Breast feeding uping milk production?

Question

I am breast feeding a growing 4 month old.

I mean growing she weighs 16 pounds.

I am also supplementing an 8 month old preemie.

When pumping I discovered that one breast pumps a lot less.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi.  It's quite common for one breast to produce more milk than the other. If you are a rightie, it's probably your left that produces more.  I would suggest to call your hospital, pediatrician or a lactation consultant.  I was told by my lactation consultant that a warm shower or bath will help your flow, and believe it or not, cabbage leaves!  Don't cook them, but warm them (microwave no more than ten seconds, wrapped in a paper towel and be sure they are not hot).  MY doctor also told that a beer (only one) will also help stimulate the milk flow (something to do with the yeast, I believe, besides the fact that it will help YOU to relax).  I wasn't able to do that, because going without beer for nine months made me too woosy on just one).  But every doctor feels differently about that, so please check with your own doctor beforehand.  Also, be sure to pump in a relaxing atmosphere, with "mood music", soft lighting and in a rocker, if at all possible.  Feeling rushed or stressed will not produce a good flow.  And yes, the more you pump/feed, the more you will produce.

When I pumped, I got almost twice as much from my left as my right, and when feeding I would start on the right and finish up on the left.  

Good luck mommy, you are doing the very best thing for those precious babies.  My daughter got my breastmilk for 8 months, and she has had only ONE ear infection her whole life and has gotten sick (colds only) maybe once every 18 months or so.  I also attribute her extreme smarts to that good beginning as well (she started Kindergarten a year early and just finished sixth grade high-honor roll!)

GOOD JOB MOM, KEEP IT UP!!!

Answer 2

What's worked VERY well to get my milk supply up is a pretty simple plan;

1) 8-10 glasses of water per day. This is recommended to all people, but its especially important when you're breastfeeding -- since your body will naturally take the water it needs to keep YOU alive, then the rest goes into making the milk for your child. Its important to keep as much water/juice/milk or other liquids in you as possible!

2) Oatmeal. Eat 1-2 servings of oatmeal per day (I eat a bowl every morning for breakfast) and it increases your supply dramatically.

3) Vitamins. If you still have your pre-natal vitamins, they'll be fine! Take one Multivitamin per day that's designed for Mothers, women or breastfeeding mothers -- either/or.

4) Pump and/or have your babies eat as much as possible -- ESPECIALLY from the breast that doesn't produce as much. I had that problem before too, my left breast always produced more than my right.. UNTIL I started to pump and feed off of my right more. It really balanced me out (and I don't have lop-sided, uneven b*****s anymore! LOL)

I have a bit of overactive letdown, where as I produce more than my son needs.. Its really bothersome at times (and messy), but having more milk is better IMO than NOT having enough to feed our babies. And he's also growing so fast that he's starting to require the extra milk I've already been buildng up.

If anything, go in moderation and once you get enough to satisfy your babies and yourself, then stop the stimulation and level everything back out.

It works! My son is proof enough, he's not even 2 months old yet, and he already weighs almost 14lbs on breastmilk alone!! =)

Good luck to all three of you! <3

Answer 3

Lopsided! What can I do?

...When baby prefers one side, or when supply or breast size is greater on one side

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/...

Answer 4

That is often just the way it is. Usually one side just makes more milk. There is not really much you can do about this. You can try taking herbs that improve supply, but it doesn't really sound like you have a supply issue if you are (essentially) nursing 2 kids! Good for you for providing the best for these babies!

Answer 5

To increase milk production pump after each feeding.... also drink lots of water.. also if one breast produces less try feeding ina football position on that breast and in a cradle postion on the breast that produces the most milk