EBF - tips to stimulate poor milk supply

[ExpatMrs]

Hi
I have v poor milk supply on one side. I had all but given up but have decided to make a last ditch attempt to bring this boob up to speed with the other one (which produces fab)
(Some other background is that the rubbish boob has an inverted nipple and is awkward to feed from)
Anyway, I've been told to express it every two hours, I can commit to that, however, how long should each session last when there's v Little coming out? It's not painful so I can go for ages, just wondering if it's pointless?
Also, any super foods I should try? I'm drinking loads of water plus taking fenugreek supplements and eating avocados.
TIA

It's not unusual for breasts to differ in production, Expat. It doesn't really matter if the baby is doing ok, and most mothers find the 'good' side more than compensates. Unless it really worries you, I don't see why you'd bother tackling it. Supplements and diets and water won't make any difference. It's fine to feed a baby from one breast only if you have to....if your baby's thriving just gradually stop with the poorer side.

You can just feed from one side but if you want to put this boob in its place it needs lots of stimulation. You could try a few minutes once baby has had half a feed, like when you wind him/her, put baby on the smaller boob.

My lo favours my right boob, when she was new born it was either, but she's 2 now and chooses to leave me lopsided.

I'm hugely lopsided (have a chicken fillet in one bra cup to even me out ) so it would be nice to even out a bit.
The main reason for doing it is so that I have extra to express for leaving my DD for work. She feeds v well off the one breast and is gaining well etc etc but it seems to produce just enough for her and not any extra.

You can pump from either side to stimulate more milk. If you were to pump at say 11am every day, your boobs would think baby needs a feed at 11 and will start to tingle, therefore making more milk. And don't worry if pumping only produces tiny amounts as a pump is never as good as an actual baby at getting milk out. Keep pumping the small side, it will eventually catch up.

Maybe try pumping first thing in the morning while baby has first feed from main boob and at other feeds. You can put the pump and saved milk in the fridge and keep topping it up if you pump a few times a day, when it's a decent amount at the end of the day, freeze it

You might find baby already had a preference so may not feed from it at first, so you may have a feeding side and and a pumping side.

Advice much appreciated- thanks!

The best way to increase supply is to express till empty, than five minutes longer to let your body know it needs to make more. You can try cluster and power pumping too. You also need to make sure you have a really good pump. Hospital grade pumps are needed to boost and build supply, as they will drain you properly. What pump are you using now?

Hi Georgie
I'm using the Medela Swing

The best thing you can do to encourage milk production is skin to skin! Take advantage of the warm weather and you and baby strip to the waste and have lots of cuddles - doesn't matter how old baby is it works wonders.

Also pumping on the other side whilst feeding can help you to produce more milk than just pumping alone. Also if you have to pump while at work or while away from baby, it's been proven that looking at photos of your baby or watching videos can help you produce more milk as well!