How I fixed my low breastmilk supply

If you are reading this struggling with low milk supply, oh I am so sorry. I firsthand know the heartbreak and pain that you feel. Of feeding a baby for 40 minutes and having them scream for more 10 minutes after you’re done. Of feeling like your body is inadequate to take care of your baby. When my baby was born, that was my reality. I had to supplement a few ounces of donor milk each day for his first few weeks. However, I was DETERMINED to get to the point where my baby was getting all his milk from me. By the time he was 3 or 4 weeks old, he has been able to eat exclusively my breastmilk (and he is now almost 5 months old).

Here is what I did to increase my supply:

Pumping for 10 minutes after most feeds. This act tells the body that your baby didn’t get enough and needs more milk, and is a signal to produce more. Yes, doing this is a lot of work. However, you will not be doing this forever. It often takes just a few days to notice a big difference.

Cluster feeding. Letting baby cluster feed does wonders for your body learning how much milk baby needs. The more milk removed, the more milk produced. Sometimes I would have to keep switching my baby from one side to the other if he was acting like he was still hungry after I had just finished feeding him. I know, these days are some really hard days! But they don’t last long, and they sure do pay off.

Power pumping once a day. For example, pumping for 20 minutes, off for 10 minutes, pump for 10 minutes, off for 10 minutes, pump for 10 minutes. This process makes your body think your baby is cluster feeding, and needs to produce more milk.

I began taking Earthley’s Mama's Magic Milk Boost tincture 3 times a day. Within 2 days of taking this tincture, I was able to stop using supplemental donor milk. I took this tincture 3 times a day for a month, then gradually decreased to 2 times a day, 1 time a day, and now I no longer need it. I have recommended this tincture to multiple women who have all noticed a difference. I will always keep a bottle on hand though in case my milk supply were to drop from illness or any other reason. I would highly recommend any pregnant mamas to have this tincture on hand, because when you need it, the last thing you want is to wait to have it shipped to you.

Eating enough calories and protein and drinking tons of water is also extremely important. Breastfeeding mamas need AT LEAST an extra 500 calories a day!

I’m confident that my main problem with milk supply was my son’s lip and tongue ties. These ties made my first 2 months of breastfeeding extremely difficult and painful. Feeding him all day, every day brought on the toe-curling, feet sweating type of pain. It was absolutely miserable and honestly, depressing. I thought I had to choose between fulfilling my goal of breastfeeding my son versus not being in so much pain many hours a day.

It took seeing a third lactation consultant to finally diagnose my baby with a lip and tongue tie. These ties cause restriction in baby’s ability to draw out enough milk. (Milk removed = more milk produced.) I cannot stress the importance of finding a lactation consultant who is knowledgeable regarding lip/tongue ties, especially if you are having severe pain while nursing (like I was). The first 2 lactation consultants I saw said that my son did not have a lip or tongue tie, and had no explanation why I was having so much pain with breastfeeding. Pain with breastfeeding is not normal, especially after the first few weeks. (If you live in NE Ohio and need a recommendation for a great LC, feel free to reach out here or on Instagram.)

Breastfeeding has been the hardest part of motherhood for me. After finding the right lactation consultant, getting the lip/tongue tie revised, and using the right supplements to help, this incredibly difficult experience has now become so easy. If you’re going through this struggle, know I pray for you often. I hope these tips help, but if they don’t please know that is okay. Sometimes the toll it takes on your mental health is not worth the benefits of breastfeeding. The best way to feed your baby is the way that feels right for you.