Low Milk Supply? Try These Tips
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From the featured blog, Click Clack Mom
Dealing with a low milk supply with our first child was an emotional rollercoaster that dominated the first two and a half months of his life. After multiple lactation consultations; meeting with my doula, midwife and doctor; taking supplements; buying a pump; renting a hospital grade pump; having several “baby moons”; and reading all I could get my hands on—a substantial milk supply never arrived.
What else could make a new mother feel more inadequate as not being able to feed her newborn? With 4 weeks left in this pregnancy, I am devouring materials to help my milk supply get a head start. As I am doing research on breastfeeding, I can recall several key mistakes that I made in the first few days and I am determined not to make them again.
My manual for this endeavor is a book recommended by the La Leche League International, “The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk” by Diana West, IBCLC, and Lisa Marasco, M.A., IBCLC. If you have experienced low milk supply issues or would like tips for breastfeeding your first baby, here are some strategies that will help.
Five techniques to optimize milk production:
1. Nurse in the first hour: The first hour after birth is known as the “golden hour” for nursing because babies are usually able to get more colostrum at this time. Be sure to maintain as much skin-to-skin contact during too.
2. Delay bathing. Babies may be more likely to want to latch if they are placed with the mother before given a bath.
3. Proximity and frequency. Your hospital has probably phased out the central nursery, but if not, opt to remain physically close to your baby. This activates his hunger and allows you to respond more quickly to his cues. It is advised that you nurse often, at least eight times in a 24 hour period, and for as long as the baby would like.
4. Express milk after breastfeeding. Expressing milk after a feeding during the first three weeks is a terrific chance to maximize your milk supply. West and Marasco recommend using a hospital-grade pump during the first month because the store-bought breast pump is ideal for mothers who have an established milk supply. They suggest pumping after each feeding to drain out each breast and create a higher demand for milk.
5. Don’t skip nighttime feedings. Of course you are totally exhausted, but allowing someone else to feed your baby at night diminishes your milk supply. As you probably know, your milk levels are is all about supply and demand—the more than is demanded, the more that will be supplied.
There are so many useful techniques to help mothers who want to breastfeed, but have trouble producing the desired amount. My final suggestion would be to do as much research as possible and talk to your doctor or midwife before your due date. Being prepared for any outcome will relieve some of the stress that you are under during the hormone-filled, precious days with your newborn.
Just gotta try this Creamy Avocado Dip recipe via Momables.com - love how you can spread it on a sandwich in lieu of Mayo! 
Comment by Sarah on Jun 25 2010 09:14:55:
I have noticed eating oatmeal has helped with my milk supply.
Comment by Nicole [n.M] on Jun 26 2010 08:10:57:
Great info. I will definitely be using these tips with my baby due next month. =)
Comment by Andrea O on Jun 26 2010 10:04:38:
I think determination and having a schedule really helps. I breastfeed my baby after he was born. Unfortunately he had some complications and I was not allowed to breastfeed him. I was determined to breastfeed him when I could so I had to keep the milk supply going. I pumped everyday at around the same time. I was afraid my suply would be low, but I kept pumping no matter how tired I was. I was determined to feed my breastmilk to my baby. By the time I took my baby home I was pumping up to 7 ounces of milk every 3 hrs for 15 mind. The only problem was that my body slowly began producing less since I was not pumping after breastfeeding him. My baby was only eating about 2ounces and I was making up to 7. My body began making less. Now he eats more and I worry he isn’t eating enough since I pump about 4 ounces now, when he doesn’t breastfeed. So you have to be determined. Be positive, and don’t stress yourself if only a little is produced. Just stick to your schedule and as the days pass by you will produce more milk. Don’t give up!! It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.
Comment by Megan on Jun 27 2010 07:21:25:
I have been breastfeeding my son and he is now 4 months old. I am going to have to go back to school, and I am afraid I will not be able to pump enough for those few hours I will be away from him. I pump every now and again, but only an ounce at a time if I am lucky two ounces. I feel that I don’t produce enough to really pump. I heard of fenugreek pills, but I have not tried them yet. Any suggestions would help.
Comment by Amy Bonner on Jul 03 2010 02:24:26:
Hi Megan,
Thank you so much for your comment. I had a ton of problems with pumping because, like you, I could not pump more than an ounce or two. When I rented the hospital-grade pump, I was able to get a lot more milk. Though it wasn’t enough, I was able to get much more with the hospital grade one vs. my home pump. I drank Fenugreek tea and took Mother’s Milk supplements to increase my supply, and I had some success with the Mother’s Milk supplements. Good luck with your endeavors!!
Warmly,
Amy
Comment by Gina on Aug 27 2010 06:07:51:
Share a story of your personal pregnancy blooper to help spread the laughter, smiles, and joy to those pregnant mothers. Chosen stories will be edited and published in an upcoming book. Visit http://www.pregnancybloopers.weebly.com for more information and please pass this along to friends and family.
Comment by lisa r on Aug 31 2010 03:05:19:
Great article. I know a lot of the mistakes I made the first time and now since I am more aware, I hope to be more successful this time. I also drank fenugreek tea and used hot compresses.
Comment by Michelle on Nov 08 2010 08:46:10:
For breastfeeding mothers who want to avoid low milk supply, and continue to produce more breast milk for your babies, you need to continuing pumping. It is good to plan out a breast milk pumping schedule which can suit to your work. I personally, plan out my pumping schedule based on the nature of my job, so that i can continue to produce enough breast milk for my baby. At the same time, breastfeed whenever I can during restday.
Comment by BERENICE on Nov 11 2010 12:19:28:
IHAVE VERY LOW MILK SUPPLY WHERE DO I FIND THE FENUGREEK TEA?
Comment by Susan on Dec 01 2010 04:16:23:
I am SO DESPERATE for HELP here! I am now 26 weeks pregnant with my third child. With my first, I was very young and didn’t even try to breastfeed. With my second 5 years ago, breastfeeding became such a painpoint that even thinking about it makes me cry. I am a “Double D Cup”, but trust me, this is false advertising as far as my daughter was concerned. I did everything I was told, took herbs, drank water, beer, barley, but even after pumping for an hour, I collected about 2 ounces of milk! By my second doctors visit, the baby’s weight was low, and I had to switch to formula. I cry as I write this, because I so badly want to breastfeed this baby, but fear that the I will end up in the same place as last time. Has anyone else been here? Can anyone help?
Comment by Emma on Apr 10 2011 01:21:16:
NC6yzr Very true! Makes a change to see someone spell it out like that.
Comment by fnoazozn on Apr 22 2011 02:42:43:
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Comment by Holly Hosler on Oct 17 2011 10:04:21:
#4 is a very important tip, especially if you’re an older mom. It helps milk supply to completely drain the breast via pumping with breast compression, especially if one’s baby is a light eater.
Also, don’t forget about pumping at night! Pump after those midnight feedings, and when your baby is sleeping through the night, you should still wake up once during the wee hours to pump. While waking up in the middle of the night is a sacrifice, it will not only keep up your supply, but it will prevent engorgement and blocked ducts.
Comment by samy on Jan 28 2012 11:43:59:
Mom’s, make sure you are eating enough. you need to eat 4-6 times per day and make it healthy. watch your sugar or you and the baby could get a yeast infection.