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10 Natural Ways To Increase Your Breast Milk Supply

One of the biggest concerns for new mothers is whether they are producing enough milk for their baby. Luckily, a low milk supply can easily be remedied by following a few simple steps. The following is a list of the ten things every breastfeeding mom should know about to increase your breast milk supply. The inclusion of a supplement into your routine could help you make a dramatic difference to the amount of milk your body produces. For more information about supplements that can help you to increase your supply, the review site Research and You is a great first stop to look at what is out there. This is an excellent resource for people who are looking for reviews to compare the latest products. Most importantly, discuss any concerns or products with your doctor before use.

Skin To Skin Contact

One of the best things you can do for yourself and for your baby is to keep them close. Studies have shown that skin to skin contact can dramatically increase your milk supply. Not only is it comforting for your baby, but it also triggers the release of hormones such as endorphins and dopamine which support breastfeeding. Also, drink plenty of water

Dehydration can have a significant impact on the amount of milk your body produces. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers drink at least ten glasses of water each day to ensure an adequate supply. Breast milk is primarily made from the mother’s blood so it is vitally important to keep fluid intake high.

Include The Right Vitamins And Minerals In Your Diet

Unfortunately, most people are not getting enough nutrients from the food they eat. For breastfeeding moms, it is even more important that you are getting the right amount of vitamin D, calcium, iron, and folic acid. These nutrients are important because they nourish your body meaning you are able to produce nutritious milk for your baby.

Try Taking Fenugreek

The oil present in fenugreek seeds is often revered for its incredible ability to support the mother’s body to produce more milk. Mothers who regularly use fenugreek often report an increase of up to 900% in the amount of milk they are producing. An easy way to include fenugreek into your diet is by taking a supplement.

Co-Sleeping

Co-sleeping is probably one of the easiest things you can do to increase your breast milk supply for your baby. Your baby will be able to feed on demand, you will both be more comfortable and you will be able to get more sleep. The more stimulation your breasts receive the more milk they produce to keep up with the needs of your baby.

Brewer’s Yeast

This healthy natural supplement is safe for mothers to take while breastfeeding. Brewer’s yeast is naturally high in vitamin B, protein and iron. These are all nutrients that your body needs to make milk. Additionally, many people believe that taking brewer’s yeast can alleviate fatigue and symptoms of depression. People who regularly use this supplement also say that the condition of their hair and skin improve after continued use.

Have Oats For Breakfast

Studies have shown that oats are a powerful galactagogue. In other words, this is a food which stimulates and increases the flow of milk. Additionally, oats are high in iron, zinc, manganese, and calcium. It is an excellent source of fiber and it contains plant estrogen. Plant estrogen has been found to stimulate breast tissue and increase your breast milk supply.

Avoid Formula Top-Ups

Giving your baby additional bottles of formula when you think you do not have enough milk for your baby could be the beginning of a low supply spiral. Formula leaves babies feeling fuller for longer than breastmilk does as your baby can not metabolize it as quickly as your milk. So your baby is not hungry as often which means that you are not putting your baby to the breast as often and so your body begins to make less milk. Although no one wants their baby to go hungry, formula should only be seen as a last option.

Trust Your Body

Stressing over the amount of milk you are producing will not increase your supply. Rather focus on things that you can do to boost your milk supply and remember that the sole purpose of your breasts is to feed your baby. Your body knows what to do and with adequate support, you will increase your breast milk supply in no time.

Mother Breast Feeding 6 Year Old

December 12, 2010 by Rhonda Gales

When should a mother stop nursing her child? Is 6 years old beyond the appropriate age limit? Amanda Hurst in the UK doesn’t see a problem with her 6 year old breast feeding. As a matter of fact, she’s breast feeding both her 6 year old and her 5 five month old. Amanda said, she nurses both of the children in the morning because it’s cold and she doesn’t want to get up. I find that to be a rather odd reason for nursing a six year old. Most people would find that statement to be an indication of laziness.

Furthermore, does it warm up as the day goes on inside her home or does she have to get up eventually and turn up the heat? If she has to eventually get up to turn up the heat, why doesn’t she do it and feed the child a bowl of cereal, oatmeal or pancakes? Better yet, why doesn’t she have her husband turn up the heat before he leaves for work. The house would be warm by the time she gets up with the children.

We all know that breast feeding has been proven to be better for babies, but this post is about a 6 year old. In addition to still nursing her 6 year old because it’s cold, Amanda said she just couldn’t turn her son away when she tried to wean him at 3 years old. When her second son, William, was born and she decided to nurse him too. However, Jonathan wanted to continue as well. It’s rare that she nurses both of them at once because of the difficulty, but yes on occasion she does.

Now Jonathan has a 7 year old girlfriend. He goes to school, tap dances, swims and attends Beaver Scouts. He’s your typical 6 year old. If so, than why in the hell isn’t he drinking milk at the table in the morning? I never breast feed my daughter. I developed a relationship with Similac. But, my daughter turned out just fine.

Additionally, I don’t buy breast feed children are more intelligent. She’s highly educated. She graduated with honors from both high school and college. As a matter of fact, I will be hosting a party for her next month to celebrate her new Masters Degree. She will be moving on to her Ph.D. She was quite healthy as well. Typical colds, ear infections that most kids experience growing up. Now my grandson was breast feed, and he has had more colds than I care to count. I don’t knock breastfeeding, I believe it’s a mother’s choice and neither is better or the worst for their decision.

Amanda says, “I do question the decisions I make and wonder whether I’m right or wrong. But it’s parenting, there is no manual, I don’t think there is a “right way”. I beg to differ on this decision. From one mother to another, parenting is difficult. There is no manual, but at times common sense comes into play. Amanda admits she’s lazy, “I think I’m quite lazy,’ she says. ‘I’d have gone crazy having to sterilize all those bottles. Breast milk is always the right temperature, right consistency and it’s always there, on tap”.

Laziness is not an option in my house. At 5 months, an infant is still dependent on their mother for nourishment, but a 6 year old is old enough to get nutrients and vitamins from appropriate table foods. Get with it mom, remove your 6 year old from your breast. “Lellow”, Jonathan’s made up word for breast milk, is no longer cute.

Do you think it’s appropriate to nurse a 6 year old? Please leave us a comment, we would love to hear from you.