1. Breastfeed often: Feed on demand. Let your baby suckle frequently and without a time limit. Comfort nursing is a powerful way to stimulate production. Prioritize skin-to-skin contact and babywearing, both of which raise oxytocin levels - your body’s natural milk-making and bonding hormone.
2. Relax and rest: Stress can impact let-down and production. If you can, stay cozy in bed with your baby. Let go of the to-do list. Ask for help. Nourish yourself, too.
3. Pumping to boost supply: If needed, pump after nursing sessions to encourage more production. A pump on a comfortable setting can make a big difference. Think of it as signaling your body: “Hey, we need more milk!”
4. Fuel your body with milk-making foods: Lactogenic (milk-boosting) foods include almonds, oats, sweet potatoes, carrots, and peas. Adding in breastfeeding superfoods like spirulina, brewer's yeast, and moringa can also support an increase in milk supply as well as increase the nutrient density of breast milk. Just be sure to listen to your body and baby - what works for one person might not work for everyone.
5. Hydrate, but listen to your thirst: Keep water nearby when nursing. Electrolytes, herbal ice teas, and water-rich fruits and veggies help. Just don’t force it - drink to thirst, not beyond it.
Above all, remember that milk supply is dynamic and influenced by so many factors -
baby’s latch, your rest, nutrition, hormones, and stress. With support, knowledge, and care, your
Breastfeeding journey can feel less overwhelming and more empowering, one feed at a time!
