How do i get my breast milk back up? ?

Question

i gave birth 20 days ago and now my breast milk isn't as much as it was a week ago what can i do to get more?

Answer 1

Try expressing a bit of milk when the baby isn't eating. It should increase your milk supply

Answer 2

there are several things you can try. the more your body excretes, the more you will make, a supply and demand sort of thing. so the more you pump/feed, the more you will make. try pumping for a few minutes after the feedings and try to pump in between feedings. don't worry about "emptying yourself out". your body will produce as much as you need.

also, when my son got older and began to demand more milk and wasn't eating as often (and i was working full-time), i noticed a decline in breastmilk during my periods. so i began to drank mother's milk tea (totally dr approved). that really works as well.



breastfeeding is awesome! good luck with it! :)

Answer 3

Try eating chocolate!  Seriously that is what the midwives told me in hospital after I had my little girl.  They said Mars Bars help the milk to come through!  I thought it was a bit strange too but what a great excuse to eat the stuff!!! x

Answer 4

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-su...

Is your milk supply really low?

First of all, is your milk supply really low? Often, mothers think that their milk supply is low when it really isn't. If your baby is gaining weight well on breastmilk alone, then you do not have a problem with milk supply.

It's important to note that the feel of the breast, the behavior of your baby, the frequency of nursing, the sensation of let-down, or the amount you pump are not valid ways to determine if you have enough milk for your baby.

What if you're not quite sure about baby's current weight gain (perhaps baby hasn't had a weight check lately)? If baby is having an adequate number of wet and dirty diapers then the following things do NOT mean that you have a low milk supply:

    * Your baby nurses frequently. Breastmilk is digested quickly (usually in 1.5-2 hours), so breastfed babies need to eat more often than formula-fed babies. Many babies have a strong need to suck. Also, babies often need continuous contact with mom in order to feel secure. All these things are normal, and you cannot spoil your baby by meeting these needs.

    * Your baby suddenly increases the frequency and/or length of nursings. This is often a growth spurt. The baby nurses more (this usually lasts a few days to a week), which increases your milk supply. Don't offer baby supplements when this happens: supplementing will inform your body that the baby doesn't need the extra milk, and your supply will drop.

    * Your baby nurses more often and is fussy in the evening.

    * Your baby doesn't nurse as long as she did previously. As babies get older and better at nursing, they become more efficient at extracting milk.

    * Your baby is fussy. Many babies have a fussy time of day - often in the evening. Some babies are fussy much of the time. This can have many reasons, and sometimes the fussiness goes away before you find the reason.

    * Your baby guzzles down a bottle of formula or expressed milk after nursing. Many babies will willingly take a bottle even after they have a full feeding at the breast. Read more here from board-certified lactation consultant Kathy Kuhn about why baby may do this and how this can affect milk supply. Of course, if you regularly supplement baby after nursing, your milk supply will drop (see below).

    * Your b*****s don't leak milk, or only leak a little, or stop leaking. Leaking has nothing to do with your milk supply. It often stops after your milk supply has adjusted to your baby's needs.

    * Your b*****s suddenly seem softer. Again, this normally happens after your milk supply has adjusted to your baby's needs.

    * You never feel a let-down sensation, or it doesn't seem as strong as before. Some women never feel a let-down. This has nothing to do with milk supply.

    * You get very little or no milk when you pump. The amount of milk that you can pump is not an accurate measure of your milk supply. A baby with a healthy suck milks your breast much more efficiently than any pump. Also, pumping is an acquired skill (different than nursing), and can be very dependent on the type of pump. Some women who have abundant milk supplies are unable to get any milk when they pump. In addition, it is very common and normal for pumping output to decrease over time.  

Answer 5

If you are only breastfeeding then your baby is getting enough milk, you will make as much as the baby needs. If you are supplementing and plan on going back to just BF'ing then pumping after you feed will get your supply back up again.

Answer 6

that is totally normal!! your body is starting to realize how much milk to produce to satisfy your babies needs. Just by keeping stress out of your life and generally taking care of yourself (drinking lots of water, eating right, exercising) you shouldnt have to have a problem with a lack of milk. You dont need a over abundance of milk, that would be just uncomfortable. In a couple weeks, be prepared for a growth spurt, dont supplement and keep that baby on the breast.  

Answer 7

You still have plenty of milk.  Before, you felt engorged frequently, you probably leaked a lot and you just felt like you were full of milk all the time.

Now, you no longer feel like you're hauling gallon jugs of milk around on your chest, but you still have plenty.  I promise.  Your body has just become more efficient at making milk.  Right after we give birth, we have way too much milk.  After a few weeks or months (everyone's different), we lose some and we have the right amount of milk.  It's just because your body is no longer completely overwhelmed by hormones and has become better at making milk.

Right now, I'm feeling really full because my baby is only a week old.  I'm looking forward to that normal feeling after my supply evens out.  That's what you're experienceing right now.  It's normal, and it's a good thing.

If your baby is pooping, peeing, gaining weight and is acting normal, then forget about anything else.  You're doing great--keep it up!