if you only have time for 5 minutes it will help your body to think it needs to produce more.

I use more milk plus as well, but need to drink SOMETHING after it tastes horrible otherwise and that helps.
Also oatmeal, tons of water and make sure you are taking care of yourself.

I didnt make it very far with BF #1. But I am proud of making it this far with #2. Although I did about a 50/50 split now of BF and F by choice it wasnt easy in the beginning so just keep at it!! GL!

Re: Increase milk dupply

Posted by wingsofsong

Posted by ruby

BFing works on supply and demand so if you're supplementing this early your body is thinking it doesn't have to make as much. Always put him on the boob first, don't give the formula first. Both sides. If he's been on both sides at least 15/20 minutes and still doesn't seem satisfied keep him on at least 10 minutes more. The additional sucking will signal your body that it needs to make more.

If he's sleeping, wake him so that he go on the boob and at least attempt to feed. Again, the sucking signals your body to make more. Drink lots of water, you can try Mother's Milk Tea, eat oatmeal. But putting him to the boob more is what really works the best in the beginning in order to establish your supply. Don't use the formula to replace a feeding. Keep it up!!!!

I definitely agree with this! It's really important at such an early age NOT to supplement with formula, unless he is not having enough wet/poopy diapers or is losing weight, and the ped instructs you to do so. What makes you think he isn't getting enough?

Re: Increase milk dupply

I agree with previous posters. Feed on demand and often and at night. at night is the most important those feeding will boost supply. Whenever you supplement with formula you need to pump otherwise your body doesn't realize you didn't make enough. The first few weeks are the hardest and then its a breeze!!!

Re: Increase milk dupply

ITA with the above. Also remember to make sure you are eating enough extra calories to produce milk. I was nervous about making sure DD was getting enough milk, so much so that I sent DH to buy a baby scale at BBB (not a fancy expensive one, but one that did the job). I weighed DD every few days to make sure her weight was going up. It gave me piece of mind that she was feeding okay and saved trips to the peds office for weigh-ins.

Re: Increase milk dupply

I think most important is putting baby to your boob. At this point to build supply just keep putting baby on to eat and comfort. Take away pacifier if you are using and stop supplementing

Re: Increase milk dupply

I agree with everything that was posted. Started to pump and supplement around 6 weeks and with the other kids it really messed up my supply and I had to stop because she wasn't satisfied after both sides. Really try and establish a good supply first. Also drink lots of water.

Re: Increase milk dupply