how to increase milk supply

[inkypersmom43]

Hello,

I am trying to continue breastfeeding my 2 month old now that i have gone back to work. I've been concerned for some time that my milk supply was going down. Is there anything I can do to increase my supply?

Thanks,

Wilma

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

Hi Wilma! What's going on that makes you concerned that your supply is decreasing? Maybe I can help ease your mind.

The BEST, EASIEST way of increasing milk production is by emptying the breasts more frequently. That just means nursing more often, and/or pumping after or between feedings.

Are you having a hard time pumping at work? What kind of pump are you using and how often?

How has his weight gain been, and how many wet and poopy diapers does he typically have in a day?

[inkypersmom43]

Hi Kerry,

Thanks for the quick reply. My little girl started having instances when she would be fussy while feeding. She would latch on then fuss and get off and latch on again and so forth. I felt that she was pulling off because she was not getting milk. When this went on for too long I would supplement with formula to reassure myself that she is eating.

I've got a Lansinoh pump and in order to pump I have to go into a big closet in another department as my department has no place for me to have some privacy to pump. I'm gone from my desk at 1/2 hour to and hour each time. I can try pumping after feeding in the evening and on the weekend. Would or would that be offset by the infrequent pumping during the week(only twice daily)?

Her weight gain has been good and the doctor has told me not to be concerned about my milk production. She has about 6 - 8 wet diapers a day. Her poop has been irregular lately. Some days she has no poops then the next day she will have one or two big poops.

Thanks,
Wilma

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

I know fussiness at the breast can be frustrating and worrisome. The ONLY *true* gauge that baby is getting enough to eat is weight gain. If her weight gain is appropriate, then you can rest assured that she IS getting enough. It may be that she's reacting to a slower flow or delayed letdown (which is especially common if she receives bottles regularly). One thing that I've found helpful in those instances is "switch nursing" - put her on the breast, and when she starts fussing, switch her to the other side. WHen she starts fussing again, switch her back to the first side. Continue switching her back and forth as needed, and usually they will eventually settle in and feed. The switching back and forth also facilitates a letdown and can help increase milk production. Another thing that's helpful with a fussy nurser is doing breast compression, which you can read more about here:

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html

Breast compression will force more milk out at a faster rate, which will help her stay at the breast and nurse if she's fussing because of a delayed letdown. I'm sure you probably already know this, but I REALLY want to encourage you to avoid giving her bottles of formula when this happens, because this can make the problem worse, or create a problem where there previously really wasn't one. Every bottle of formula you give tells your body to make a little less milk.

If you can add some pumping sessions in the evening and weekend, that will help ensure your supply is adequate and definitely will help offset only being able to pump twice during the day.

Once a baby hits 6-8 weeks, it's common for pooping to become more irregular. Some babies will only go once a day, and it's also common for some babies to not poop for a couple days. As long as when she does go, it's soft, unformed and there's a lot of it, then it's not a problem, assuming that her weight gain is good.

Hope this helps!

[inkypersmom43]

Thank you Kerry. I've feel like I've really been helped by your reply to me and the others I've been reading.

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

You're very welcome! Take care. :)