Whats best to increase milk supply?

[Jenny]

Hey girls, I've been having problems increasing my milk supply. I've stopped breast feeding and have just been expressing solely. My nipples became too sore to continue breastfeeding without being in tears (I have inverted nipples) and my breasts are quite large so its been a struggle to get her latching on properly.

I've been expressing every 3 hours and drinking lots of fluids but I'm still not producing a lot, I get 2oz's from both breasts together, I'm pretty sure I should have started producing more milk by now?

Just wondering what you've all tried to increase milk supply and which thing you found worked the best? Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[fiona-thom]

I'm a exclusive expresser:

I was once producing 25 ounces at a time, and it's now 50 oz...

So, here are my tips:

- Sleep. And Plenty of it.

- 3 Litres of water a day.

- Oats. Eat plenty of them.

- Take supplements of fenugreek and fennel.

- Express for as long a possible. Milk will not come out continuously, you have to wait for one let-down reflex after the other. These can be sometimes 10 mins apart.

- Check Iron levels, or take some form of Iron Supplement. I use a herbal remedy as not to course constipation - yellow dock and dandelion tincture.

 

[Jenny]

Thanks Fiona, I will try those.

but my god! 3 liters of water a day?!

 

[Mango]

I re-established a supply after having stopped for two weeks. I pumped as often as possible, drank plenty of fluids and took Fenugreek tablets!

 

[turbo_mom]

Other than oatmeal what else can I find oats in??? This is a good thread Im also going to try getting my hands on some fenugreek. Someone suggested that a while back but I forgot about it and I also had to stop pumping for about 4 days because my nipples were severely cracked and bleeding. I only produce about 2oz. 4 oz I think is the most I've produced. Great tips though I can't wait to try them out!!!

 

[fiona-thom]

Being from Canada, and me being from the UK, I'm not too sure.... but I eat, porridge (oatmeal) for breakfast and I have a couple of oat bars throughout the day (cereal bars made of oats or flapjack)....

Fenugreek is pretty easy to pick up here, it is in all health food shops.

Also what types of pumps do you all have on here? If you're expressing alot, def' go for an electric dual-pump. You'll get more out and it's less hard work...

 

[turbo_mom]

How long will it take for the fenugreek to kick in? I picked up the tea and drops to put in my water and started it 2 days ago.
Also did it cause anyone to break out?? i usually have clear skin but my face is a mess

 

[fiona-thom]

I can't remember how long it took me, I would say I probably saw a noticable difference in about a week. I know for some people don't think fenugreek works, so if after say finishing the drops and you haven't seen any increase in supply, well.... Are you trying any other supplements? Fennel tends to be advocated by those who seem to find no effect with fenugreek.

On the skin breaking out, well mine has been bad from birth.. So I'd probably not be able to notice a difference with the fenugreek...

 

[VanWest]

Wow Id be happy with 2 oz. Ive been pumping for 2 1/2 months and run out of milk for him now. I drink about 80-100oz of water a day and pump right after he eats. The most I get total is 30cc's-1 oz, thats on a good day. I'm about to give up

 

[VanWest]

Where do you buy fenugreek or fennel from, the drugstore?

 

[dannyboygirl]

you can get it at GNC or a vitamin store....It comes in a tea form too...