By Wendy Colson RN, IBCLC, RLC
Looking to make more breastmilk? Six weeks after birth your breastmilk supply regulates and the supply and demand system that helps you make more milk is in full swing. Depending on your breastfeeding journey, you may be concerned about making enough milk for your baby and looking to increase your supply quickly. Here’s my top tips from my career as an IBCLC:
1. Empty the Breast More Frequently
There’s no getting around this one, mama. If you want more milk you have to tell your body to make more by feeding your baby on demand or doing what I call “feeding the pump.” This activates the supply and demand system that regulates milk supply in your body.
2. Increase Skin to Skin Time
Baby wearing, baths together at home, lounging together all provide unrestricted access to breast which can boost your milk supply. Having your baby skin to skin helps signal to your body to increase prolactin (the milk making hormone) and gives the baby plenty of opportunity to have a snack at the breast as often as needed. You all heard of our loungewear, but I call the needed attire to Milk to the Max™, Milkwear, which assures you get skin-to-skin time. To do this, go topless and wear a cardigan to stay warm or choose a thin tank top with spaghetti straps ( you find these for approx. $8 at Target/Walmart). I also used to baby wear, forward facing, topless when doing household chores. Trust me Mama, your husband/partner will like this part of “milk making” LOL!
3. Add in Some Power Pumping
We discussed power pumping in this blog here on the specifics of the nitty gritty of how to power pump. It can be a helpful tool if you are gearing up to be away from your baby for a few days, and need a milk stash to keep on hand. You can also use power pumping to increase your milk supply as you prepare to return to work.
4. Galactagogues
Adding in galactagogues is a simple way to supply your body with milk making superfood! Just one BOOBIE* Bar a day (or more) replaces messy lactation teas and hard to swallow pills. Our bars have a combination of 6 organic superfoods for you to stash in your diaper bag or in your car to have on the go. For a quick meal replacement, try mixing BOOBIE* Body protein powder with your favorite milk (we prefer plant-based oat or unsweetened almond) to sip providing 7 organic galactagogue superfoods!
5. Look Out for Boobie Traps
Return of your menstrual cycle, the stress of heading back to work, and moving can all impact stress and reduce your milk supply. In order to get more milk flowing be mindful of decreasing stress triggers and increasing oxytocin aka the love hormone as much as possible. Consider a baby moon- staying close to your baby for the weekend, cancelling plans and spending as much time snuggled up together with as much breastfeeding as possible. You’ll get a much needed weekend off and a boost in your milk supply, too.
