Easy & Effective Tips to Increase Breast Milk Naturally

In the postpartum period, you and your newborn work together to stimulate your breast milk supply. When your baby is hungry, breastfeeding helps them get all the milk they require for growth. With time, your body learns how much milk your infant needs. But sometimes, the supply of breast milk drops for some reason. It can be formula feeding, less breastfeeding, or a sick mother or baby.

You’re not the only one who questions whether I am producing enough milk for my baby. It is very normal to deal with low milk supply. If you have to boost your breast milk supply, try the following methods.

1. Breastfeed More Often

Breastfeed frequently and leave it to your baby to decide when to stop nursing. When your child latches to your breast and starts suckling, it triggers the hormones that are responsible for the release of milk. It is known as the “let-down” reflex. It happens when the muscles of your breasts get active; they pass the milk through the ducts. The more you feed your baby, the more milk your breasts produce.

Lactating your baby at least 8 to 12 times every day can help induce and maintain milk production. But this doesn’t imply that more or fewer feeding sessions point to a problem.

2. Pump Between Feeding Sessions

Use a manual or electric pump on pump bras between feedings to increase breast milk production. Also, warming up your breasts with a heat pack or massage before pumping can make pumping easier and more comfortable. Try it whenever:

• You have leftover milk from a feeding.
• Your baby has skipped a meal.
• Your baby has a bottle of formula or breast milk.

3. Breastfeed from Both Breasts

Do you feed your baby from both breasts during every feed? If yes, then it's good. If not, then you should. First feed it from the left breast by raising your nursing bra until they slow down or quit feeding before placing the right breast. The stimulating effect of having both breasts breastfed can increase milk production. It has been discovered that when you pump milk from both breasts, it increases milk production and elevates the milk's fat content.

4. Eat Lactation Cookies

You can buy lactation cookies in retail stores and online stores like Amazon, or you can make your own at home. While there isn't any scientific evidence on lactation cookies, some of the ingredients used in them are believed to increase breast milk. Normally, these cookies contain galactagogues, which may help in lactation. Further studies must be conducted on it to know more. Some of these include:

• flaxseed meal
• brewer’s yeast
• whole oats
• wheat germ

Recipe for Lactation Cookie

• 2 cups of white flour
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon wheat germ
• ¼ cup brewer’s yeast
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 egg yolks
• ½ cup granulated white sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a small bowl, mix the flaxseed meal with water and allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes to thicken.
• Take a large mixing bowl and cream the butter with the white and brown sugars until they are smooth.
• Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, and beat on low speed for about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the soaked flaxseed mixture.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, and salt.
• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold in the oats.
• Roll the dough into 2-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 10–12 minutes or more to get a light golden color.
• Keep cookies on the baking sheet for 1 minute, then move them to a wire rack to cool down.

5. Additional Foods and Supplements

There are many other foods, herbs, and supplements that may boost breast milk production. Some have been shown to start working within seven days, like fenugreek. Other foods you can eat:

• garlic
• ginger
• fenugreek
• fennel
• brewer’s yeast
• blessed thistle
• alfalfa
• Spirulina

Advice: Before taking any new supplements, always consult your doctor. Even natural foods have side effects.

The Bottom Line

Breastfeeding is a natural process to feed your baby. Listen to your body and your baby’s needs to maintain the supply of milk. All listed methods can increase your low breast milk supply, but it is wise to consult with your physician first. Remember, every drop of breast milk counts and supports your baby’s health. Mothers who are looking for clothes and essentials for comfort and support during breastfeeding visit Lovemere. Stay patient, stay kind to yourself, and know that you’re doing an amazing job.