How to Increase Your Milk Supply

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

20 Apr 2009 11:03 AM

If you are worried that your young baby isn't gaining as much weight as you think he should, or if you don't feel as though you are producing enough milk, you may want to try some methods to increase your milk supply. Here are some tips.

First let me say that sometimes it may seem as though you don't have enough milk because your baby seems ravenous, when you are actually producing plenty of milk. The constant feeding could be because your baby is going through a growth spurt. Your pediatrician or a lactation consultant should be able to help you determine if there is a milk supply issue. Very often weighing a baby before and after a feeding can go a long way to quell your fears.

One of the best ways to increase milk supply is to increase the feedings. Many times poor milk supply only gets worse when parents supplement feedings with formula. Nursing as much and as often as you can stand it. Feed at least once every two hours and wake baby to feed if needed.

Increase the skin to skin contact. Believe it or not, having a baby nestled against your breasts even if the baby is sleeping and not eating stimulates milk flow. Any amount of skin to skin contact, even through stroking and cuddling your baby stimulates hormones in you that in turn ramp up the milk production.

Nurse your baby in bed because studies have shown that milk producing hormones are usually and best secreted at nighttime. This is why if you are going to pump, first thing in the morning is usually when you can get the most milk.

Get enough rest. Supermoms forget to get the rest they need, especially when there are other children to care fore, a house, a job or other daily responsibilities. Make rest a priority to increase your milk supply.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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