Pump it up!

Ways to Increase Breast Milk Production

There are several theories about how to increase breast milk production.  What breastfeeding really comes down to is: supply and demand. Breastfeeding is generally a supply and demand situation.

The more demand there is on the breast for milk either from a little babe or a pump, there more milk will be made. Women's bodies are capable of adapting to a newborns desire for an adequate milk supply.  Only very few and rare circumstances with prevent a woman from being able to make enough breast milk for her babe. There are some women who are very gifted and are able to make enough milk without even batting an eyelash, and there are other women, myself included, that have to struggle to keep the milk supply flowing.

Here are tips for keeping increasing lactation

 

1) Drink 12 glasses of fluids a day:  This is so important to keep up an adequate milk supply.  In this case: water makes milk.  Don't go 1 hour without drinking at least 8 oz.

2) Pump in between feedings: Start pumping 1 hour after the morning feeding, when milk supply is at it's peak. Then gradually increase it to three times a day.  It's usually best to pump 45 min - 1 hour after emptying a breast at a feeding.


3) Keep stocked: Have plenty of breast pump supplies, bottles, or breastmilk bags clean and ready. The last thing you want to keep you from pumping is having to continually clean breast pumping supplies.  Having a good stock and washing them all at once, makes the pumping process easier

4) Get a good electric pump: Advent, Medela and Playtex all make great electric pumps. It is pointless to waste precious time pumping on a hand or manual pump.

5) Fenugreek - fenugreek is an herb that will increase milk supply. It comes in teas, pills and powder forms.

6) Mother's milk tea: Mother's milk tea is made by Traditional Medicinal and is sold at most Whole Foods or health food stores. It is also available online. It has herbs that promote lactation like fenugreek and anise.

7) Use heat: After a hot shower or after heat packs are applied to a breast, the will have more milk due to the increased circulation. Take advanteage of a hot shower or apply a heat pad before pumping or feeding.

Preparing for the Postpartum Period

The postpartum period can sneak up on us and catch us off guard. We spend countless hours preparing for the labor and the delivery but not as much for the postpartum period.  Those inital days and weeks can be very challenging even for the experienced mom, so I recommend a little preparation and planning to ease the transition. Here are a few suggestions.

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
1) If you plan on breastfeeding, set up a postpartum doula or lactation consultation ahead of time to meet with you in your home after the delivery

• Ask your provider for a recommendation during a prenatal visit
• There are plenty of doula organizations D.O.N.A and ICEA (to name a few) that have lists on their website for postpartum doulas.
•  The international lactation consultant association also has a listing by area

HOUSEHOLD HELP
2) Get cleaning and laundry help set up ahead of time.

• Due to the needs of a newborn and sleep deprivation, it's very difficult to keep a home organized and clean.  
• Sometimes it can be very distracting to have the dishes and the laundry pile up. 
• The postpartum period isn't a time to be stubborn. Take as much help as you can get (even daily) from hired help or from family for the first 6-14 weeks to do household chores and cleaning. 

MEALS
3) Get meals set up ahead of time.

• Mealtrain.com is a website that will allow your friends and family to organize meals. Most people are happy to help out in this way and it let's them feel involved and part of the birthing experience.
• Make meals in your last few weeks of pregnancy that can be easily heated up and freeze them like lasagna, sauces, baked goods and soups
• Don't be afraid to buy frozen meals. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods sell great frozen (even organic) meals.

FINANCES
4) Put some money aside. Sometimes, it's not possible, but if you start putting even just a little away week by week of your pregnancy, it can help.

• Financial stress can contribute to postpartum depression. 
• Keeping a little money aside can be a stress relief even it it's not needed.

SOCIAL SUPPORT
5) Find a community

• Connecting with other new moms can lead to a better sense of self-efficacy as well as decrease the baby blues and postpartum depression.
• The National Mother's Center Association has a list by area of Mother's Centers, groups and actives by area.
• Holistic Mom's Network is another national group that has local chapters
• La Leche League also has local chapters, groups and actives to be a part of 
• Ask your birthing facility or provider about support groups