How To Boost Your Breast Milk Supply

Breastfeeding is a beautiful way to nourish your baby and get them off to a good start in life. However it's not always easy and there may be times when you need to find out how to boost your breast milk supply. 

If your baby is not gaining weight or there are not many wet or dirty nappies, check in with a medical practitioner to assess whether supply is the issue. 

Here are some of our best tips for you if you do need a boost. 

Tips to increase breast milk supply:

• Get professional help. Ask your medical practitioner to rule out any issues like tongue tie or hormone imbalances and to check that any medication you are taking is not interfering with production. It can also be useful to chat to the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

• Increase feeds. Let baby feed on demand and for as long as possible on both breasts. 

• Get more skin to skin contact. This can release prolactin and stimulate oxytocin, two hormones that can help milk production.

• Rest and sleep. Yes, we know that can seem impossible with a baby, but perhaps family and friends can provided extra support while you get your supply up. 

• Drink more water. You have to be well hydrated to produce enough breast milk! Make it a habit to grab a big water bottle whenever you sit down to nurse. The insulated water bottles will keep your water cold but the insulated smoothie cups might be easier to drink from one handed! You could also try a hydration drink with electrolytes. 

• Eat well. Ensure you are eating a nutritious diet with lots of good protein, healthy fats and complex carbs. This is not a time to restrict food or diet. 

• Get comfy. Make sure you are comfortable when breastfeeding and you are in a good position for optimal feeding. A nursing pillow can help relieve lower back pressure. 

• Pump some milk. Breast milk works on supply and demand, so pumping some milk sends the message to the body to make more.  

Crane Baby make a single rechargeable breast pump and a double rechargeable breast pump, that deliver an efficient, hospital level performance. The reviews on this one are great with many mums reporting significantly improved milk volume. 

Tyhan make a portable, wearable breast pump so that you can pump on the go throughout the day.  You can also use a special breastfeeding bra to make this easy!

There is no need to waste this breast milk, store it in reusable breast milk bags in the freezer! Or you can also try silicone milk collection shells. 

• Relax as much as you can. Excess stress can interfere with production. Yes, we know, not always easy with a baby but call on your support team for help. 

• Eat some galactagogues! These are foods and herbs that can help increase milk supply.

Our Made to Milk and Franjo's Kitchen ranges are so popular with our mums and they love the convenience of the prepared snacks and drinks with galactagogues.

We have lactation cookies, crackers, smoothies, hot chocolate and lattes, muesli, cookie and brownie mixes as well as hydration drinks. 

• Drink some breastfeeding boosting tea. Bubba Bump have a Mother's Milk Organic tea which is full of herbs that help improve breast milk supply. Drink a couple of cups a day, hot or cold. 

We hope these suggestions help you work out how to boost your breast milk supply! Have you got any more tips to share? Let us know!   

Check out all of our BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIALS, including the new Silverette Nursing Cups which are a god-send for preventing and healing cracked nipples!

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