breastfeeding tips

[Moon777]

hi all, with my last kids I didn’t have a very successful journey of breastfeeding, due to blocked milk ducts and other things, that got in the way of limiting milk supply. Can anyone give any tips on how to keep up the milk supply to get through at least 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding- also if milk is coming through, at that stage should you express or feed baby on demand? Are there any specific foods or lactation tips anyone can recommend to increase the milk supply? Many thanks 🙏

[Gardener11]

hi there, I can only speak from my own experience breastfeeding but I was encouraged by hospital staff to pump 8x a day for the first 48hrs after birth because they were concerned my milk wasn’t coming in. I did do this and have never suffered a supply issue, however I do not believe it was necessary but maybe it could be useful if you feel you may have issues with supply. I also fed on demand. My health visitor suggested using an electric toothbrush to work out blocked glands as well. I also pumped just to take the edge off if my boobs were full but baby didn’t need a feed, that way I reduced my chances of being blocked up. Also gives you a good freezer stash.

I’m afraid I don’t know of any foods that help increase supply but there are some herbal things such as sage tea that will limit supply so I would just suggest to always check online before having anything that’s not ‘standard’.

Perhaps see if you can access a lactation consultant- I saw one through a charity and they helped tremendously with my breastfeeding journey (which was a big battle until my baby was 12weeks). He is now 10months and still we are both loving the breastfeeding so I wish you the best of luck. Please don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t support your decisions, there are plenty of people out there who feel they can tell you what you need to do. It is always your choice 😊

[Moon777 in reply to Gardener11]

Thanks this is so helpful, will give the pump a try as well to try store away expressed milk and prevent blocked ducts happening. Love this forum- feel so supported, thanks all 🙏 & amazing progress with your baby, keep going mama!

[Beacon78]

Hi there. I harvested colostrum for 2 weeks before the birth. I’m pretty certain that helped me to feed without issue when my little one arrived. I fed my little one who is now 10 months on demand. If I ever felt too full I just expressed some milk by hand. My friend who is a doctor always recommended eating oats (flap jacks) and ice cream to increase milk supply. Hope everything goes well for you. X

[Moon777]

hi can I also ask which pump you used? I think the medella one is the recommended one but if you tried anything different and it worked well please let me know thanks 🙏

[Gardener11 in reply to Moon777]

Medalla freestyle is the one I use and have had great success with. Luckily I was given it second hand, I have also tried other less expensive pumps such as the mésela swing but had mixed results so to me I’d spend the money because it’s a lifesaver when breastfeeding. I also can’t express by hand very well so it really has helped.

[Purpledoggy]

Hops are an old school galactogogue. So alcohol free beer (preferably an ale type or at least well hopped lager) might help and definitely won’t hurt. In the first 1-2 weeks, as much skin to skin as possible (not sure how long PP you are) and on-demand feeding. If you can manage cluster feeding without topping up with formula as much as possible that will also help (easier said than done when it goes on for hours and hours into the middle of the night). Xx

[alohalu]

I disagree that the pump helps. Nothing gets milk out as efficiently as a baby. Therefore getting the baby on the boob is the most efficient way to increase supply. I breastfed every hour day and night for the first weeks, once the supply is settled you can start adding pumping sessions and bottles. And of course eat and drink plenty, but there’s no specific foods that will help.

[Seb9]

My only above is that it's the happy love hormone that produces milk, so try to make sure when you're feeding that you're not feeling stressed. Lots of soppy movies and romcoms during feeding and trying to be as relaxed and feeling the love. Make sure you're getting some rest and some nice warm showers and baths. I also lived on chocolate hobnobs which although not scientific, I'm sure they helped me feed my two for over a year 😉Good luck with it and try not to worry, or feel guilty. It doesn't help your supply and your baby will be loved and fed, regardless of whether its breastmilk or formula xxx