Boosting Your Milk Supply + Supplies You Never Knew You Needed
When experiencing a low milk supply here are a few things I like to do:
– Use this Recipe: 1 scoop of my favorite Milk Booster with 1 banana, 1 cup of milk of choice, I like Kirkland’s (Costco) Soy Milk and 1 tsp of this Cocoa Powder in the morning. It actually tastes very good compared to just using the booster alone! If you don’t like banana you can skip it and add 1/2 tsp more of cocoa if you can tolerate it. I have found that this combination is what tastes best for me. If you don’t like any of these items try some other mix-ins that work for you.
– (For exclusive breastfeeding) Latching baby on both sides any chance you get even if its only a few minutes. See my tips below for timing it correctly.
– (For a combination of EBF *Exclusively Breastfeeding or EP *Exclusively Pumping or both) Jump back on strict pumping schedule (Pump every 2-3 hours never going more than 4 hours). If you stay engorged for too long it can result in a number of issues such as mastitis, dips in milk supply, and uneven fat levels in milk.
Dont forget: Attaching a silicone pump to the opposite breast is also considered pumping! No need to connect to an electric pump every time. I also recommend using a hand pump because it can also be super convenient at times when your other pump parts are not clean and it can also help express more than an electric pump. (Are you aware of what flange size is right for you? If not do some research before investing in a pump or using your insurance on a pump that may not be right for you!)
Let’s talk about that Milk Booster! If you’re looking for a healthy milk supply boost that’s not in the form of a cookie you’ve come to the right place! Love Majka uses certified organic ingredients, and natural sweeteners such as monk fruit and coconut sugar. Please see website for ingredient information and allergy concerns & always consult with your physician and OBGYN or lactation consultant before consuming anything.
With that being said getting the Vanilla Chai flavor may not satisfy your taste buds alone, I know I had trouble with the taste while following the suggested mixing instructions. However once I saw the results it yielded I knew I needed to keep using this product whenever I noticed dips in my milk supply. I have a way to mix this product that will mask the taste of some of the ingredients that might not be favorable for everyone. Once I started using this product I noticed an increase in supply the same day! The best part? It’s affordable & organic! It won’t break the bank and I suggest buying more than one so that you’ll always have it handy and you get free shipping when you purchase 3. You can use code: MODERNMOTHERLY for 10% off on top of the shipping discount.
Tips & Supplies for Keeping Your Milk Supply Up
Before reading this please know that I am not a doctor or lactation consulant. If you have concerns please consult with one right away. I am simply telling my story and sharing some tips. This is what worked for me and my babies.
Please know that breastfeeding can be very challenging and overwhelming and I suggest that you have someone to help you at all times if possible. After giving birth and deciding to breastfeed some key things to remember will be:
– Your body is doing exactly what it needs to be doing.
– If you think you’re having trouble latching ask to speak to a lactation consultant right away. If you don’t like the LC be persistent, you can see as many as you need to. Utilize the hospitals resources as much as possible.
– When your baby is born they will feed on something called colostrum which is the very start of your breastmilk journey.
My second daughter was born October 1st 2020. My colostrum amount was about an ounce or ounce and a half until my milk came in on my birthday October 4th, so it took about 3 full days before my milk actually came in.
– During the first stages of life baby’s stomach is very small and they will not require a lot to sustain them so please do not be concerned with how much you’re pumping or producing.
– Your body will make the right amount for your baby at the stage and pace they are currently feeding at. Some people produce just the right amount and others are over producers.
– It is extremely important to continue feeding baby as they demand it or every 1-3 hours as suggested by nurses, doctors and LCs. Listen to your baby, and get to know their feeding cues.
For the first 6 weeks I recommend exclusively breastfeeding and then switching to pumping and bottle feeding only if desired.
– Latching your baby as much as possible is going to be the best thing you can do for your milk supply.
– I strongly recommend getting some nipple butter or balm, I did not like lanolin due to it’s stickiness and the fact that it doesn’t wash off easily.
– I suggest applying before and after feeding or as needed. Even if it says no need to apply before feeding baby you will want to as it will help prevent and relieve soreness and nipple cracking.
These are brands I have tried and liked:
- Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter
- Bamboobies Nipple Cream
- Honest Calm Your Nip Balm (Too Pricey IMO) but it works, also slightly more convenient due to packaging too.
– If this is your first rodeo I would also suggest these Lansinoh Hot & Cold Therapy Packs they are great for engorgement (Warm/Hot) and soreness (Cold). I bought two sets to have each ready for when I needed them. One set in the freezer and one set ready to microwave, please be careful not to overheat them because they will pop. Please see instructions on the packaging per your appliance.
Do not be fooled into thinking you will produce 5-10 ounces right away, that may not be the case for everyone. This is all a process and the results will be different for everyone. There were days where I only produced enough for what my baby was eating at the time and then there were days where it seemed as if I was over producing. I remember when my milk had finally come in because I was engorged. Engorgement can be very painful so it’s important to empty the breast by any means.
– You can try latching baby to help extract milk but if breasts are too enlarged and full or hardened baby may not be able to latch properly or won’t want to latch at all.
– Also baby may refuse the latch due to the fact that they may be what I like to call overly hungry.
Here are some things you can do:
– You can quickly express some milk until you are no longer engorged and try latching again.
– Or express and bottle feed if baby has reached the refusal point. (Crying, turning red. Your baby is very hungry at this point.) You can even bottle feed a couple ounces and then try latching again.
– Babies may become frustrated because they get accustomed to the faster flow and let down of a bottle vs the breast. Or other reasons not discussed in this post.
You need to be aware of the timing so that baby does not reach a point to where they are too hungry and frustrated and not wanting to latch. This can confuse you and make you think that:
A. You are not producing enough milk.
B. You are doing something wrong.
C. That baby does not want the breast.
What I like to do is keep a log of all of my babies feedings, diaper changes, pumping, and any other things such as growth, activities, and medicine. This helps me get a feel of when baby will be hungry next, that way I have enough time to prep and latch baby before they get super hungry and frustrated. (I use this app, called Baby Tracker it’s free but the paid version is a lot better because it works with Apple Watch. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-tracker-newborn-log/id779656557 )
If you find yourself getting engorged I recommend using all different kinds of pumps don’t get stuck on the idea of just using an electric pump. See my suggestions below:
– You can use a double electric pump, a manual hand pump, and a silicone milk catching pump. All three of these will be beneficial for your breastfeeding journey.
– If you ever find yourself needing a moment, which is completely acceptable ask someone to hold the baby or place baby in a safe place such as a bassinet or crib with no other blankets or objects for up to 15 minutes. It is ok for your baby to cry for that short period of time while you take a moment to breathe or do something else.
– Do not be afraid to ask for help and never assume someone knows what you’re dealing with and feeling in that moment.
Another tip I like to utilize is to stimulate both breasts. To do this latch baby on one breast and on the opposite breast put a small amount of nipple butter then attach a silicone milk catcher/breast pump. You can also use this tip to help collect milk for the next feeding or storage. If you notice that you leak this will be the best item to use so that you are not wasting any milk on breast pads. I recommend these two brands below:
Both are great but I think the Haakaa has better suction, and you don’t have to flip it back Iike the other brand before placing it on your breast. Haakaa is pricey and you will have to pay for each accessory, some are not necessary whereas the Bumblebee is one set price and comes with helpful accessories. IMO the cap does not help with spillage but the plug does, and the bag can come in handy when traveling. These silicone pumps saved my sanity and helped me build a huge backup stash for each time I breastfed my baby or toddler. You must empty and stimulate the breasts constantly during these first few days and weeks during your baby’s life. As a reminder the best way to do this will always be latching.
However some of us Mom’s have to return to work, or have other kids under two etc. So I suggest creating a pumping schedule that works for you. Even as a working mom the best thing you can do for your supply is latch the baby at least once or twice a day.
– I like to try and pump every two hours but not letting it go more than every 3 hours. It is detrimental to building up a steady milk flow. Once you have a steady flow you must latch baby at least once a day or all through the night and or pump or else you risk creating a dip in supply. (Do you feel your let downs? This is how I know I have milk ready to feed or pump. Try feeling out for this, or even if you leak when you’re near baby. Try using this moment to stop and pump using a hand pump or silicone pump.)
– My very first recommendation is to always latch your baby with sufficient timing before they become hungry and then pump if you still feel that you need to empty the breasts.
As baby is continuing to grow you may experience changes such as:
– Early teething
– Sleep regression
These things can throw off your milk supply especially if you do not have a strict milk expression schedule i.e exclusively breastfeeding, exclusively pumping, or a combination of both. I have two kids now so I am speaking entirely from experience. I am currently breastfeeding, and pumping, mostly pumping. Over the last week my baby has been showing signs of teething which has resulted in shorter or longer nap times, eating less than before, which has created an erratic schedule change for me. Not to mention the stress levels with a toddler running around doing all kinds of things. So having a milk stash has helped tremendously because this means my nana can step in and help feed the baby whenever I need a hand.
There was a week or two where her schedule changed overnight and she was not waking up every 2-3 hours to breastfeed. I then started trying to dream feed her with a bottle of pumped milk which also created a dip in my supply. This is because I stopped latching her during the night every 2-4 hours. It is okay to dream feed but I suggest latching baby to do so. Most times they will not wake up, and if they do they should quickly fall back asleep once latched and feeding. (Dream Feed: feeding baby in their sleep.)
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog post and like the tips I have suggested. If you have any helpful tips to add on please comment below I would love to hear from you. Oh, and one last thing, if you decide to change your mind and stop breastfeeding at any time that is also totally okay! Only you can decide what’s best for you and your family. The only thing that matters is that your baby is fed, healthy and happy.
Glass Bottles for Storage:
2 Pack Natursutten 4 oz Bottle Sealing caps included.
2 Pack Natursutten 8 oz Bottle Sealing caps included.
Some image sources found on Google images do not belong to me: Como Tomo, Milkology & Willow. *Some links may be affiliate links.