Increase milk supply recommendations please

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

Hello Ladies,
I'm desperate to increase my breast milk supply.
I am having to top up with formula as babies still always hungry after feed.

I've already got a pump which I use after each feed to try and increase supply.

My boobs never feel full or heavy, my twins are five weeks now and I don't want to loose my breast milk.

I would love to hear what supplements you used and if they worked?

I have heard of fenugreek and brewers yeast? Would you buy them from Holland and Barrett?

Any advice welcome

Have you been seen by a BF expert?

Plenty of water and oats for you. As much time as possible for your babies at the breast. The more they feed, the better your supply.

The first question to ask is are the babies putting on weight?

Who recommended to you to top up with formula? Usually the advice if they still seem hungry after a feed is to put them on to the other breast. Sometimes they do this for hours, switching from one side to the other and it helps to increase your supply - have a look at "cluster feeding". If you can stop the formula top ups and just keep putting them on the breast that will stimulate your milk supply better than pumping.

Also with breasts not feeling full, that's fine sometimes they dont - is that the only clue that you think your supply is low? It might just be that you have twins and so with feeding both of them your breasts are always being emptied (this is a good thing) so they don't get to the stage of feeling "full".

Are babies putting on weight? Do they have plenty of wet and dirty nappies?

The best way to encourage milk supply is to stop topups and pumping, and out baby to breast as much as you can. Especially overnight where your body is producing prolactin, the hormone that encourages milk.

Basically you need to get into bed for 2/3 days and just feed feed feed. Top off so you can have skin to skin with the babies and get your dh to bring you supplies.

Babies cluster feed a lot at this age, they’re stimulating your milk supply to how much they need. That doesn’t mean they need a formula top up. As long as they’re gaining weight, having lots of wet and dirty nappies, are alert when awake and their fontanelle isn’t sunken they’re getting about milk.

Google an IBCLC registered bf consultant in your area and get in touch with them.

How many weeks are you? The following remedies are Indian / Aryuvedic ones and definitely work (they are usually used to help women with pcos increase milk supply) but only really up to the first 12 weeks from birth.

1. Fenugreek (i.e. methi in Hindi / Gujarati) lightly sauteed in butter (or ghee if you can stand it) and garlic. If you are near an Indian / Gujarati area then go to a sweetmart / sweet shop and you can buy fenugreek ‘sweets’ (called katlu) that Gujarati women eat to increase supply. They are bitter and contain a bunch of nuts / spices / ghee in addition to heaps of fenugreek - my sister’s supply increased after just one of these per day. Fenugreek seeds added to all your food (half to a full tsp) and tea made from fresh (or frozen) fenugreek also helps but is bitter so sweeten with honey if you like.

1. In the early days overhaul your diet - minimise refined carbs (including rice and potatos) and replace with wholegrain options. Roti / breads made from a combination of millet and wheat flour help as millet is high in calcium.

1. Plantain or Kenyan Green bananas ie the kind that mash up like potatoes (but eat these as a replacement to carbs rather than fruit). Indo -African grocers usually always have these year round.

1. Mogo (cassava root) is also good. You can buy this frozen at most supermarkets - you can boil it down with oats and fenugreek to make a porridge.

1. Drink lots of milk boiled with almonds / pistacios / cardomon / honey. You can also make Indian ginger chai as ginger can also help fight infection.

1. Garlic in everything you eat.

Swap to the other boob after a feed. Instead of formula.
Drink more water.
Eat more oats.
And if still supplemting with formula change to a low flow teat. Babies aren't stupid, and they will always take the easier option.
If baby is putting on weight ok then you can do a gradual reduction of the formula over a few days.

I found horlicks really helped me.

Rest loads, eat well & drink loads. Feed the babies lots. But rest as much as you can. I believe stress/exhaustion affects production. Good luck xx