Get pregnant and suddenly there are a million questions that come up. One of the questions that you may get is about how to increase your milk supply.
There are a variety of reasons why you may not be producing enough milk. Sometimes you may not be producing enough for a variety of reasons. Or sometimes your baby just may not be getting enough of the milk that you produce. Here is a blog post from a board-certified lactation consultant that talks about how you can increase your milk supply.
Breastfeeding Basics
Most health care professionals agree that breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby. It is the normal way for a baby to be fed and has many health benefits for both the mother and the baby.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all breastfed babies be breastfed until they are at least 12 months old, and the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least the first two years of life. For most women, breastfeeding comes easily. For others, there can be some challenges. These challenges range from not having enough milk to supply the baby’s needs to not having enough support from family and friends.
Nurturing & Supporting Your Baby
If you are a nursing mother, you probably have already experienced the joys of breastfeeding. You have watched your baby grow from a tiny infant to a beautiful, active, and healthy toddler. You have experienced the wonderful closeness and comfort that breastfeeding brings to both you and your baby. You have had the opportunity to provide the best nutrition for your baby.
But you have probably also experienced the difficulties of breastfeeding. Some breastfeeding challenges are minor, such as sore nipples or learning how to breastfeed. Other breastfeeding challenges are more serious, such as low milk supply.
Practical Steps That Will Make A Difference in Lactation
There are several things that you can do to increase your milk supply. I’ve listed five practical steps you can take to help increase your milk supply and get the lactation process started. I’ve also listed five practical steps you can take to increase your milk supply.
- Understand what is happening with your breast, body, and mind.
- Figure out what is normal for you, and what is not.
- Identify what might be interfering with your milk production and start to remove or change them.
- Learn how to use your breast pump and how to hand express your milk.
- Start to get your baby to latch on properly.
Breastfeeding is hard, and the key to improving your supply and your baby’s latch is to work with a board-certified lactation consultant who will work with you and your baby, helping you achieve your breastfeeding goals.