You’ve been pumping and nursing around the clock, but your supply just won’t go up. You can’t seem to get enough milk out of your boobs, no matter how hard you try. Your baby seems hungry all the time and won’t stop crying whenever you feed him. You’re also starting to worry about his weight gain because he doesn’t seem satisfied after every feeding. But you love your little one so much that you don’t want to give up on breastfeeding just yet. The good news is that there are things you can do to increase your milk production when breastfeeding. Read on to know more.
Feed your baby before and during each session.
If your baby is hungry and crying when you try to feed him, he might not be getting enough milk from your breasts. This might be one of the reasons why your supply isn’t increasing. To prevent this from happening, you can feed your baby before and during each breastfeeding session. This way, he’s less likely to be hungry and will drink more from your breasts. Feeding your baby before breastfeeding will also help increase your supply. You can try feeding him with a bottle or a breastmilk feeding device. You can also let him nurse on one breast while you pump the other one.
Make some changes to your diet.
There are certain foods that can enhance your milk production. These include oatmeal, peanut butter, eggs, and carrots. Sprouted grains and beans also contain fennel, an herb that helps increase your supply. If you don’t want to eat these foods all the time, you can add supplements to your diet as well. Fenugreek, fennel, and mulberry are natural herbs that can help boost your milk production.
Try a lactation supplement.
If you’re breastfeeding and trying to increase your supply, you can try a lactation supplement. These supplements contain herbs and vitamins that are known for their milk-boosting properties. The most common ones that work best for breastfeeding moms are fenugreek and blessed thistle. Fenugreek is one of the most effective herbs for boosting milk production. It also has a mild side-effect of increasing your body temperature, which may help your milk come out faster.
Blessed thistle is another great herb that’s known to be very effective at boosting your milk supply. You can take these herbs in capsule form, or you can even mix them into your favorite drink. You can also add them to your meals, preferably a few hours before breastfeeding. You can also try other herbs like alfalfa, anise, and fennel.
Check your latch.
The latch refers to how your baby holds your breast and feeds. If your baby has a bad latch that’s preventing him from getting enough milk from your breasts, you can try adjusting it. You can also try different breastfeeding positions to see what works best. If you’ve already tried everything, but your baby’s latch still isn’t correct, you can ask your lactation consultant to help you correct it. You can also attend a breastfeeding class to learn how to correct a bad latch.
Talk to a lactation consultant.
If you’ve tried everything on this list and still can’t find ways to increase milk supply, talk to a lactation consultant. They can help you figure out the right way to go about increasing your milk production. They can also help you troubleshoot any problems you may be facing. And if something is wrong with your baby’s latch, they can help correct it.
Try herbs and vitamins.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, herbs and vitamins can help increase your milk supply. The best ones are fenugreek, fennel, and blessed thistle. Make sure that the supplements you choose contain these three herbs. Other herbs you can try are cardamon, turmeric, and peppermint. You can take these herbs in capsule form, or you can even mix them into your favorite drink. You can also add them to your meals, preferably a few hours before breastfeeding. These herbs can be very effective at increasing your milk production, but they can also have some mild side effects. Fenugreek, for example, has been known to cause digestive issues like diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Don’t give up!
Breastfeeding your baby can be a challenge at times, but it’s totally worth it. If you’re experiencing problems breastfeeding, don’t give up. There are many ways to increase your milk supply if you’re struggling. Try the tips listed above, and you’ll be breastfeeding like a pro in no time.
