How to Build a Great Milk Supply

When you give birth, it seems like the hard part is over, right? Not always! For some women feeling comfortable with breastfeeding can be tricky, and so can maintaining a good milk supply. Especially if doctors are worried about your baby losing too much weight in those first few weeks.

The good news is that with some support and guidance; building your milk supply doesn’t have to be something to stress about. After breastfeeding three kids, including twins, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about nursing, pumping, and building your milk supply.  I also was lucky to have some great lactation consultants coach me along the way and help me learn how to build a milk supply and produce more breast milk.

Below are some tried and true tips on how to increase breast milk production fast:

1. Nurse often and on demand.

The best advice I got to boost milk supply as a new mom was to nurse my new baby as much as she wanted.  Now is not the time to worry about schedules or routines. Your baby is building your milk supply in those first twelve weeks, so feel free to respond to his or her cues and nurse on demand. If you are pumping like I had to with my twins, aim for every 2-3 hours around the clock.

2. Stay hydrated and well-nourished.

Caring for a new baby can be a lot of work, so it’s easy to overlook your own nutritional needs. If you want to build and maintain a good milk supply, it’s crucial to eat nutrient-dense foods and to hydrate constantly. I used to nurse with a big water bottle next to me.

3. Use Fennel Seed, Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle.

These supplements provide natural lactation support that can help you increase low milk supply quickly. Our Lactation Support combines these three key herbs to increase breast milk, along with vitamins to fortify your milk. I found these herbs to be very powerful in quickly boosting my supply during stressful times, when I went back to work or when my baby’s demand went up.

4. Get some rest.

Yes I know, it’s hard to put down your angelic newborn to go nap, but your body is recovering! I always found after a good nap or nights sleep, my milk supply would be instantly boosted. Let your partner or another caregiver take over for a bit so you can rest.

5. Make lactation cookies.

You’ve earned some cookies, mama! Special lactation cookie recipes use ingredients like oats and brewers yeast to boost supply while tasting delicious. I was ever grateful when a dear friend dropped off some freshly baked lactation cookies when I was home from the hospital.

6. Transition to our Postnatal Vitamin.

You may think once you’ve given birth, you can ditch those vitamins. Experts say to keep taking your vitamins throughout the duration you are breastfeeding as well, to replace essential nutrients and minerals. Our Postnatal Vitamin makes it easy to replenish vitamins and nutrients lost during pregnancy and birth, combat baby brain and helps to alleviate postpartum depression.

Follow these natural ways to increase breast milk when your baby is little and you’ll be on track to establish a plentiful milk supply to last the duration of your time breastfeeding. If you’re running into problems or need some advice, don’t hesitate to contact a lactation consultant. They are specially trained to evaluate, correct and support your breastfeeding relationship with your baby.

Cheers to healthy babies and happy mamas!

~ Liz Batman