Increase Milk Production?

I took a suplement called "more milk plus". It contains fenugreek, and some other herbs that are really helpful. As long as you are planning on pumping while at work I would recommend taking it. If you are not pumping, you'll be a leaky mess (i know from experience :).

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I sent you a private message regarding this request.

Call a natural food/vitamin store. There is an herb that increases milk production but I can't remember the name.

Good luck,

B.

There is a prescription that the Dr. gave me called...(this could be generic name) Metoclopramide....it is for motion sickness I believe, but it has been documented to aid in production of milk.....also I found if you drink 1 beer, the hops from the beer really help....that is a suggestion from my mother-in-law who is a nurse. GOOD LUCK!!!

I am a NBICU nurse. I am a lactation specialist as well. Have you tried fenugreek? You can find it at the health food stores. Follow the instructions on the bottle. it works. Take it for two week. It is an herb used in Indian food cooking. Mothers milk herbal tea sometimes helps. Blessed thistle can help. And a prescription for Reglan from your doctor can help. It has side effect of sleepiness, irritability and sometime diarrhea. In some women but it does help. Are you pumping? If so. Increase how often you pump. If you can feed and/or pump more than 8 time a day that too should help. Good luck! K. S.

It is all about "suppy and demand". I found that routinely pumping at the same time worked. For me it worked best if I pumped an hour after I nursed. The more you nurse/pump the more you produce.

As far as special foods I am not sure. That is very debateable.

Fenugreek increases milk supply. Also it is supply and demand so if you want to increase your supply enough to sustain her while you are gone, I would nurse her on one side and pump the other after each feeding, while you are still home with her. You can find fenugreek at your healthfood store, or typically in your healthfood department at your grocer.

Good luck!

M. ~
I got some helpful hints from a lactation consultant. (You can try calling the hospital you delivered at and ask to speak with lactation. If they don't know what you're talking about, ask to speak with a Nurse on the Maternity Ward and I'm sure they would know who to transfer you to. If you delivered at Emannuel in Portland, Oregon, the number for Lactation is ###-###-####) One of the things she told me I could do was to get an herbal supplement called Phenagreek. Be watchful though, different supplements have different mg. I never did try it, but she said it definately works. Also, she said to put warm compresses on your breasts for 2-3 minutes before hand, this will loosen up the milk supple. Drinking lots of water and getting lots of rest also helps. I hope this helps. God Bless.
~ S.

Red meat worked for me. And the more you feed, the more you'll produce. I remember having to supplement, but read meat helped and now I have more than she can drink.

Hi, M.. I actually ended up with a situation where I was producing so much milk I was able to freeze a good portion of it and actually ended up not being able to use all of it. I started by alternating pumping and feeding. I'd feed on the left breast, pump the right and then alternate sides at the next feeding. I read that the baby suckling is much more complete at emptying all or most of the milk from the ducts. I did this for two weeks solid and was amazed at the amount of milk I was producing. I was also told by a lactation consultant that one of THE most important ways to maintain and increase milk production is to drink TONS of water. I was told, "Drink as much water as you can and then when you feel you can't drink anymore - DRINK EVEN MORE!" It was hard to get used to drinking SO much water but I kept water in the fridge to make it ice cold and always kept ice in it to make it easier to drink. The combination of the two kept me flowing constantly and I ended up having to pump at work a couple of times a day to keep from being so engorged.

I know some people use foods or herbal supplements but I was successful with just the above.

It's something to try. I think it's wonderful that you're breast feeding. It's so good for baby - and mommy. I hope you find something that works for you.

Good Luck!!
J.

Dear M.,

I breastfed both of my sons for one year and worked part time starting when they were 12 wks old. With my first son, I stockpiled frozed pumped milk starting at 6 weeks old. I would pump once a day just after he would feed. This helps increase production. I made sure that I didn't go more than 3 hours between feedings or pumping (except at night then no more than 6 hours). Unfortunately the pump does not stimulate milk production as well as breastfeeding does. The best thing that you can do is to be diligent with pumping. I don't believe that there are any other proven methods to increase supply (I researched pretty well myself). My second son had to have some formula at daycare, but he seemed to tolerate it well. I definately miss the breastfeeding, but the pumping was a pain. All for a good cause though :)
L.

There are lots of teas you can drink to increase milk production. Teas made with fennel help. You can get a number of them at any good health food store. Drink LOTS of water. Also, the more you feed or pump, the more your body will be asked to make more milk. So on the days you are at work, it will mean bringing a pump with you and pumping as often as you can to stimulate the let-down reflex. www.lalecheleague.org has some suggestions on their website under FAQ's.

Good luck!

Mother's of milk tea was suggested by my lactation nurse.

Hi M.,
I know that this may sound a little weird but I swear by it. when I noticed my milk supply getting low after returning to work my sister-in-law suggested that I drink ROOT BEER. To my suprise it worked! I breast fed for a whole year berore quitting and that was by my own choice not because i dried up.

The herb fenugreek works like a charm and drinking lots of water. Google search it and you'll find lots of ideas.

Everyone is suggesting Fenugreek, but I suggest doing your homework on this product. My Pediatrician recommended NOT using it as it has side effects and passes through the milk. Do your homework before you choose to use it.

I've heard the beer thing too. Don't know if it actually works, but I enjoyed trying it!

Pump, pump, and pump!! That is the best way to increase your milk. Every hour, even if it is just a few drops, just do it. Don't quit, it will come, give it a few days. It's not much fun, it's uncomfortable and bothersome, but worth it in the end. Good luck.

I'm not sure about foods, but I know that being overtired and stressed will decrease your production. Try to nurse as much as you can in the morning, as that is the best time to get the most milk--probably because you are (somewhat) rested. I think eating really well and not worrying about how many calories you eat is the best way to keep your milk up. That, and keeping the stress as LOW as possible. Good luck--you're doing a wonderful thing for your child!

I have heard that bulk Brewers yeast, plenty of purified water and enough sleep greatly increase breast milk supply. I took tons of Shaklee vitamins for my prenatals( i had a friend who was a leader). I had too much milk and was engorged with it that pregnancy! Good Luck!

There is an herbal supplement called Fenugreek that you can find at Lactation Station. Some people take it when their production goes down due to illness. My friends use it and have been happy with results. You can also pump more often and freeze what you don't use right away.

M.,

First of all, congratulations on your little girl! :) I nursed my daughter until she was nearly 6 months old (and only quit because of her teeth coming in and her using me as a teether) and I worked full time. The advice I had from the lacation consultant in the hospital was that breastfeeding follows the simple rule of supply and demand. The more you nurse, the more your body will produce. She suggested in order to keep my milk supply up (and even get some milk to freeze/store) was to pump in between the times she nursed. And let me tell you, the milk flowed! :)

Good luck going back to work and good luck with keeping up on nursing.

J. B

Hello M.,
There are several teas available that help with milk production. Traditional Medicinal is the one that is coming to my mind right now...you can find it,and possibly other brands, in the health food section of Fred Meyer or Safeway (also in health food stores). You may also try herbal remedies (fenugreek is key) in pill form; the health food section will have these, in the vitamin/supplement area. Ask the clerk about products to increase your milk supply if you need help. I had luck with both. Some teas taste better than others (I'm not a big licorice fan!) so I ended up using pills. I can't remember the dose I took, but it worked that same day. If you need more info e-mail me...I have the stuff at home still! Cheers to you.

hi there. try fenugreek vitamins. also 'mother's milk' tea. you need to pump every 2-3 hours, including at night, regardless of whether your baby is sleeping. this is by the book - if you are really serious. try contacting LaLeche League for more help and info.

http://www.lalecheleague.org/

good luck,
A.

The best way that I found to increase milk production was all about supply and demand. The more you pump or nurse, the more milk you will make. Every once in a while if I needed a boost, I would wait until the baby was down for the evening and drink two beers. The next morning, the alcohol was no longer in my system and I would be very full. I had other friends that this did not work for though. Good luck!

The main things that are important are that 1. you feed her or pump as much as possible now (the whole supply and demand concept) and 2. make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Good luck and congratulations on your new daughter!!!

I have breast fed 2 babies and for long lengths of time. The more you use the more you produce. You need to pump between feedings. Even if you don't get alot at first it will come in shortly. Supply and demand.

M.-
I agree with the supply and demand theory. But, when I noticed my milk was getting low, I included more peanut butter in my diet. I don't know if it worked or if it was a coincidence. Also, include milk and yogurt in your diet along with water. It is very important to stay hydrated. I nursed my first son until he was 19 months and am going on my 13th month with my second.
K.

The stress and separation from your baby may decrease your supply but with time and patience the supply and demand should balance out.
Nurse your baby before leaving for work and as soon as you can after you get home. Pump at work around the time you would be nursing if you were at home and think about your baby while you pump (photos help too). Use and electric pump and double pump for 15-20 minutes (even if the milk flow stops). Many moms like "Mothers' Milk Teas" and similar products but the flavor may not appeal to you. Try Fenugreek capsules- available at GNC and some pharmacies. I wouldn't do anything until you notice a decrease. For example, if you work Mon-Fri, the supply may be less by Fri but nursing over the weekend will increase it by Mon. Good Luck, B. RN, IBCLC

Here is a link to a lot of great information. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html
I have used Fenugreek, More Milk Plus (herbal tincture) and Domperidone at different times. The Domperidone by far worked the best but it isn't available here so I had to order it online from another country. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
W. Jones
Breastfeeding Educator
____@____.com

Fenugreek worked for me, as well as lots of water. Also be sure that you have a good breastpump while you are at work (I used a Medela Advanced pump.) It is going to take some time to get a schedule down, but be sure to have a regular pumping schedule while at work. Ideally, your employer will be considerate of this-- but I know that that is the ideal. Just be sure you don't go more than 4 hours without pumping,, especually now.

Good luck! I know it is not easy but it is well worth it!

My pediatrician recommend I take Fenugreek. You can find it at Natural Foods stores. If you have a Wild Oats Market, you can for sure get it there. It is used to increase lactation. It also says it's to sooth stomach, but it really does work for production of extra milk. There is also Teas you can by that will say Mothers Milk or something like that. But you have to drink alot of it! I took Fenugreek 3 times a day to start with then just once a day once my milk increased. My pediatrician used it herself with here baby. I know some people say they have had a problem with Fenugreek and side effects, but I think that is very rare and unusual.