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As the mother of a well fed, growing baby, I found these simple ways to increase one’s breast milk production.
To fully understand how to increase breast milk production, it’s important to know the mechanism behind the production. Breast milk is produced through a positive feedback system. Basically, the more milk that is removed from the breast, via nursing or pumping, the more milk the body produces.
With the knowledge of the supply and demand rule of breastfeeding, follow these tips to increase your breast milk production:
· Establish your milk supply by nursing early and often when your baby is first born.
· Nurse about every 2 hours but don’t allow 3 hours to pass without feeding even if your baby is sleeping. Usually you can simply watch your baby, as they will want to nurse this often. However, you may want to wake them if they sleep beyond three hours to keep your production up.
· Offer each breast to your baby at each feeding. Each breast’s milk production works independently of the other so the more that is expressed from each the more will come in.
· Be sure your baby is latched on correctly. The baby should have a large amount of breast tissue (most or all of the areola) in his/her mouth. If the baby only sucks the nipple, he/she gets less milk and less milk will be produced for the next feeding.
· Use a breast pump in addition to breast-feeding. Double pump for 5 to 10 minutes after nursing your baby. Again, the more the breast empties, the more breast milk is produced.
· Herbal supplements, like Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle and Red Raspberry or Brewer’s Yeast, have been found to increase milk production with Fenugreek being the most effective.
· Avoid illness and stress as they can decrease your milk supply.
Following these practices should have your breast milk supply up and your baby full and happy!
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