Ten Ways To Increase Your Milk Supply Fast

Before I share these tips, is your milk supply really low? A lot of mamas think they have a low supply when they really don't. This is harder to figure out if you are exclusively breastfeeding, but as long as your baby is gaining weight steadily you do not have a problem with supply. Okay, enough already, on to the tips!

1. Drink more water. Seriously, no matter how much you are drinking, drink more. I go through a few gallons a day. I drink at least one bottle of water every single time I pump. Water is the best supply boosting tip I have.

2. Try to eat often and include as much protein as possible. It may be hard to sit down for three solid meals a day while trying to wrangle a baby but you need it. I always keep beef jerky and chickpeas in the house for a protein boost. When you don't eat enough, you don't produce enough. Try to eat every few hours if meals are too much.

3. Breastfeed or pump often. The more often you empty, the more chances your breasts have to refill. If you're breastfeeding, your baby should do a good job at emptying your breasts completely. If not, you can pump after each feeding. If you're exclusively pumping, try to pump until empty and then continue for about five minutes longer.

4. Try eating galactogogues. These are foods and herbs that are known to boost supply. My favorite is flaxseed which you can sprinkle in soups, over salads, and even bake into cookies. It has a slight nutty taste and it is one of the cheapest of the galactogogues. Other examples include almonds, brewer's yeast, fenugreek, garlic, and oatmeal.

5. Relax! Did you know that stressing over your supply can actually cause you to make less? Make breastfeeding or pumping as relaxing as possible. I live in a rural area with no close neighbors so I like to go sit in the grass in my backyard and pump. The cool breeze and sunshine help me relax, and I end up with more milk. Try it if you can!

6. Get in as much skin-to-skin contact with your baby as possible. Get that baby naked and cuddle! Skin-to-skin contact is so important for bonding but it can also help you produce more milk. At least once a day, I strip the Crafted Baby down to her diaper and cuddle her against my bare chest for as long as she'll let me.

7. Sleep as much as you can! I know, yeah right. Really though, you need sleep to produce milk. I sleep eight hours a night with one interruption in the middle of the night and that is enough for me. Everyone is different though and you may need more or be okay with less. Sleep as much as you can. If someone can help you by coming over and playing with your baby, use that time to take a nap. It can make a world of difference. Plus, what mama says no to sleep?!

8. Cut back on caffeine and sugary drinks. Your body may not be able to process sugar or caffeine very well and it can cause your milk supply to decrease. If you must drink caffeine, try to do so after you breastfeed or pump.

9. Make sure you have all the right gear for breastfeeding or pumping. If you're breastfeeding, do you have the best nursing bras and breastfeeding pillows? If you're pumping, do you have a hospital grade pump and a hands-free bra? Make it as easy on yourself as possible. This is especially true when it comes to exclusively pumping.

10. If all else fails, talk to your doctor. There are prescription medications you can take to increase milk supply. Talk to your doctor and see if there are any medications that would work for your situation.

Have you tried any of these tips? Do you have any tips to add?