How to Increase Breast Milk

Consume at least 1,800 calories and 6 cups of fluids a day while breastfeeding. The exact number of calories depends on activity level and a number of other factors, but as a general rule you’ll need between 450 and 500 extra calories per day in addition to your usual intake. For active moms, the number of calories consumed a day can be up to 2,500 calories. It’s not uncommon for what you eat to have a big impact on the quality and quantity of your milk. Here are some general guidelines for diet and milk supply:

• Find a good source of calcium. Calcium will help your baby’s bones grow strong and healthy. Calcium-rich foods include dairy products (though you should choose organic dairy products), green leafy vegetables, and certain types of fish (sardines and salmon).
• Eat fruits and vegetables. Include lots of vegetables and fruits in your daily diet. Vegetables and fruits contain many vitamins, minerals and fiber.
• Choose complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are healthier than refined carbohydrates which you should avoid. Complex carbohydrates include foods such as brown rice, wholegrain pasta and bread, and legumes.
• Choose lean meat. Lean meat is better than fatty meat. You can eat skinless chicken breast, fish, low-fat dairy products, and soy products like tofu.

Ask your doctor for advice on using prescription supplements or herbs to increase milk production. Herbs that work well include fenugreek, blessed thistle and red raspberry. The drug metoclopramide is sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat low milk supply in nursing mothers.

• Note that the effectiveness of herbal supplements has little evidence to back it up.

Support by pumping milk. Pumping has two benefits. First, you can store milk when your baby doesn’t need it, so you can save and store extra milk. Second, pumping stimulates the body to produce more milk. ^[1]

• Buy a high-quality breast pump. Pumping is not an easy job, so investing in a good breast pump is a good idea. You can rent hospital grade milking equipment if you don’t have a good one.
• Whether at work or at home, you should consider pumping every few hours and 15 minutes. Or you can also pump 5 -10 minutes after feeding. Pumping at least 8 times in 24 hours will help increase milk production quickly. If you can’t pump right after breastfeeding, try to pump in between feeds.
• Pump milk each time both breasts. You will then have more milk and twice as fast, and also stimulate more milk production.

Limit the use of bottles and pacifiers when you are trying to increase your milk supply. This ensures the baby’s feeding needs are met with breast milk. As the baby grows, it will be easier for the baby to switch from the mother’s breast to the condom and vice versa without reducing the stimulation of milk production. If you’re bottle-feeding your baby, you should try to replace the bottle with a spoon.