Low Milk Supply
Many breastfeeding mothers worry about having enough milk for their baby. The good news is most mothers can make plenty of milk.
Low milk supply may happen:
- If you limit your baby’s breastfeeding sessions
- If you give your baby infant formula instead of breastfeeding
- If you give your baby solid foods before they are 6 months old
- If your baby is not feeding often enough
- If your baby is not latching well
- If you are stressed or not getting enough sleep
What you can do:
- To increase milk supply, empty your breasts with each feeding
- If your baby does not drain your breasts, pump after each feeding
- The more often you empty your breasts, the more milk your breasts will make
- Breastfeed often and let your baby decide when to end the feeding
- Offer both breasts at each feeding
- Have your baby stay at the first breast as long as they are still sucking and swallowing
- Offer the second breast when your baby slows down or stops
- Massage or compress your breasts while your baby is latched to help release more milk
- Avoid giving formula or using pacifiers
- If you need to feed your baby a bottle, offer your expressed milk
If the tips above don’t help, check with your healthcare provider to make sure there aren’t any medical issues that could be decreasing your milk supply.
