5breastfeedingdos

I have a friend who once told me of her magical, *gallon* producing, breast milk pumping powers.  Oh, to be her!!  I’m not a super producer, at least not like that.  I have to work at keeping my milk supply up.  Here are 5 Essential Do’s that have served me well:

  1. Sleep- Get enough of it!  And get it when and where you can!  Everything else in your body works better with the proper amount of sleep. That goes for producing breast milk too.
  2. Water- Drink tons of it!  You are a two hump camel.  Your breasts are the humps and that amazingly cute parasite baby is constantly emptying them. Drink like you’re days away from your next Oasis every time you are emptied. Start with at least an 8oz glass after each feeding.  More importantly, listen to your body!  If you are thirsty, drink.
  3. Food- Eat more of it!  Not like donuts and chips “more” but, “more”, as in about 330 calories more a day than when you were a single gal on the run.  Make healthy choices in your “more”, that way it all goes to the babe and not your hips.
  4. Oatmeal- For real!  Hot porridge, and yes, even the instant stuff will do in a pinch. It really, really does help your supply.  It is pretty easy and inexpensive to get your hands on too.  Look up “Lactation Cookies” on your favorite recipe site or in a google search.  They are a yummy way to get your oatmeal in for the day.
  5. Nursing Teas- For a break!  You are avoiding caffeine because it dries you up like a raisin in the sun. On the contrary, nursing teas not only help your milk supply, but they are a warm and welcomed break from your water guzzling.  Yogi Tea and Traditional Medicinals both have one.  They can be found at your local natural food stores, grocery stores and, yes, even Wal-Mart.

So, if you are noticing a problem with your milk supply try these basic, “tried and true” suggestions for a few days and remember, “You Got This”!  Your body is meant to produce the nutrition your baby needs!