Breastfeeding:Low Milk Supply

How can I increase my milk supply?

Comments: Breastfeeding - Low-Milk-Supply

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JH - 239 days ago.
I am worried about my supply. My right side (which is usually much smaller than my left) will produce 1.5 oz tops. It can be 4 hours...1.5 oz. It can be 2 hours, I will get 0.5-1 oz. My left side will give anywhere from 2-3 oz. is this normal? What are you all doing to increase supply? I pump every 2 hours during the day, 3 hours at night. I pump 10-12/day.

lovinggod1111@hotmail.com - 636 days ago.
My milk supply was very low. I pumped constantly and couldn't get it increased. My lactation consultant recommended Breastea from http://www.breastea.com and it has been a life saver! My milk supply has increased several ounces since I started it.

s07a03k88 - 997 days ago.
I had my baby about 4 weeks ago, and she was never able to latch so I began pumping so she was able to still get breastmilk. Unfortunatly I was never able to produce enough milk to satisfy her (only about 1/2 oz between both breasts.) Eventually I got extremely frustrated and gave up. (Which I totally regret now!) It's been about two weeks since I've pumped and it feels like my milk supply has already dried up but now more than ever I want to try again. I just tried pumping again and some drips of milk came out, but obviously no where near 1/2 oz like before. Is it too late? I feel so guilty! Please message me for help! :(

naturalchildbirthguide - 1015 days ago.
Hi i am new here but wanted to ask for more info about the post on fermented oatmeal for low milk supply. Is it something you buy or make? And how much to you take and how often? Thanks1

bigmommylove - 1031 days ago.
I have always had a problem with low milk supply despite pumping often with a hospital grade breast pump. I wasn't able to get my milk supply up until I started using Breastea. You can order it direct from their website, and I think the $14 is the best money I have ever spent. My milk supply went from 1/2 ounce per pumping to over 5 ounces. When you try a herbal product it's important to use it on a regular basis and be consistent. You want to make sure that you are breastfeeding or pumping often as well.

Bri - 1166 days ago.
phonics - I tried it. I got it at Whole Foods. It didn't work for me. Fermented Oatmeal was my saving grace when I had low supply with my son.

phonics - 1167 days ago.
Have any of you tried more milk plus nad if so does it work? Was it the special blend or the regular one?

manda-may - 1179 days ago.
so.in.love don't give up! You are doing the best for your baby and good on you, but also don't beat yourself up too much if your supply stays low. Some people have lots, and some not. These days at least we have lots of options! :-) I had twins and didn't have enough milk. They gave me domperidone tablets to boost my supply and I pumped after every feed, etc to fool my boobies into thinking they needed to supply more milk, I even drank special concoctions, etc to improve supply. At the end of the day it all helped a bit but I still didn't have enough milk. I was a bit devastated for an hour or two and then decided that some was better than none so breast fed my boys for the next 10 months with top ups of formula after every feed. (after 10 months they got too big for the feeding pillow, were thumping each other during a feed, and were starting to bite... enough's enough I said!) You have never seen such fat happy healthy babies!! It is a decision you have to make for yourself and no one else can tell you what to do. I felt comfortable with my decision and managed ok with the boys and it was do-able and worked for us. I wish you lots of luck and hope you just hang on in there! Well done you for having a go! :-)

butterflykisses715 - 1179 days ago.
i went to a breastfeeding class and as well learned from my maternal support that pumping in between feedings can lower supply for the actual feeding for the baby..i guess if you pump and breast feed theONLY time you should pump is directly after the baby nurses..or within the first 15 mins after breastfeeding..if you wait longer or go in the middle of feedings you will only pump a couple oz, and then nurse a couple..acting as a low supply. i have learned that pumping right after you only get a half oz or so the firtst time..but as the days go on it goes up and up...dont know if this info will help to any mothers out there..hope it will..and to those who just simply arent producing enough..keep at it! your doing great and dont get discouraged :)

so.in.love - 1179 days ago.
i had my son a month ago and only able to get 2 ounces every 2-3 hours. ive tried all that i can to make my supply go up. it sux so much. :( i substitute regular formula so he can get full. i have not gave up tho. i pump my milk. and give it to him.

Phoenix8098 - 1224 days ago.
Operation Increase Milk Supply is underway, I'm armed with new information and really hoping to become a pumping fool! I wanted to share the information with other women that are struggling with milk depletion. Sold at GNC Fenugreek Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk Lactation Cookies Helps nursing moms milk supply. The best 'dose' is 4 or more a day! YIELDS: 12 Dozen INGREDIENTS: 1 C – Butter 1 C – Sugar 1 C – Brown Sugar 4 T – Water 2 T – Flaxseed Meal (No Substitution) 2 – Large Eggs 1 tsp – Vanilla 2 C – Flour 1 tsp – Baking Soda 1 tsp – Salt 3 C – Regular Oatmeal 1 C – Chocolate Chips 2 T – Brewer’s Yeast (No Substitution) PREPARATION: Preheat oven to 375 degree's. 1. Mix 2 T flaxseed meal and water; set aside 3 – 5 minutes 2. Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs. Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla. Beat until well blended. 3. Sift dry ingredients, except oats and chocolate chips. 4. Add butter mix to dry ingredients. 5. Stir in the oats and the choc chips. 6. Drop onto baking sheet by teaspoonful. 7. Bake 8 – 12 minutes

olliemom - 1245 days ago.
I've been nursing my daughter for 6 months and pumping while at work (full time) for the last 3. All of a sudden I have enough milk when I nurse her, but am barely getting anything when I pump. I'm lucky if I get a full ounce total from both breasts. I use a double electric and pump every 3 hours when I'm away from her. Any ideas on how I can increase my pumping output?

lovinggod1111 - 1320 days ago.
I struggled through low milk supply with two children. I have found out that it's very important that you pump every 2 to 3 hours around the clock. Don't miss one pumping. At night, you can go up to 4 hours between pumpings. Herbs really make a big difference in milk supply. I have used Breastea (order online) with great results. I went from pumping an ounce at a time to 4 ounces.

momtobe2009 - 1327 days ago.
im having problems with my milk supply,it seems to have decreased since i went back to work and also after having my tubes tied...i dont always get to pump 'on time' at work (i try to pump evry 3hrs - son eats 4oz evry 3hrs) cause i work in an or,so that coul b part of the decrease in supply cause the demand isnt there,but im about to have another surgery and trying to build back stock so i dont have to sub w/formula after surgery...was told to try mothers milk tea,but have also heard a lot about fenugreek on here...has anyone tried mothers milk tea &/or do u just recommend taking fenugreek?

CarolineTx24 - 1373 days ago.
Yes Fenugreek really works! I put a couple of teaspoons in boiling water, let them steep for 5-10 minutes and drink up! The effects don't last very long, so you have to drink the tea everyday. Get ready for the maple syrup smelling sweat!

campimama - 1374 days ago.
cee-cee- Absolutely! Breast size does not affect how much milk your body will produce...it's just fatty tissue. My sis is an A cup and nursed 3 kids...I was a G cup and struggled with baby #1 but nursed #2 just fine. Have the lactation nurses help you with your latch and stick with it through the tough spots in the beginning. The main bf forum is awesome for support too.

cee-cee20 - 1374 days ago.
hi ladies. i know this is a little off subject but i know i could get an answer here. i am 7 mos pregnant and my boobs havent increased in size at all. With my first child they didnt either. and i got milk in them a day after my child was born...will i be able to breastfeed even though my breasts are not increasing in size?

JamieGarcia - 1383 days ago.
LADIES!!!! I got my milkback :) FENUGREEK pills are amazing!!! # pills 3x a day, and 4 days later everything is back to normal :)

Heather12 - 1394 days ago.
Man that does sound like hard work Jamie. Keep up the hard work. I think what your doing is great.

JamieGarcia - 1395 days ago.
Hi girls! I posted a day or so ago about bf'ing issues and thought I would update. I have been pumping like crazy (every hour or 2), increased water & food, and I'm taking more milk plus. It's so nasty but I bought it online when I was pregnant just incase I had supply issues. I've also started the fermented oatmeal thing. She ran through all the milk I had frozen so we are having to supliment w/ formula *tears*. I'm refusing to give her a bottle because I don't want her to get lazy. I made my own supplimental nurser and it's great! I went to the medical supply section of a drug store and they had sitz basin baths & enemas that came with long skiny tubing. I cut a hole in the nipple of a bottle and stuck the tube into, making it look like a straw. The other end I tape just above my nipple. I leave just a tad bit hanging over the tip of my nipple. I carefuly put the tube/nipple in her mouth and she begins to suck as if she were nursing. She gets the milk from the bottle, and stimulates my breast at the same time. Once I feel my let down, I slip the tube out of her mouth and she continues to nurse. Once she starts to fuss I know she drank all of the milk in my breast. I slip the tube back into her mouth to keep her from getting to mad, and so she can continure to stimulate me. When the bottle is half empty I try to switch her to the other breast to stimulate the other one. I slip out the tube and quickly tape it to the other one, burp her, and swutch sides. Once she is done I pump for about 5 min on each side. Sometimes I have to wear her in the sling so I can be able to do it. Man it's a lot of work!!!!! I must say that I have nursed her 3 times without having to use the tube so I think I'm getting somewhere. I hope this helps anyone who is having issues. Sorry it was so long!

brandyq - 1397 days ago.
I am trying malted milk to increase my supply...does anyone know how long it takes?

AngieP - 1411 days ago.
Yes, Fenugreek is awesome. It has the same effect on me. If I forgot to take it I knew it.

promisedbygod - 1447 days ago.
Fenugreek from a health food store works wonders. On the days I forgot to take it I felt empty and had to supplement, on the days I remembered to take it I was bursting. I only took one pill a day, and you can take up to 3. You don't need a prescription, it's all natural, no alcohol, and I absolutely swear by it. Ask someone at your local healthfood/vitamin store.

iamjustmeforme - 1514 days ago.
Has anyone noticed a decrease in their milk supply?!?! I am breastfeeding ONLY and was producing quite a bit of milk!! I was freezing and feeding like crazy! Now all of a sudden my breast feel empty most of the time. I mean, I am still breastfeeding her, but they dont have that FULL feeling any more... Any ideas?!? I started on the mini pill a week ago, but I was told that would not do anything to my production! If you have noticed a decrease, can you please send me a message, I need some help! How do I get it back up?!?!

campimama - 1522 days ago.
DulcianasMom-Yep, the malted milk powder works wonders to boost supply. I mix 3 Tablespoons into a glass of milk. Something else that has been working great for me is Brewer's Yeast tablets. I take two at each meal. They help me maintain a stable level. You can find those in the vitamin area. I was doing soaked oats for a long time but burnt myself out (same with the malt) so now it's nice to take a couple tablets and be done=) Good luck, the malt really works well for most people!