I am EBFing my twins (9 weeks old today!). My supply was initially really strong, then it tapered off to "just enough" at around 6 weeks. I was making enough milk to feed them both, but not getting much extra during pumping sessions. I wanted to increase my supply a bit because I am going back to work next month and I want to make sure I have a good freezer stash for that, so I did some research and wanted to share some of what I've learned.
Ways to increase supply:
- Drink TONS of water. I found that when I am not diligent about drinking water, my supply takes a nose dive. I try to chug at least 8 oz of water after every nursing or pumping session. Since I am nursing twins, I try to get in about 120 oz of water every day, at least.
- Pump about an hour after every nursing session for 5-10 minutes.
- Eat oatmeal for breakfast every day. Bonus points for oatmeal with flax (can get this at Trader Joe's or good grocery stores). I just do the instant stuff most of the time but I do like the organic brands better.
- Make "lactation cookies" - recipe here: recipezaar.com/Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Lactation-Cookies-by-Noel-Trujillo-192346?scaleto=2.25 I made these last week and OMG they totally work. I felt an increase in supply by the next day. Pretty cool, and they taste great.
Incidentally, I think the key with these cookies is the combination of oatmeal, flaxseed meal (which you can find in the refrigerator section at your supermarket) and brewer's yeast (which you can find at a health food store or near the vitamins in your grocery store). If you are concerned with your weight, I'd suggest just having oatmeal for breakfast and sprinkling flaxseed and brewer's yeast on it.
- Take a "nursing vacation" - spend a weekend with your baby in bed just nursing whenever he wants for as long as he wants.
If these don't work, these are herbal and pharmacological ways to increase supply as well:
- Mother's Milk tea
- Fenugreek (take it until you smell like maple syrup)
- Reglan (by prescription only)
- Domperidone (by prescription only; have to go outside the US or to an online pharmacy to get this since it is not labeled for breastfeeding in the US. It is very commonly used outside the US for this purpose, however.
Feel free to add your thoughts here - supply issues are a very common complaint among BFing moms, and it'd be great if these tips helped anyone to keep up providing their babies with the best! Image may be NSFW.
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