Boosting Milk Supply

I had to learn to feed two! 

Nursing my firstborn was so easy that I didn't even realize there could be issues breastfeeding. Of course, I had the cracked, bleeding nipple stage in the beginning, but we latched easy within seconds of birth and my supply always matched baby. It was just natural.  In fact, nursing became my go to parenting skill. Cold baby, nurse. Hungry baby, nurse. Vaccines, nurse. Sick baby, nurse. Tired baby, nurse.

Flash forward to my twins the second round, It. was. not. easy. It has not been easy.

Aside from other issues, maintaining my supply has been a full-time job this round. The girls don't nurse on demand well because I have one baby who can't latch.  This means, I not only have to produce enough milk to exclusively feed two, but I have to somehow communicate that to my body when I only have one baby latching. 

We are now five months solid into breastfeeding and while the path has not been easy, it has been successful. We are now introducing our first foods so the pressure has officially come off my boobs a little. Phew! Along the way, I have learned some highly effective tricks for increasing supply. Assuming there are others who dont just naturally produce fountains of breast milk, I will list them in their order of effectiveness for me.

1) Water!

Make sure you are drinking enough water. Breast milk is 90% water.

2) Power Pumping.

Power pumping is 1-2 hours of pumping 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. This is the most boring tool of all, but, it is by far the most effective. I power pump daily. This means I put all of the kids to bed, shower and straighten up, and then from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm, I sit and pump. I hate it! But it simulates a baby cluster feeding and even if you aren't lactating for each mini pump, you are tricking your body into thinking baby is growing and needs more milk. The reason I do this daily is by power pumping, I can skip pumps during the day. Instead of pumping every 1-2 hours as recommended, I can limit my pumps to one morning, lunch and evening pump and skip the every 1-2 hours or midnight pump.

3) Fenugreek.

Take a minimum of 2,000 mg 2x daily.

I buy the Nature's Way brand because it is about $6.
The '"breast feeding" brands can price well over $25. 

4) Lactation Shake

I make my own mostly because they can be so pricey. Plus, I happen to like my recipe. I add 1/4 cup of cooked oatmeal, 1/2 cup of spinach, milk, blueberries (optional) and plant based protein powder. Then blend together and drink. I will use as a breakfast replacement or drink during my power pumping sessions. What I love most is it give my milk a slightly green color from all of the veggies. I have to admit that is satisfying to know my babes are benefiting from the extra veggies.

Breast feeding, kid safe and plant based
protein powder for less than $25 on Amazon. 

5) Dark Beer

I only use this method when "I am in trouble."  Stress, exhaustion, being sick, or off routine significantly effect my supply. If I have a drop, I will drink 1/4-1/2 a bottle of dark beer for 3-4 days while pumping. The beer has a couple of qualities that helps both increase production and encourage let down.

In addition to these tips, if you are pumping, you have to make sure you have good pumping technique. For example, leaning slightly forward while pumping, massaging breasts throughout sessions, using clean pumping gear, checking lines for fluid, maintaining a tight suctions, etc. There are a few other things to do as well, but these have been the most bang for my buck during my journey. Whether you are looking to build your supply for your exclusive nurser or for pumping moms, adding any or all of these should certainly help!

My typical morning haul after an evening of power pumping.
This is still after nursing one babe during the night.