Stimulation and Boost Milk Supply
How to Stimulate & Boost Supply
Hi mommas, i had some questions regarding milk supply, if its possible to increase milk, or what if you start drying up, is it possible to reproduce or get breastfeeding back in full motion. The answer is YES momma, it is definitely possible. There are a few ways to do so, I’ll mention a few ways then go into depth on the “how to”.
- Power pump stimulation method
- Hand express stimulation method
- Extra skin to skin
- Lactation reproduction methods
- Latch baby as often as baby needs to feed
- Continue to hand express/pump after feedings to ensure ducts are clear of milk
- Incorporating foods that support milk production
Lets talk about all of these methods and how to use them to help increase your milk volume.
Tools needed for power pumping well are a pump or an electric pump, and what you do is set up your clean and sterile pump, start on one breast pump for 10-15, rest that boob for about 5 minutes, and pump opposite boob for 10-15 minutes and rest boob for 5 minutes, you’ll step and repeat this process for about an hour, this method stimulates your ducts, tricking your body into telling your brain to make more milk because you’re empty and all out.
Hand expression method is similar to the power pumping method, for this you’ll need a hand held manual pump clean and sterile and your hands! Thats all! You’ll first want to stimulate your nipples, mimicking how your baby would stimulate them. Then you start with boob of preference, taking opposite hand to opposite breast and shaping hand like a C, you’ll cup breast tissue with middle, ring and pinky finger, using pointer and thumb placing on areola kind of at the base of your nipple push breast, back towards chest wall, and kind of naturally pull breast forward squeezing boob gently, and milk should/will eject. You would step and repeat this process until boobs are no longer full, and empty, you can continue stimulating and telling your body to make more milk.
You can also incorporate some extra bare skin to skin times. Skin to skin is great for baby and well mom too. Baby most importantly is able to regulate their body temperatures, stimulations, and hormones, skin to skin helps both baby and mommas body communicate sending messages to each other on what to do, how to do it, and what your baby needs from your body! The connection between momma and baby is absolutely amazing.
Latching baby quite often or an extra 2-4 times if able to, this will tell your body to make more milk. Your babies stimulation, will send messages to body and brain, along with baby kneading boobs too and allowing baby to squeeze ducts as well. They know ALL the RIGHT things to do. As long as baby has been breastfed and doesn’t mind working for their milk. Incorporating more latches, is more stimulation for body and brain, tricking it to make more milk.
Continuously hand expressing, or pumping after feedings is another method mommas can try to over stimulate ducts, and body. Since your baby was latched and cleared you pull out your electric pump, or hand expression tools, and further stimulate. Milk may not eject or express, the point of this is telling your body its and emergency and my baby needs milk ASAP, we’re all out, this can/will signal body to hurry up and make milk baby is hungry.
You also incorporate foods that support and boost milk supply. Soft fibrous greens like spinach. WATER is an essential part of helping body make breastmilk. You can also eat our lactation snack here at made me milk, that can help you make some hearty milk for your little one!
Lastly, another option that is out there is relactation methods/medicine. This method you’d speak to your provider and inquire about it. There are over the counter methods as well, its what you momma are comfortable with. If I personally did not have the knowledge i have when it comes to this topic of breastfeeding, i’d reach out to my provider if i needed relactation methods/medicines. However this method would personally be my last resort.
Also mommas, you will know when your production has increased, signs are fuller boobs, like picture above, leaking boobs, or bodily responses to baby if they cry, or it's feeding time, you boobs may start to leak and milk can literally start running out like a stream!
Time to chime in Mommas, did you milk supply ever lack or dip? Were you able to continue your journey? and how did you overcome this breastfeeding challenge? Chime in with your experiences.
https://www.forbes.com/health/womens-health/natural-ways-to-boost-milk-supply/
Made Me Milk Momma Chatta
