Any tips on how to increase milk production?

Question

I had my son 12 days ago and unfortunately had to start supplementing with formula about a week ago. I wanted to exclusively breast feed for the benefits and the bond, it’s made me super upset that I can’t feed him solely off my body. He has started to give me a hard time latching recently, when he was first born he latched perfect. I use a straw syringe to feed him the formula. I pump every 3-4 hours and only get 1-2 ounces per session. Any tips??? Thank you!!

Answer

3 to 4 hours seems a big gap to me. Breastfed newborn babies normally feed every 2 to 3 hours, sometimes even less. You need a minimum of 8 feeds/pumping sessions per 24h.
I had supply problems with my first and this is what I did (and it worked):
1. Increase water intake: drink at least 300 to 500ml of water every time you nurse plus tea and other drinks inbetween.
2. Increase food intake: it isn't the time to diet. I made lactation cookies (there are plenty of recipes online) and had at least 3 or 4 big ones per day. Candy, chocolate, cookies, whatever, but keep munching.
3. At each feed: breastfeed 10min per side, then top up with formula and then pump another 10min both sides. Including at night. I really think night time feeding & pumping makes a difference. That's when your production is the highest.
4. 2x per day (morning and afternoon) power pump for 1hour. So for 1hour you sit connected to a pump and pump both breasts for 5min, stop 5min, pump 5min and so on.
It took me about 1 week to get enough milk to stop the pumping. I think that if it had taken longer I would have switched to formula. It was tough but luckily I had help taking care of the baby during the day and could nap.
This time I pumped 1 day to get my milk going and now feel like I have more milk than DS2 can drink! I don't even have to wake him up at night to feed just follow his cues. It is so relaxed compared to DS1. Btw DS1 prefers Dad now.

Answer

Nothing wrong with supplementing.

Answer

Drink more water and pump or feed every 2-3 hours.

Any tips on how to increase milk production?

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