The "Increase your Supply" thread

[Keropisunshine23]

This thread is dedicated to helping us increase our supplies as needed. There are many things that affect our supplies and many things to try before one panics, so lets all share ideas here so that any worried pumping mama can stop in here and get help right away!

Post food tips, pumping tips, and equipment maintenance tips as well as any other helpful suggestions!

Teamwork, mamas! :wub::bighug: :cheerleader3:
:superhero: DS mamas to the rescue!

(I know, I'm a bit of a dork!:giggle2: :blush: )

[Keropisunshine23]

Lactation cookies!!!!!!! So yummy and so helpful!
http://www.recipezaar.com/Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Lactation-Cookies-by-Noel-Trujillo-192346

This DS thread talks about a couple different variations mamas have tried (ie, I added avacados and bananas and raisins) as well as where to find ingredients

http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=736574&highlight=lactation+cookies

[Keropisunshine23]

There are many teas that are helpful, some you can buy local, this is my personal fav blend, so yummy!
http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/product/breastfeeding-support/milkmaid-tea.html

[Keropisunshine23]

Water, I always see a dip when I am not drinking enough water!

I keep thinking of things, but I will let some other mamas share:giggle2:

[mommyz]

what a great idea!

[jenmm]

They say oatmeal can help boost supply.

[CEVmommy]

My favorite link to give out on this: hands-on pumping
http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

[theosmom]

1. I second the hands on pumping. I always use compression when I pump.
2. Get the correct flange sizes--most women are not the standard size that comes with the pump
3. Change your membranes every 90 days or sooner if you notice a decrease
4. Take a Calcium/Magnesium supplement if you get AF supply dips
5. Eat lots of good food and drink lots of water!

[MomE2MathU]

I think eating oatmeal definitely helps!

[cutebluebaby]

Oatmeal helps and so does metamucil.

[Keropisunshine23]

My favorite link to give out on this: hands-on pumping
http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

excellent link


Great advice mamas!

[Goinatural]

My favorite link to give out on this: hands-on pumping
http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

good video!

[Goinatural]

Did anyone mention fenugreek? Two capsule three times a day til you smell like syrup. I've also heard Gatorade can help.

[carmismom]

Not pumping anymore but I took lactuca virosa and fenugreek(I don't know if it is the correct spelling), it is supposed to increase your supply by 50%. It worked very well for me and others that I know that have tried it. Also making sure that you pump at least every 4 hours for at least 10 min after the last drop.

[parkers_mom]

I know it has been mentioned but fenugreek was a huge help for me.

Also, even if your baby is sleeping through the night, waking up yourself to add in a pumping session can help greatly. It is hard sometimes to get up, but once you are used to it, it doesn't seem that bad at all and can really boost your supply.

[Sasha299]

More Mik Plus was a good one for me.

I found I HAD to drink exactly 32 oz of water between pumps for optimal supply. Recently when we had over 90 deg temps I found I had to drink more than.

[kt~mommy]

what worked for me (some has already been said!)

to get up a supply for bottle feeding/going back to work:
* pump after babe nurses, wake up during the night to pump -- all for several weeks before you need it.

in general:
* never skip a session, seriously schedule the pumping sessions into your workday
*be sure you're pumping often enough. i started with every 3 hours and ended up being too close for comfort in my stored supply. i switched to every 2 hours and the problem resolved.
* stay hydrated
* have oatmeal and especially fenugreek on hand for times supplies dip or lo goes through a growth spurt.
* bring a hand pump with you at all times when spending time (even just overnight) away from your regular pump. you might think there will be no use for a pump since you are with lo. we went to visit the grandparents for a weekend when ds was 3 months old. he got RSV and pneumonia and ended up in the hospital 2 hrs from home. he was really exhausted and on lots of meds which prevented him from eating well. i had to buy a hand pump to keep my supply up while he wasn't eating so well. that was totally unexpected, but saved our bfing. we've ended up having to use that handpump several times since unexpectedly -- times when we're out of town and he's teething, doesn't feel like eating as much...
* use a double pump, you can take full advantage of let-down then
*check the speed and suction settings, you might need it to speed up or be stronger to get as much as you need.
* RELAX when pumping! don't do work! come on ds and chat about fun things ;-) looks at pics of lo. let your body go, relax, and do it's job.
* ditto on the compressions when the flow has stopped- i've gotten an extra 1/2 oz from each breast with that trick!

[wobitnobby]

everything everyone else mentioned, plus:

*A warm enough room.
* Fastidiously fix any discomfort issues with your pump, as pain and adrenaline prevent letdown.
*As much additional surruptitous breast and nipple massage as you can manage between sessions. Keep the blood flowing!
*Root out any possible milk suppressors in your life, such as allergy meds, birth control, caffeine, possibly certain herbs such as peppermint.
*Though many women benefit from images, video, recorded sounds, or garments smelling like their little one, I found the pump to be so excessively artificial that I needed to be thoroughly distracted and always did my best work while reading a novel or surfing the web.

[coasterofluv]

mothers milk tea really helps. Fenugreek worked for a while but then I got immune to it. Best way to increase your supply is to drink more water, pump more often and nurse more often.

[Keropisunshine23]

excellent ways to increase and maintain supplies, thanks for your input, mamas!