Anyone successfully increased their milk supply?

Question

I had to stop breastfeeding my 10 week old at 8 weeks of age because she was dairy intolerant - now that I have dairy out of my system, I was wondering if you could share any tips on how to pump to get my milk back.

I put my daughter on to the breast at every feed before supplementing with formula. I have hired a hospital grade pump and have an battery pump and a manual pump I use between feeds.

I used to be able to express 100mls in minutes and now I can only get about 100mls all day. It's been four days since starting and I'm taking Domperidome (Motillium) to increase prolactin (can't take fenugreek tea as the allergy clinic believe it has too many chemicals - part of an elmination diet - you'd think the meds would be the issue???).

I fed my first for 18 months and I had an oversupply before this dairy issue decided to play havoc in our lives so I know my body can make it.

Answer 1

Ask your doctor about prescription Reglan. You can take fenugreek (are you able to take the supplement, not the tea?) and milk thistle.

Feed your baby at regular intervals and pump in between. It will gradually increase.

Answer 2

Try an herbal suplement called fenugreek, that is what my obgyn had me use cuz I wasn't producing enough milk and boy did it work!!!

Answer 3

Fennel, fenugreek and garlic will help maintaining a constant milk supply. Also you can try lots of fluids.

Feed your baby every hour to stimulate the supply

Answer 4

Massage your breast before and during pumping if possible.  This should help some.  Also try not to look at the amount of milk that you are pumping as you are doing it.  If you are constantly looking down while you pump to check on your progress I think it stresses most people out.  Stress can definitely cause a decrease in milk supply.  Keep it up and in a week or so you should be getting noticeable more milk.

I pumped exclusively for 12 months and I know that supply can go up and down.  I don' t think you should have too much trouble since you are also breastfeeding.  Just try not to stress and it should get better soon.

Answer 5

you can't pump to get your milk back - you have to nurse the baby.  the pump is punk for getting milk out and it doesn't provide enough stimulation to increase the supply.

one thing you can try is to nurse baby on one side and pump the other at the same time - the stimulation from the baby nursing on one side can trick the body into thinking the breast being pumped is also being nursed on (ie, twins) and it can trigger an increase that way.