https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:25:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733907 Wed, 10 May 2017 07:46:56 +0000 bubblegum 2733907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: That's awesome!! My milk came back and I really think that margarita I had is what screwed it up a bit.</p> <p>@maddyz: YES! Beer works oddly enough. I had one last night and during my late night pump I got my normal 5-6oz and this morning got my normal almost 10 oz. Let's give it up for beer! Helping pumping moms everywhere lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733866 Tue, 09 May 2017 20:34:42 +0000 maddyz 2733866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A beer is my goto easy little boost... having one now before bed.</p> <p>Really staying super hydrated and eating LOTS. Making 35+ oz needs a bunch of extra food. Especially when you are still regulating your nursing out put in the first few months. Your body wants to know that it has enough to keep making more milk.</p> <p>I find that I have gotten used to one of my two pumps and my body doesn't know what to do with the other one and I don't get as much from that pump even though it's the "stronger" one. It's interesting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733809 Tue, 09 May 2017 15:01:01 +0000 snowjewelz 2733809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is JUST my personal experience so far... My supply wasn't that great with DD1 and drinking the tea and eating the right foods didn't help that much. I was already so exhausted I wasn't willing to subject myself to even more pumps. </p> <p>This time I tried out supplements from this Etsy shop (very legit) and so far I've been pumping 10-12 oz total between 2 pumps (baby is 4.5 mo). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733636 Tue, 09 May 2017 09:45:49 +0000 bubblegum 2733636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@azjax: @kes18: yes I've been pumping overnight now thanks ladies :happy:<br /> @Pollywog: that's so funny that you say beer because I had one last night and the pumping since has been great! Okay so beer it is and little salt lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733603 Tue, 09 May 2017 08:42:45 +0000 kes18 2733603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for pumping overnight. If you were breastfeeding you would need to breastfeed overnight (presumably) at this young age. I would probably recommend everyone to pump or feed overnight until at least 6 weeks old. Does your baby eat at night? You should pump for every bottle. That's really the best way to increase supply and prolactin levels are highest overnight in the early morning hours. You should be pumping 10-12x a day at 3 weeks old and at least one time overnight IMO. Cookies and supplements aren't really going to do much compared to pumping overnight, increasing demand is by far the best way to increase supply. I have been pumping overnight (I pump on one side and nurse on the other) at least one time overnight since my baby was born (he is 5mo) as well as sometimes during the day the first 3 months at times and I have been able to save over 1200oz extra. When he was 3 weeks I was probably pumping 2x overnight (1-2am ish and then 4-5ish). It is a lot of work but it's really nice to not have to worry about ever supplementing. I'm planning on continuing my 1x overnight until he is at least 6mo and then going from there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733571 Tue, 09 May 2017 07:48:14 +0000 Pollywog 2733571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bubblegum: yes, it is probably the margaritas (or really the salt from the chips and salsa and other good food). I've found that any time I have a ton of salt my output plummets. Drink a bunch of water and I'm sure it'll bounce back. I found beer, water, and cider increases my output but hard alcohol has the opposite effect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733568 Tue, 09 May 2017 07:44:37 +0000 azjax 2733568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pump once overnight! Also, drink more water (I used to pump a little more than a liter of BM a day and drank about 3 liters of water and half a liter of Mother's milk tea). Apply gentle heat to your breasts while pumping. Lastly, try to do skin to skin or even let LO root and attempt to latch before pumping. My DS had issues actually nursing, but if I did this I reliably let down faster to the pump and got an extra once or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733560 Tue, 09 May 2017 07:25:03 +0000 bubblegum 2733560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: hmm I'm wondering if my milk decreased because I drank margaritas? This morning I pumped and had my normal 10 oz. ORRRR could it be because I switched back to my old pump. I was using my evenflo because my medela wasn't working but I switched back yesterday maybe that had some effect? I'll see how today goes but hopefully it goes well. If not maybe you're right and it's the flanges.</p> <p>@mrslibrarian: I honestly don't know. My bleeding has been so weird. It's been officially three weeks since I've had DD and my bleeding was okay and consistent but then stopped then came back but not anything serious and now it's stopped again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733490 Mon, 08 May 2017 21:35:26 +0000 mrslibrarian 2733490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your body makes the most milk in the early early morning, I'd definitely keep trying to do a middle of the night pump. Do you think you might be getting your period, that could affect your supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733464 Mon, 08 May 2017 20:24:56 +0000 IRunForFun 2733464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bubblegum: Do your flanges fit correctly? I had to EP for a few weeks when DD was newer and at one point felt like my output suddenly decreased a lot. I saw a lactation consultant and she helped me figure out I needed to go up in size on my flanges. Apparently it can make a difference in your output to have the right fit! It may not be the case for you, but it's worth considering if you've tried everything else.</p> <p>I'd also recommend power pumping, like @Adira: suggested. If you could squeeze in a power pumping session after you give LO her last bottle before bed time, it might signal your body to make more milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2733461 Mon, 08 May 2017 20:16:44 +0000 bubblegum 2733461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: my milk just started decreasing out of no where. Started decreasing yesterday idk if it's stress or what but I'm trying more pumping sessions and still nothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731328 Tue, 02 May 2017 11:47:11 +0000 Pollywog 2731328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bubblegum: I am so happy to hear this (as much as I am sorry for your sleep!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731322 Tue, 02 May 2017 11:30:42 +0000 Littlebit7 2731322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bubblegum: oh good!! I know its such a drag to do that MOTN pump. Its worth it in the long run. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731308 Tue, 02 May 2017 11:06:37 +0000 bubblegum 2731308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you so much to everyone! As much as I didn't want to pump at night I think that one little session and 3 AM made a huge difference already. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731307 Tue, 02 May 2017 11:05:48 +0000 bubblegum 2731307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: I followed your suggested and I really think it helped! All day today I've been pumping more than 5 oz! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731182 Tue, 02 May 2017 06:02:33 +0000 Adira 2731182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: Well, I felt like my milk was pretty fatty and Xander was always a peanut, so who knows!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731143 Mon, 01 May 2017 20:26:52 +0000 sillymilly 2731143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your supply sounds pretty good to me already. If you are pumping at say 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm and get 10+5x5 that's 35 oz a day which should in theory be sufficient even as your daughter gets older. . </p> <p>Have you tried "hands on pumping"? This really helps me increase my output. Also make sure each session is at least 20 minutes to make sure you are pumping 120 minutes a day. </p> <p>I understand the exhaustion. I purchased extra pump parts so I had 4 sets to save my sanity a little so I didn't need to keep cleaning the parts multiple times a day - I highly recommend this, especially if you want to EP for a year. Totally worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731142 Mon, 01 May 2017 20:25:02 +0000 Littlebit7 2731142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate to say it because I know it will affect your sleep, but I agree with the suggestion by @pollywog to add a night pump. Currently, you are basically telling your body that your baby isn't eating overnight. It's so early on that your supply hasn't been established (that won't happen for another 6 weeks or so). Right now, you really want to send a message to make more milk!!If you could I'd try to add a really early morning quick pump. Maybe hook up while you are giving a bottle to LO? Don't worry about refrigerating or cleaning, just stick all the parts in a ziplock in the fridge and leave the milk at room temp for the next mornings feed.<br /> I know it's hard. I EPd for almost 7 months. It is So So hard. Could your SO give baby a bottle while you pump? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731056 Mon, 01 May 2017 16:26:59 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2731056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it was on here, but people said gatorade helps. Electrolytes are supposed to help with supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731051 Mon, 01 May 2017 16:10:39 +0000 Miss Ariel 2731051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I wonder this too. I feel like my fat layer is small too, but I also don't have anything to compare it too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731035 Mon, 01 May 2017 15:14:59 +0000 Smurfette 2731035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I wonder if my milk isn't fatty enough and that is why my kids don't gain much. I pump and the layer of fat on the top is so small.</p> <p>I see a big difference on pumping days when I do and don't eat oatmeal for breakfast. Fenugreek and water, water, water help too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731027 Mon, 01 May 2017 14:59:47 +0000 Pollywog 2731027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, my kid was a tank. At his highest amount he'd take 35 ounces a day, but never more than a 4 ounce bottle. And normally it was around 30 ounces </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731019 Mon, 01 May 2017 14:46:22 +0000 Pollywog 2731019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bubblegum: I totally hear you. Pumping is so hard. What I did was have my pump parts clean and all assembled. I'd pump for just 5 minutes at the 4 am feed and leave the milk on the bathroom counter. I'd pump into the same bottles at 7 and then take them down and start my day. I got like 6 ounces in that one 5 minute session and 8 at 7. It was crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731018 Mon, 01 May 2017 14:45:49 +0000 Adira 2731018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bubblegum: I agree with @SKINNYCOW: about the amount too. Breast milk gets fattier and fattier, so you don't actually have to increase the amount you give your LO as they get older. I only ever gave my kids 5 oz every 3 hours when they got a bottle. I think nursing in the morning, they got more, but if you're getting 10 oz at that session, that seems like more than plenty! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731015 Mon, 01 May 2017 14:35:50 +0000 bubblegum 2731015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: @mrskansas: power pumping sounds intense but that might do the trick!<br /> @Pollywog: I'm just so tired is all. After feeding her and attending to my son because he wakes up from her crying I'm drained and ready to go back to sleep.<br /> @SKINNYCOW: you think so? I feel like DS drank almost 9oz at one point but he was formula fed. Maybe that made the difference.<br /> @erinbaderin: thank you so much</p> <p>I am going to try everything you ladies have suggested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2731008 Mon, 01 May 2017 14:10:12 +0000 erinbaderin 2731008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was breastfeeding, not pumping (I'm not sure if it's different?), but fenugreek and blessed thistle really increased my supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2730986 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:50:08 +0000 skinnycow 2730986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing that worked for me was adding in extra pumps. I tried fenugreek, oatmeal, mother's milk tea, etc.</p> <p>That being said, I think 5 oz every three hours plus 10 oz first thing in the morning should be enough. DD maxed out at 5 oz bottles and she's in the 90th percentile for weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2730985 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:48:36 +0000 Pollywog 2730985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why aren't you pumping at night? If you can get in a pump session at 4 am and another at 6 it will do wonders. My peak milk supply was at 5 am. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2730984 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:47:51 +0000 mrskansas 2730984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ate oatmeal for breakfast every day &amp; drank 100+ ounces of water. I do think that helped.</p> <p>I would keep pumping for 10-15 minutes after the milk stops flowing each session and add in a power pump like Adira suggested.</p> <p>Good luck mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/increase-milk-supply#post-2730983 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:44:59 +0000 Adira 2730983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The things that worked for me was to either increase the number of pumps a day I did (so pump every 2.5 hours instead of every 3 for example), or to add a power-pumping session (essentially pumping for an hour, but doing 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, 10 minutes on, etc).</p> <p>Oatmeal is supposed to be good for your supply too, so I ate lots of oatmeal (or you could make oatmeal cookies) and stay hydrated! Good luck. </p>