Boosting Milk Supply

Many new moms are often concerned with having an adequate milk supply. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help establish and maintain your milk supply, including massaging/compressing the breasts; incorporating skin-to-skin care; resting adequately; eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet; drinking to satisfy your thirst; and pumping after nursing.

If you’re already doing these things and are still concerned about your milk supply, you may want to try a galactagogue – a food, herb, or medication that’s used to increase milk supply. Some of the most common galactagogues include fenugreek, blessed thistle, brewer’s yeast, oats, flaxseed and Mother's Milk tea. However, before using a galactagogue, be sure that your baby is latching correctly, nursing frequently, having adequate wet/stool diapers, and gaining enough weight. You may also want to consult with your doctor or lactation consultant before introducing a galactagogue. Galactagogues should always be a last resort and used with caution.

Lactation Cookie Recipe

If you’re looking for a delicious, nutritious way to help boost your milk supply, try making your own lactation cookies. I highly recommend this recipe from epicurious.com: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/LACTATION-COOKIES-1252680

I recently brought these cookies to a Mother/Baby hospital staff presentation as a healthy snack option. And you can imagine everyone’s surprise when I informed them that they were eating lactation cookies. These are really delicious!

Feel free to browse other recipe websites for a different lactation cookie recipe or create your own by substituting alternative grains, fruits and nuts. Although there are many variations, every lactation cookie recipe should contain three main ingredients commonly believed to enhance milk supply: oatmeal, brewer’s yeast and flaxseed. 

Bon appetit!

Vickie (IBCLC)

The Impact of Medications

Many moms worry about taking medications – prescription and over-the-counter – while they’re breastfeeding. The main concern is whether the medicine will enter the breast milk and be passed along to the baby. Or in some cases, the concern may be how the medicine will affect milk supply.

Fortunately, there are many medications that are safe to take with breastfeeding. Just check with your doctor or lactation consultant to before taking anything. They will be able to inform you about any potential issues or side effects to help you make the best decision for you and your baby.
-Sue (IBCLC)

Skin-to-Skin Breastfeeding

Most of us have heard of the importance of using kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact between parent and baby) with our newborns, especially in the first few days and weeks after birth. This same philosophy is also recommended when breastfeeding.

There are many benefits of feeding skin-to-skin for both mother and baby. It truly promotes bonding and a sense of calm. For mothers, skin-to-skin breastfeeding helps milk come in sooner, flow more freely and more abundantly. For babies, skin-to-skin breastfeeding helps regulate:

• Temperature
• Respiratory rate
• Oxygen saturation level
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar

We highly recommend incorporating this type of care into your breastfeeding routine. You’ll be surprised by the impact it can have on your breastfeeding relationship.

-Pat (IBCLC)

Contraception Options

As a lactation consultant and a women's health nurse practitioner, I am frequently asked about how the use of oral contraception can affect breast milk supply. First, we recommend that you wait until you have nursed for at least six weeks or longer to make sure that your milk supply is well established before starting a hormone-based birth control.

 

Generally, most moms can safely take a progestin-only (mini pill) form of birth control without affecting their milk supply. These pills are considered safe to use while breastfeeding and have been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). However, with any hormonal-based pill, some moms may notice a slight decrease in milk supply. Therefore, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about other non-hormonal forms of birth control – condoms, diaphragm, spermicidal, IUD, natural family practice, tubal ligation and vasectomy to determine which form best suits your needs.

-Vickie (IBCLC)