Increasing Breast Milk Supply

[snoopy18]

I’ve had a stressful last month & I think it’s had a huge effect on my milk supply I’m trying to increase the supply what are your suggestions? My boy will be 5 months in a few days time & he’s also started to sleep through the night.

I’ve been having lots of oats / oatmeal & barley & staying hydrated plus fennel seeds and few other things too. I’m putting him on breast every time I start a feed as he is mix fed.

I’ve been pumping every 2-3 hours today to help stimulate my body and milk I hope this works & will do the same tomorrow as husband is home from work so can help with feeds and looking after him.

Any advice is much appreciated as I really wanted to have him off formula or reduce the feeds graduallly but it feels like I’ve taken a huge step back :(

I’m also planning to do some baths this week to encourage skin to skin contact with him.

Thank you in advance

Why do you think your supply’s decreased?

The more you feed the better. Pumping should help too.

Definitely feed him from the boob first, I'd leave it a while before topping up too. Could you top up with expressed rather than formula?

Just keep feeding as much as you can is the best way to increase supply.

@BertrandRussell he’s gone through more formula this past week than before - I understand he will be going through growth spurts etc but he’s not staying on breast as long as usual before formula

@Teachermaths I’m having problems expressing and not getting much milk. I’ve never expressed lots anyway but literally nothing it coming out. I was getting a decent amount and it’s just tapered off. We got off to a great start too so it’s a bit disheartening this is happening. It’s a catch 22 as he of course gets annoyed when he can’t feed off boob as he’s hungry but his latch is still great and he’s not rejecting boob but I have to have formula at the ready as I don’t want him to wail because he’s hungry etc

Expressing is no indication of how much is there. Babies are much more efficient than machines.

I'd try and up the amount of feeds, offer at the start, then give a bottle, then offer again. The more he sucks, the more you should produce.

Don't be disheartened, you're doing your best. Even if he ends up on formula completely he's had a great start with BF.

Spend a few days on the sofa with your baby if you can. Lots of skin to skin, take your top if you can. . Drink lots of water and eat well. Ditch the formula as much as you can and just feed, feed, feed. Your body knows what to do if you get a chance. Keep your baby close to you.