Increasing Milk Production

Increasing Breast Milk Production and Yield

Breastmilk production is a simple supply and demand system. Increasing demand will increase milk production. If medical reasons for low or reduced milk production have been ruled out, the combination of the following recommendations are well-known to establish and boost milk production. Yield is dose related *milk removed = milk made*

Spend as much time as possible skin-to-skin with baby. Wear your baby. Share sleep with baby if you fit the ‘safe sleep 7’ guidelines. Avoid swaddling.
Feed often observing earliest hunger cues, around the clock. Wake at 3 hours if necessary during the day and at 4-5 hours at night.
Gently massage breasts right before latching or pumping. Insist on a deep latch and re-latch if necessary. Use breast compressions throughout breast feeds. Use a rental grade pump from the hospital and the correct size breast shield (flange). Consider at-breast supplementation for a few days/weeks (with IBCLC guidance).
Either pump after a breast feed or pump again within an hour. Empty breasts often, every 45 minutes is not too often at first. You are basically mimicking a growth spurt.
Repeat. Feed again. Pump again. More skin-to-skin…

Additional Considerations

Limit pacifier use or discard if possible
Try to get 1-2 more feeds in each day especially if weight gain is of concern
Reduce baby’s crying as much as possible
If early hunger cues were missed begin the feed alternatively with a small cup, spoon, syringe or bottle to help calm baby
Follow immediately with a neck snuggle with baby skin to skin up under your chin
When baby begins rooting latch again
Include hands on pumping for maximizing milk production
Using a warm compress will help yield more milk
Mothers can typically express more milk with hand expression than they can express with insurance provided pumps, especially in the early days
Boosting milk is hard work but is easier accomplished sooner after birth than later
Continue to express your milk until your baby becomes proficient at breast

Soon your baby will do all of the “work” and then breastfeeding becomes simpler, much more comfortable and enjoyable!

American Breastfeeding Foundation is dedicated to providing access to education and lactation care to ALL vulnerable breastfeeding families. If you are struggling with breastfeeding or have questions, American Breast Feeding Foundation is here to help.

René Moore is a registered IBCLC in private practice in Phoenix Arizona. Her interest and passion for breastfeeding began in 1996 upon becoming a mother. In 2000 she became a La Leche League Leader and still leads local meetings for groups she started in her area, then also became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to be able to help more mothers, babies and families. She’s been performing in-home lactation consultation visits for well over a decade and regularly attends procedures when requested by parents and welcomed by providers.

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