how can I produce more breast milk?

Question

I'm literally so sad that I'm not producing enough milk but I know my baby needs to eat. I'm mainly sad because I love the bond we share when I do feed her, but it's gotten to the point of when I feed her you can tell she's not satisfied.. so my questions are when you stopped breastfeeding were you sad? And how can I produce more milk?

Answer

I panicked when my supply dropped when my baby was a few weeks old to the point where I bought formula as back up. Thankfully I never had to use it as I researched A LOT and did everything I read and it worked within 3-4 days. I also had mastitis several times which made my supply dip and I'd follow the same routine and within a week to 10 days it would come back up.
*Brewer's yeast - add it to any cookie or cake recipe, add it to juice or water or take supplements of it. (You can find it on amazon or iherb) If you like beer (alcoholic or non alcoholic) it's a great alternative as it's how the yeast is extracted.
* Oats - I had it almost everyday with honey and nuts, I even sprinkled Brewer's yeast on it sometimes
*Moringa Leaf Powder - add it to juice or smoothies or take the supplement version (powder from iherb, supplements from amazon/golacta.com)
*Tea - I would either drink the ready made lactation teas like Mother's Milk or make my own using fenugreek, fennel, aniseed, caraway seeds and cumin seeds
* Milk rich tincture - I drank this between 1-3 times a day (https://www.wishgardenherbs.com/herbal-remedies/Milk-Rich-With-Goats-Rue-557/?return)
* Pumping- I would pump every 2 to 3 hours for 15 minutes or 10 minutes after each feeding. I also power pumped which is basically pumping for 10 minutes, taking a 10 minute break, pumping for 10 minutes, break for 10 minutes etc.. for an hour. I would put on one of my shows just to pass the time!
*Eating more protein seemed to help me produce more milk

Answer

Drink lots of water and once youre done breastfeeding, pump right after (even if nothing comes out) milk is produced by supply and demand.

Answer

For good information go to kellymom and LLLI websites, they are awesome resources  for all things breastfeeding. There is a solution to most BF struggles, and keep in mind only 5% of women cannot produce breastmilk or have true low supplies. hydration, nutrition, caloric intake, lack of sleep, stress, and deficiencies in vitamins/minerals call all effect supply.

Answer

How old?? Does baby unlatch? Does baby get fussy and you assume she/he's done? Keep latched! It's seriously so rare to have a low supply issue. It's more a not knowing what's going on. There's not a lot of help or info out there I find. Get specific and ask questions! Do you have Facebook??? Milk mama's is a great group. Check out La Leche groups. They have groups like support groups! So check/google your city!

Answer

Make sure you're drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated! I just started taking fenugreek yesterday, because I feel like I may be decreasing the amount I make. 
With my 1st I lasted 4 months breastfeeding, and was young and inexperienced on trying to keep my supply up. I felt like a failure, and was embarrassed to tell people I was using formula. My second I nursed for 2 years, never had a doubt I was making enough. 
This time if I can't keep my supply up, I definitely won't beat up myself. A fed baby is best, no matter if it's breast or formula. Good luck.  Also try googling ways to boost your supply, and find a lactation consultant!

Answer

But a lactation consultant can help you out ... what helped me was mother's milk tea and staying hydrated because when I wasn't I felt as if my supply was lacking

Answer

Power pumping! I went from producing 1.5 oz with both boobs to 3.5 oz with both within 2 days.

Answer

Diet....I had been a calorie counter prior to pregnancy.  When my son was 2 weeks old, I counted my calories for the day and realized I wasn't eating enough.  That was all sorts of mind blowing since Eating too little had never really been a problem before.

The other thing I wanted to mention, if you have to give up breastfeeding, remember it isn't the breast that creates the bond when feeding.  It is the snuggles, looking into the baby's eyes, talking to the baby, etc that creates the bond.   Yes the milk comes from you when you breastfeed and that is powerful, but you can take the breast out of the equation and still have an amazing bond with your baby.

Answer

Are you seeing a lactation consultant?

how can I produce more breast milk?

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