Does drinking lots of water help with milk supply?

[Bernie]

Just wondering as my neiughbour says she would be drinking 2 and a half litres of water a day when she breastfed and she was always full and leaking.Im drinking about 4 pints of water a day at the mo and i havent noticed any difference my breasts always seem soft and always have been and i have been B/F my LO for nearly 7 months now

 

[wishes]

I dont think it would increase your milk at all.... but you must drink lots to stop yourself getting dehydrated. Your body will give fluids to bubs before you which is why it is so important.

I think milk supply is only increased by hormonal changes that are stimuated during feeding.

 

[mommyof3co]

Drinking lots of water actually does help your supply, my midwife recommended that I drink 3liters of water a day while preg and she told me to keep it up while nursing too

 

[Mervs Mum]

According to my Association of BFin Mothers training it doesnt. BUT it IS recommended to keep you hydrated and in good condition generally

 

[mommyof3co]

I don't know...worked for me? Though I just looked it up on kellymom.com and they also said it doesn't increase it. I always found if I wasn't drinking enough my supply would be lower and if I was making sure I was drinking lots of water/fluids in general it would pick back up

 

[Mervs Mum]

Oh I totally agree MO3 and for me personally, I would drink 20 mins before pumping and I saw a difference. I think that the 'scientific' explanation is that it doesnt directly affect supply iyswim

 

[Bec L]

I find it make a difference, definitely.