breastfeedingIncreasing Milk Supply

Breast milk is the perfect food for babies, but sometimes nature’s ideal plan and reality don’t seem to cooperate.  Insufficient milk supply can be an issue for moms and babies directly after birth but can also be a concern for breastfeeding moms as baby gets older, mom starts back to work, baby starts solid foods, and various other situations.

Just because the well seems to be running dry, doesn’t mean your nursing days are numbered.  Here’s a few things to try:

  • Reality Check – Keep in mind that supply and demand changes with baby’s on-going growth and development so sometimes moms are unnecessarily worried that baby isn’t getting enough milk.  A good sign that milk supply is not an issue is if baby continues to gain weight over time.  A lactation consultant, pediatrician, or other health practitioner can help you assess whether or not your supply is too low.
  • You First – Make sure you are getting plenty of rest, water, and healthy food including lots of fruits, veggies, and protein.  If you need to, ask a loved-one for help or hire a helper so you can take much-needed breaks. By nourishing yourself first your body will be best equipped to provide nourishment for your baby. 
  • Chill Out – Stress will absolutely reduce your milk supply.  Making your sanity a priority will not only help to prolong breastfeeding, but will also start setting a good example of self care for your child… Yes, she’s watching you!
  • Ask an Expert– Often times, low milk production can be rectified with some support from an experienced lactation consultant.  She can help you to determine the best positioning, scheduling, pumping, and supplementation so you don’t have to give up on giving baby the best nutrition possible.  Solutions may be simple or require a bit of dedication on your part, but these specialized practitioners know breasts, babies, and milk best.  Contact your midwives or La Leche League to find a lactation consultant near you.

  • Acupuncture –  For over two thousand years, acupuncture has been used to address low milk production and recent modern research proves its efficacy.  Chinese medicine differentiates 2 main reasons for low milk supply.  In the first, the breasts are soft and milk production is inadequate, and in the second, the breasts are distended but not flowing.  Stimulation of specific acupuncture points can trigger the body to release more prolactin, a hormone essential to milk production.  Acupuncture can also help to reduce breast engorgement and inflammation.

  •  Fenugreek – There are many herbs that can support lactation, but fenugreek, a small stony seed from the pod of a bean-like plant, seems to be the most effective.   Fenugreek is a common ingredient in lactation support products such as Mother’s Milk Tea.  I recommend a very effective herbal tincture available at most well-stocked natural food stores called More Milk Plus.

You can also make a strong tea (infusion) out of the seeds (found at stores carrying bulk herbs- like the Santa Monica Co-Op), or make a delicious stew from the recipe below with the seeds and fresh Fenugreek leaves.  The leaves can be purchased at Persian markets (in Santa Monica, CA Tehran Market on Wilshire Blvd), and if you can’t find them you can still make an medicinal stew using other greens and the seeds as below.  Keep in mind that the store bought tea is not extremely effective when addressing low milk supply.  Stick with the tincture, infusion, or stew.

Persian Lactation Stew

2 lbs stew beef/bison/lamb cubed

2 bunches green onions/chives

2-4 bunches fenugreek greens (or substitute with other greens)

1 bunch each: celery, dill, parsley

1 sweet potato or potato cubed

1 Tbsp tumeric

1 Tbsp fenugreek seeds

Sea salt

dash of cinnamon

Olive oil as needed

  1. In a big stew pot braise meat:  Heat olive oil, add tumeric, salt, fenugreek seeds, and cinnamon.  Add meat and cook until pink is gone.
  2. In food processor, or hand chop very finely all the green herbs and celery.  Add to meat.
  3. Add sweet potato and more olive oil as needed.  You may want to add some water to thin it out.Turn on low for a few hours until meat falls apart.
  4. Serve over brown rice with a big dolop of yogurt if desired.  YUM!
  • Still Not Flowing? - You’ve exhausted all the above suggestions and the milk’s still not sufficient?    Feeling frustrated about your options?  Worried about baby’s nutrition and bonding?  Read this article on healthy alternatives to formula that can be decent options when breast milk is just  not an option.